Madame Orita, Ms Hansa Patel, Mayor Jane Avis and Professor Sugihara admiring the Ikebana display
The Festival of Ikenobo Ikebana, presented by the Surrey Ikenobo Group, was opened by Madame Orita, Mayor of Croydon Councillor Jane Avis, and Professor Seiha Sugihara of the Ikenobo Headquarters on Saturday, March 20th. The exhibition, supported by the Embassy of Japan, featured over 50 floral exhibits which impressed visitors to the festival over two days at Fairfield Halls in Croydon.
During the opening ceremony, Madame Orita delivered a speech in which she praised the Surrey Ikenobo Group for successfully bringing together people from a wide variety of backgrounds through the art of Ikebana. She also expressed her gratitude to the Mayor of Croydon for her Council's generous support and Professor Sugihara for his enormous contribution to the event. Personally fond of the sophisticated art of Ikebana, Madame Orita said, "I do believe that those fortunate to attend the exhibition will be touched with both joy and a sense of tranquillity. For those who are new to Ikebana, I also hope that this experience will inspire you to take up the art."
Speech by Madame Orita at the Opening of the Festival of Ikenobo Ikebana in Croydon on 20 March 2004
Mayor of Croydon-Councillor Jane Avis, President Patel, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
As a longtime advocate of art of Ikebana myself, I feel privileged to be here today at the opening of the Festival of Ikenobo Floral Art Exhibition.
It gives me an enormous pleasure to see the art of Ikebana becoming more and more popular in recent years in the United Kingdom. I should like to congratulate the Surrey Ikenobo Group for its tremendous achievement in bringing people from a wide variety of backgrounds together through the common love of flower arrangement.
I remember the pleasure I had of attending the Floral Exhibition here at the same place two years ago. The Mayor of Croydon then was Mr. Hopson. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hopson were there with me, and I saw Mrs. Hopson take a great interest in the exhibited flower arrangements. I later heard that she decided to join the Surrey Group in order to learn more about this sophisticated form of art. I think this is one good example of the appeal the Ikebana has. I hope this year's Exhibition will attract many more Mrs. Hopsons.
I know that today's event was made possible through the hard work and dedication of the Surrey Ikenobo Group under the leadership of President Patel. And I also know that behind the scenes there has always been an abundant support from their loving spouses. So a lot of credits go to them .
I should like to pay a special tribute to the Mayor for her Council's strong support shown to the Surrey Ikenobo Group, and Professor Sugihara for his enormous contribution to make this event successful.
It is my sincere hope that all those who visit this exhibition will bring home a sense of beauty and tranquility that is so characteristic of the Ikenobo Ikebana.
In concluding, I should like to wish the Surrey Ikenobo Group every success in the future.
