On 16.09.2023 in the Botanical Garden of BAS was held the event “Beauty under the shade of the maple” where visitors had the opportunity to experience the beauty of plants and the mysteries of Japanese traditions. Special guests were Mr. Takayuki Shinozawa, Counssilor at the Embassy of Japan and Mr. Kento Muraki, Cultural Attaché of Japan in Bulgaria. Prof. Dr. Svetlana Nikolova, Director of the Botanical Garden welcomed the guests and presented the programme of the event, which was filled with Japanese traditions (tea ceremony, demonstration of Katori Shinto ryu, Haiku, Ikebana, calligraphy and origami) and Bulgarian folk songs.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ina Aneva, Scientific Secretary of the Biodiversity, Bioresources and Ecology division of BAS, expressed her great appreciation and gratitude to the Botanical Garden staff for their high professionalism and devotion in their work, for all their efforts and for the remarkable results achieved, for the excellent organization, for the fact that the Botanical Garden is a successful and welcome partner of various initiatives, such as the one related to beauty in Japanese traditions. Admiration for beauty has been deeply woven into Japanese culture since ancient times. Contemplation of the beauties of nature, and especially the beauty of plants, is a sublime spiritual experience that is directed towards personal refinement and ennoblement, towards the purification of hearts and souls. Assoc. Prof. Ina Aneva emphasized that the Botanical Garden of BAS is a cozy home of a wealth of collections, united on the basis of geographical origin, systematic affiliation and other thematic criteria. Each plant requires specific care and attention, and thanks to the high competence and devotion of our colleagues, we have the opportunity to enjoy this beauty.
