Monthly Feature
10th Ikebana International World Convention
Welcome design outside the hotel
As most II members will know, the 10 World Convention was postponed from May 2011 to May 2012 because of the terrible devastation experienced in Japan during the great earthquake and tsunami of March 2011. Eight of the Singapore Chapter members who had signed on for the event last year, were able to confirm their participation this year. And what a wonderful treat we all had.
Members from 87 Chapters around the world gathered at the Le Daiba Hotel in Tokyo. The Friendship Room opened at 12 noon on Monday 30 April and big hellos were heard all around. Friendships were renewed and new ones were forged in this room as well as in all the other venues during the five days of activities.
There were so many highlights:
Ikenobo School – Senei Ikenobo
Ohara School – Hiroki Ohara
Sogetsu School – Akane Teshigahara
- the exhibition by Headmaster and Headmistresses of many of the Ikebana Schools as well as by members from all over the world and wives of Ambassadors
- the demonstrations by headmasters of six schools – Ohara, Misho Ryu, Ichiyo, Ryusei-Ha, Ikenobo and Sogetsu – each one a spectacle and great show with amazing flower materials
- demonstrations by members from various chapters, some bringing special floral materials from their home countries
- Cultural workshops - Making a Silk Brooch, Japanese-style Ink and Watercolour Painting, Ikebana arrangement with Sand, Bookbinding, Making Dolls out of Shells, Bamboo Craft
- The Opening Dinner and Sayonara Banquet as well as the dinners in between with the cultural entertainments that went with great food.
SC135 members at Opening dinner, photo by Sylvia Wei
Sayonara dinner, photo by Sylvia Wei
Each major event was graced by Her Imperial Highness, Princess Takamado. How lucky II is to have such a supportive and gracious Honorary President.
Apart from the many flower activities, there were Business meetings for the delegates, a Breakfast meeting and a Forum for all members who wished to attend as well as the all-important Extra Ordinary General Meeting. Sadly business at the EGM could not be concluded as insufficient proxies were received for the two third majority neeed under the present II Constitution. Too many members did not appreciate the importance of them sending in their signed proxy. Hopefully the extra effort that has gone into contacting members during the Convention will have the desired effect and enough votes will be received to meet the deadline so that the change of status, which has been imposed by the Japanese Government, can come into effect.
So much work went into organizing the Convention which takes place every five years. I wonder how many members realize that most of this work is done by volunteers at local and international level, who give countless hours of service each, promoting our wonderful art form?
The Convention has been a great success on so many different levels. A huge Thank You to all who contributed in so many ways. Congratulations to you all for such a successful event.
The next Asian Regional Conference will take place in New Delhi, India, from 21 -25 November 2012. No doubt it will be an equally amazing event. Don’t miss it! For more information on this please contact the Chairperson, Aruna Kirpal at: arunakirpal@airtelmail.in
