On the 5th floor of the Yacht Club, on one of the decks overlooking the vast blue ocean, floral scents tease the senses as soon as the elevator doors open.
With secateurs, clippers, and scissors at hand, the 85 participants – mostly women and young girls – work diligently and meticulously on their compositions. Here, they add the finishing touch by placing a Zantedeschia aethiopica. Down below, stepping back to ensure the overall harmony of the creation.
Year after year, the international bouquet contest organized by the Monaco Garden Club attracts more enthusiasts, to the point that the event had to move from Riva tunnel, on Quai Antoine I, due to space constraints.
This year, the theme was “Celestial”. “We invited them to look up at this universe full of beauty and mystery,” summarizes Cecilia Casiraghi, vice-president of the association. Participants could compete in one of the seven categories.
Nathalie and Dominique Roussel, from Gard, chose to represent a storm and a large-scale structure (maximum height of 2 meters) using a combination of flowers and natural elements.
The use of scabiosa stellata, carnations, gypsophila, lichen-covered branches, tillandsia, and cork oak bark ensures a unique character to the final tableau. “We have gray clouds, very fluffy, lightning, and rain. It required a lot of anticipation,” one participant explains.
Others, like Frederique De Chambure and Maryse Gras, decided to sketch their ideas on paper in advance to deliver a more poetic presentation. “We work on the line and try to maintain a certain elegance,” they explain.
Passion knows no bounds, as seen with the partnership between participants from different clubs. And it’s not just adults; over 20 children aged 6 to 14 used their imagination to enhance their creations.
The competition lasts for 4.5 hours, from 7:30 AM to 12 PM, with participants then judged by a special jury led by Princess Caroline and the international official jury.
Regardless of winning, participants express that being there is mainly for their own fulfillment and enjoyment.
The program for Sunday, May 10th, includes a floral demonstration and conferences at the Yacht Club in Monaco, open to the public for free.
