The much anticipated Taipei Han Feng Bonsai Exhibition this year is held at the Shilin Official Residence Park (士林官邸公園) on October 6-11, 2023. The event is co-sponsored by the Taipei City Bonsai Association and Taipei City Government’s Parks and Street Lights Office. The exhibition showcases the rich history and artistry of bonsai, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the magnificence of nature and be inspired by its transformative power.
About bonsai
Bonsai, also known as penjing, is a living art and living sculpture made using miniature trees and shrubs grown in pots or on stones. Originating in China during the Ming and Qing dynasties, bonsai has a rich history spanning over 1,000 years. The unique charm of bonsai lies in its miniature size, which allows the artisans to meticulously control environmental conditions.
The production and appreciation of bonsai has gained widespread popularity, with a wide range of plants and containers available, and techniques such as pruning, leaf removal, and delayed flowering that showcase the skill and mastery of the grower. This results in exquisite bonsai creations of both ornamental and artistic value.
The opening ceremony of the Teipei Han Feng Bonsai Exhibition
A grand opening ceremony was held on the afternoon of October 6 at the outdoor music stage in the Taipei Shilin Official Residence Park.
For further interesting photos of the 2023 Taipei Han Feng Bonsai Exhibition and Charity Concert, please watch the video below:
The ceremony was attended by nearly 200 people, including representatives from local bonsai associations across Taiwan, along with Taipei City Government officials and bonsai masters from the United States, Japan, Uzbekistan, the Philippines, and Iran, as well as some local celebrities.
Among the distinguished guests invited to this unique ceremony were former Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮), the ambassadors of Brazil and Mexico, Mr. Miguel Magalhães and Mr. Martin Torres, and a group of people with Down syndrome from the Taiwan Down Syndrome Foundation.
One of the highlights of the grand ceremony is the display of small bonsai trees on the stage by a group of ladies dressed in colorful traditional Chinese cheongsam (qipao), along with local officials and distinguished guests.
The bonsai displayed at the Taipei Han Feng Bonsai Exhibition
Taiwan’s leading bonsai growers were invited to display more than 60 bonsai trees, which are pruned and shaped according to specific proportions to show the beauty of structure in the smallest space. The selection includes pines and cypresses from high-altitude areas, including Podocarpus macrophyllus (羅漢松), Japanese black pine (黑松), Pinus densiflora (赤松), Taiwan pine (五葉松), Juniperus chinensis (真柏), as well as Chinese Box (Buxus sinica, 黃楊), coast hibiscus (黃槿), Common eurya (翠米茶), camellia, Taitung firethorn (Pyracantha koidzumii 狀元紅) from the plains, and other fruit and flower bonsai.
The ages of these bonsai range from a few decades to a hundred years, adding up to more than a thousand years old, making them rare treasures. In addition, experts will give lectures and guided tours on bonsai techniques, allowing visitors to gain a deeper understanding of the beauty and art of bonsai.
One bonsai that won two championships in this year’s bonsai competition is a 70-year-old Taiwan pine, a rare species with a bright green color. And there is a perfect angle to appreciate the beauty of these trees, from the ground up to a 45-degree angle, which makes viewers feel like they are back in nature.
One of the masterpieces that won this year’s Han Feng Award is a seven-piece set, consisting of six potted plants and an ornamental grass, presented in a square box frame with a high and low position. The featured bonsai tree is on the top layer, which is a high-altitude Juniperus chinensis, whose trunk is curved into an aesthetically pleasing shape, and is presented as a white bony (sarira trunk), with a coast hibiscus (黃槿) as the side tree, making the overall coordination very harmonious. It took the bonsai master surnamed Wang three years to create this mesmerizing work of art. Visitors can amazingly feel the change of seasons in the artwork.
Another special highlight is the cherished bonsai of Chinese hackberry (Celtis sinensis 朴樹), which was featured on the stamps of the Republic of China (Taiwan) issued in 1990. It is depicted in a forest-like ensemble planting, which vividly depicts the natural scenery of mountains, plateaus, hills, and lakeshores.
Charity concert
As well as the awe-inspiring bonsai art, the event featured a charity concert on the opening day. The All For You (AFU) charity music group performed a diverse repertoire of enchanting Hawaiian guitar melodies, captivating oceanic dances, classical dance, and modern group favorites. The wonderful performances presented by AFU and other groups enchanted the audience and created an atmosphere of relaxation and joy, while conveying love and respect for the underprivileged in society.
Bonsai art DIY sessions
In conjunction with the Bonsai Exhibition, the Shilin Residence Green Classroom also organized a series of fun and educational Bonsai Green Classroom courses from October 7 to October 10. These courses offer opportunities for the public to learn about the care of green plants and promote energy conservation and carbon reduction. The informative sessions include “Pine Tree Bonsai Care and Demonstration,” “Seed Baby DIY,” and “Bonsai DIY,” etc.
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