“Flora‑2024”: Family Values in Full Bloom
The traditional city exhibition of gardening and landscape development “Flora” held its 72nd edition in the Vystavochny and Voskresensky Public Gardens. This year, The Year of the Family in Russia, florists focused their creative efforts on family values, and as early as August 2, Omsk residents could see about forty themed landscape compositions — from allegorical ones to those instantly understandable.
Voskresensky Public Garden
Many locals begin exploring “Flora” from the Lyubinsky Avenue side
Guests are welcomed by festive nested dolls — perhaps the most famous symbol of Russia
The weather on opening day is changeable: cloudy one moment, sunny the next
A standout installation in Voskresensky Public Garden — the new coat of arms of Stakhanov
Many compositions here are created by Omsk enterprises, like this globe
And here is a huge steamship, calmly sailing across waves of flowers
The waterfall is crafted in the finest traditions of the Soviet-era landscape exhibition
Stylized vases for the surrounding bouquets are made from pipe fragments
Even the ordinary “flat” flowerbeds of the public garden have been lovingly refreshed for the Omsk Day Celebration
The central theme of this year’s exhibition project is family
Florists use not only flowers but also other natural materials
The “Family Tree” reminds us that strong relationships are always rooted in love
Green Fair
The shrubs along Partizanskaya Street “hint” at where to find the rest of the exhibition
Along the way, you can also stop by the seed, seedling, and sapling fair
Flowers bought here can easily brighten up a courtyard or a summer cottage
Specialists are happy to advise buyers on plant care
Follow all their tips, and beauty and bounty will be unmatched!
But let’s hurry to the Vystavochny Public Garden so we don’t miss the grand opening
Opening Ceremony
The ceremony features children’s creative groups from cultural centers
Almost all costumes today feature floral motifs…
…and the traditional dances subtly echo the exhibition’s theme
The city’s top officials applaud the young performers
Mayor Sergei Shelest congratulates the audience on the upcoming Omsk Day
Vladimir Korbut, Speaker of the City Council, joins in the congratulations
The concert is scheduled for one hour, and the music can be heard throughout the public garden
The sun has come out again from behind the clouds, making the performances even more vibrant
It’s not at all surprising to see fluttering butterflies as part of the program
The next act is built around a creative dialogue
The soloists are from the “Little Pearls” vocal studio
Their performance of the children’s song is energetic and highly professional
In any case, the audience loves it — the applause is well deserved
Cheerful hedgehogs take the stage next
Choreography matters, but genuine smiles matter even more!
Stylized cornflowers appear closer to the finale
A folk song helps maintain the lyrical mood
In a few minutes, the second part of the festive concert will begin
Vystavochny Public Garden
It’s probably time to take a walk around the Vystavochny Public Garden
Alongside the static installations, you can meet a floral fairy here
The “Family Tree” art object is decorated with photos of Omsk taken by different generations
“The Meeting” is undoubtedly the most grotesque figure at the exhibition
Its lower tier brings together gladioli, chrysanthemums, sedge, and roses
Any contemporary art festival would be proud to feature “The Meeting”
“The Flying Ship” is inspired by a popular Russian animated fairy tale
Next to hardworking Vanya, every visitor wants to feel like Princess Zabava
You’re welcome to take photos aboard the six‑metre structure
The charming “Friendly Family” embodies the unity of children and parents
Chrysanthemums shaped like hands form the composition “Mom, Dad, Me — a Happy Family”
The theme continues with another floral installation called “My Family”
Just like in Voskresensky Public Garden, every square metre here is carefully tended
The planted flowers will keep delighting the eye even after the exhibition ends
It’s true that August is the most colourful month of summer
A stork is prominently displayed: according to legend, this bird brings babies
Right nearby is the “Mother and Child” installation made of many cradles
The stork is literally woven from flowers, with only its beak being artificial
The “Motherhood” figure references the traditional protective doll and is full of symbolism
It represents Mother Nature and also symbolises the unity of humans and the surrounding world
The “First Walks” composition follows a similar conceptual approach
The triptych “Family Portrait” was designed especially for striking photo sessions
Carnations, gerberas, alstroemeria, and roses will definitely stay in the home albums
A dazzling smile is the perfect accent amid this explosion of colours
Prince Pyotr and his wife Fevronia are the sculptural focal point of the garden’s southern section
Bark, moss, and artificial hydrangea blossoms helped reveal the characters’ personalities
Meanwhile, real flowers were used to decorate the “spiky” futuristic half‑arch
This is how the entrance group from the Irtysh Gates looks so impressive
It opens the way to modern figures that sit side by side with historical ones
For many couples, the “Family Today” installation embodies their future together
“Birds of Happiness” are made from vine, alstroemeria, hedera, rattan, and dried reed
The setting sun’s ray highlighted the beauty of this composite image
Not far away, the same motif repeats: hundreds of books have been written about the fidelity of swans
Combine seven “я” into one word — it’s not hard to solve this rebus in Russian
The “Embrace” composition has already appeared in thousands of camera lenses
A tumbler toy and building blocks — sweet reminders of Soviet‑era childhood
The elegant umbrella is a literal interpretation of the well‑known Russian phrase “The Weather at Home”
Every family needs relationships as harmonious as this colour combination
The main art object is the landscape composition “Earth — Our Common Home”
It invites visitors to reflect on the future of the next generations
The globe was assembled using vine, hedera, alstroemeria, chrysanthemums, and epipremnum
We take our final family photos here and head back to the stage!
Closing Concert
The one‑hour closing concert of “Flora” is performed by the chamber ensemble “Muzet”
Accordions create the ensemble’s recognisable sound
Vladimir Pluzhnik is the founder and artistic director
Tatyana Stepanova has been playing with the ensemble since its founding
The musicians’ vocal and instrumental repertoire fits the exhibition perfectly
These applause from Omsk residents are for all the artists and organisers of the flower festival
