From April 24 to 27, 2025, Olomouc became the heart of European floristry for the 67th time, hosting the prestigious horticultural event – Flora Olomouc 2025. This year’s edition, held under the theme “Parallel Flowers”, attracted over 60,000 visitors and presented a remarkable fusion of art, nature, and modern technology. Among the invited creators was the European elite of floral masters, showcasing unique approaches, narratives, and experimental forms of composition.
1. Main Exhibition – “Parallel Flowers” by Róbert Bartolen
The biggest attraction was the main exhibition in Pavilion A, created by Róbert Bartolen, Slovak floral master and artistic director of the event. His project, “Parallel Flowers”, was a visual story about modern floristry, built around thematic islands using light, sound, and multimedia. The installation changed every hour, creating a sensory-rich spectacle in which the audience became an integral part.
Combined with glass art by young artists in the adjacent twelve rooms, the effect was striking: bold, poetic, and at times even surreal. The exhibition showcased a diversity of approaches and interpretations, becoming not just a display, but an artistic manifesto of contemporary floristry.
2. Evening Gala – A Multisensory Spectacle
On the evening of April 24, a unique Gala took place, blending light, sound, dance, and floristry into one intense performance. Dancers moved through specially arranged spaces among water and floral installations, creating a stunning choreography of interaction between humans and nature.
Water flowing from the ceiling, dynamic lighting, and subtle music formed a nearly theatrical atmosphere that stimulated all senses. The Evening Gala proved that floristry can be a top-tier performative art form.
3. Floristry Stars – Bartolen, Ernst and Žáčková
Among the key artists of this year’s edition were:
- Róbert Bartolen (Slovakia) – not only the creator of the main exhibition but also the talk-show host and artistic supervisor of the entire project. Bartolen presented new directions in thinking about floristry as an artistic medium.
- Christopher Ernst (Germany) – amazed audiences with installations using horns, bones, and organic materials, exploring dramatic beauty and the theme of transience. His works reflected on the human-nature relationship in both aesthetic and philosophical dimensions.
- Karolína Žáčková (Czech Republic) – Czech champion and author of shows combining art glass and floristry. Her aesthetic balanced between raw simplicity and delicate sensuality.
Christopher Ernst and Karolína Žáčková will represent their countries at the World Cup Floral Art 2025 in The Hague – the most prestigious global floristry championship.
[On June 14, 2025, Karolína Žáčková will organize a floral show at the Jilek Glassworks (Kamenický Šenov) under the theme “Flowers and Glass.”]
4. Masters’ Shows – Four Days of Floral Presentations
The stage in Pavilion A hosted florists from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, and Romania over four days. Featured artists included:
- Peter Balla (Romania) – known for minimalist yet symbolically rich compositions,
- Veronika Zlatušková and Eva Koudelková – a duo showcasing feminine finesse and technical mastery,
- Tamás Vígh - impressed the audience with expressive compositions inspired by nature and traditional craftsmanship,
- Tomáš Hakl – who created spectacular, almost architectural installations,
- Eva Vaňková – a specialist in wedding compositions, bringing subtlety and lightness,
- Milan Dopita and Ladislava Sodomková – focused on potted plants and floristry business communication.
Visitors could attend presentations daily – during open sessions and special evening shows featuring the installation authors.
5. Flora & Garden Talk Show
Every day in the educational zone, discussions took place as part of the Flora & Garden format, hosted by Róbert Bartolen. Meetings with invited florists, educators, and artists offered behind-the-scenes insight into their work and creative philosophies. Topics included emotional aspects of floristry, ecological responsibility in the industry, and the development of the floral market in Europe.
6. Competitions and Creative Rivalry
Flora Olomouc 2025 also served as a platform for emerging talent. The event featured:
- Flora Cup 2025 – a competition for young florists from across the Czech Republic, consisting of a thematic bouquet and mannequin decoration. Works were evaluated not only for technique but also emotional impact.
- Bouquet of the Year 2025 – a prestigious wedding-themed contest, with the finals held on Sunday, April 27. The jury recognized the most innovative approaches to classic bouquet forms.
All competition pieces were displayed in a dedicated exhibition area, with some gaining significant attention from both visitors and media.
7. Education, Workshops and Plant SWAP
Pavilion B and the educational space hosted intensive floristry workshops, led by:
- Viola Zeithamlová – focused on wedding bouquets and delicate forms,
- Milan Dopita – presenting a modern approach to client communication, especially for weddings,
- Ladislava Sodomková – offering practical training in everyday floristry and potted plants.
A new feature was the green SWAP, allowing participants to exchange plants. The initiative was very popular and showed that the floristry community not only creates beauty but also builds relationships.
8. For Families and Children – Creative and Musical
The event was also family-friendly. Organizers prepared:
- Floristry workshops for children and teens,
- Live concerts, including performances by Bára Basiková and Rose Band,
- Relaxation and gastronomy zones, perfect for unwinding among flowers and greenery.
As a result, Flora Olomouc became a truly intergenerational event – connecting professionals, hobbyists, and families in one vibrant green cultural ecosystem.
Organization and Team
The event was organized by a team consisting of:
- Eva Fuglíčková – Fair Director,
- Róbert Bartolen – Artistic Director,
- Barbora Melničuková – Project Coordinator
Additional support was provided by Anna Pleslová (photography) and Sára Šindelářová (graphics). The strategic partner of the event was the City of Olomouc, led by Mayor Miroslav Žbánek. The event was also supported by the Czech Florists Association (SVAZ), chaired by Jakub Švanda.
10. What’s Next?
A video report from Flora Olomouc 2025 will be published in the next article. It will be a visual summary of the emotions, colors, and artistic tension that accompanied this extraordinary event.
11. Flora Olomouc 2026 – Is It Worth It?
Absolutely. Flora Olomouc is not just an exhibition – it’s an emotional and artistic experience combining floristry, technology, education, and art. Year after year, the event confirms that floristry is a fully-fledged artistic discipline. It’s worth saving the date now – because in spring, Olomouc blooms like nowhere else in Europe.
See you next year in Olomouc!
Author of the article:
Anna Janas
