The preparations for the Floriade Expo 2022 are in full swing. Everyone is working hard on the realization of the 7th International Horticultural Expo, together with the Municipality of Almere and the Province of Flevoland, Netherlands.
Taking place from 14 April – 9 October 2022, as a visitor or exhibitor you should not miss out on the green city of the future. Director of the Floriade Expo 2022, Peter Verdaasdonk, talks about what makes this edition so essential.
A celebration of agriculture and horticulture
“The combination of three different layers in one big event makes this seventh Expo so special”, says Verdaasdonk. “The first layer is the International Horticultural Expo with the power of the Dutch agricultural and horticultural sectors and the unique collection of trees, flowers, and plants.
“Layer two consists of the theme ‘Green City of the Future’. Urbanisation is increasing at a fast pace. Together with countries, cities, and businesses from all over the globe, we show how we can keep cities attractive, liveable, and safe. At present and with an eye on the nearby future.
“The 3rd layer is the 180-days-long festival full of events, entertainment, and cultural manifestations. All of this together makes the International Horticultural Expo Floriade Expo 2022.”
The Floriade Expo starts on 14 April 2022.
Exploring the green city
But what are the absolute crowd pullers? Verdaasdonk explains: “’Explore. Touch. Change.’ are the three core values of the Floriade Expo 2022. We want every visitor, on sight or online, to be able to discover and experience new things. That you are truly touched by what you discover and experience, and notice that your thought patterns are changing.”
“You can already tell that thinking about the climate, sustainability – about treating your environment thoughtfully – is becoming part of our daily conversations more and more. We talk about it by the coffee machine at work and at birthday parties.
“It is becoming more important, especially with the younger generation. We approach it in a friendly, open, and educational way, so that people can say: this is really important, this means something to me, and I can do something with this. Together with our exhibitors, we will show these core values in the attractions, submissions, and pavilions.”
The Green City Arboretum
Another major draw is the The Green City Arboretum with an enormous variety of different trees, plants, and flowers. They all have a healthy influence on the environment in their own way, that will make a big impression. Hundreds of thousands of blossoming flowers will contribute to the arboretum with lots of scents and colours.
As Verdaasdonk says: “With all this planting, we also enhance the biodiversity of butterflies, bees, and insects that are under huge amounts of pressure at the moment. The insects will be stimulated in this newly created environment. This is important, but also very attractive for visitors to see and be informed about.”
Get a birds-eye view of Floriade Expo
“We have a spectacular cable car going across the whole site, giving you an absolutely gorgeous view of the Floriade site. Additionally, we are planning to place a few distinct artworks. We are also looking at an iconic monument or impressive sculpture from which you can look out over the site, and that is a recognizable landmark for the Floriade Expo 2022.”
Visit the Green City of the future
“The Green Event that will take place during the Expo is filled with cultural gatherings, theatre shows, parades, and live entertainment. Many activities that will create a lively and dynamic atmosphere, which you are not only watching, but experiencing. That you are submerged, so to speak, in the themes of the Floriade Expo 2022. We are thoroughly enjoying the Making Of phase. And I look forward to receiving the expected two million visitors at the Floriade site in 2022.”