Newsroom
Traditional Japanese flower arranging took center stage in Nicosia earlier this month, as delicate blooms and bold branches transformed a cultural event into a lesson in art, balance and patience.
On March 5, the Embassy of Japan in Cyprus, together with the Parliament Foundation for Parliamentarism and Participatory Democracy and the Philanthes and Ikebana Club of Nicosia, hosted a live Ikebana demonstration that attracted strong public interest.
The event showcased Sogetsu-ryu, one of Japan’s major Ikebana schools, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Demonstrators Ourania Gavrielides and Roula Kalavazides guided attendees through the basics of the centuries-old art form, explaining that Ikebana is not simply about arranging flowers, it is about creating harmony between space, shape and nature.
The audience first watched a step-by-step presentation of a traditional arrangement, learning how asymmetry and careful balance between elements form the foundation of Ikebana design.
The demonstration then shifted into a more creative freestyle piece, using giant fennel branches, bird-of-paradise flowers and selloum leaves. The bold composition highlighted how Ikebana blends discipline with artistic freedom, turning natural materials into expressive works of art.
Organizers said the response exceeded expectations, with demand for seats higher than the venue could accommodate — a sign of growing interest in cultural exchanges between Cyprus and Japan.
The Japanese Embassy thanked the artists, organizers and participants for helping bring the event to life, adding that more cultural activities are planned in the future for those who were unable to attend this time.
For many visitors, the takeaway was simple: sometimes a few carefully placed flowers can say more than a room full of words.
