March 10, 2023
The Geoje Island Flower Festival (거제 섬꽃 축제 in Korean) 2022 (the 16th Festival) took place during a beautiful week in late fall, beginning on October 29th and lasting until November 6th. This annual event is hosted by the department of Agricultural Tourism at the Geoje Agricultural Development Center, with support from the Geoje City Hall.
Glancing 2022 Festival
This year’s festival theme was “Attracted to the Flowers; Attracted to the Island,” and showcased a stunning variety of chrysanthemums, which differed in color, shape, and size. Other types of flowers were also beautifully decorated throughout the Geoje Botanic Garden which has a main jungle dome, several outdoor gardens, vinyl houses, and small farming areas.
Creative Flower Arrangements
As I walked around the festival area, I was fascinated by the creatively arranged works of art, most of which were made of flowers, especially chrysanthemums. The festival’s surroundings and flower arrangements were quite inspiring. From giant artifacts covered in chrysanthemums to delicate arrangements highlighting the unique beauty of each individual flower…. I truly enjoyed the festival’s breathtaking and yet friendly displays, with the botanic garden’s scenic surroundings and the aroma of the flowers in its air. Here I snapped some photos to capture the beauty of the feast. My favorite displays were the giant creatures that had been covered with chrysanthemums, which were stunning to look at.
More Events and Hidden Places
In addition to the flower arrangements, the Geoje Island Flower Festival 2022 had chains of events for visitors to enjoy each day of the festival. One of the highlights was the opportunity to view experimental subtropical fruits and rare flowers and trees in several trial greenhouses. I took some photos in the trial houses.
Arts Exhibitions
At another corner of the festival venue, there was an exhibition room filled with western and oriental paintings, bonsai, water and stones, and photos surrounded by various healing herbs. Local artists and gallery representatives who were on hand to present and explain their paintings, and I made connections with a few of them. See some of their paintings below. I will talk more about Geoje’s arts and artists later in this blog.
Foods and Drinks
Food trucks, cafes, and farm stands added to the festive atmosphere, offering us a chance to taste local delicacies and refreshments while enjoying the flowers.
Looking Forward to 2023 Festival!
The Geoje Island Flower Festival 2022 was an unforgettable experience that left me with a feeling appreciation of the beauty of nature and the admiration for the creativity of the festival organizers. I can’t wait to attend the next year’s event which is scheduled to be held between October 28 and November 5, 2023. For more details, visit the Geoje Island Flower Festival website.