Hanami, the cherry blossom festival, was celebrated on Saturday at the Botanical Garden of the University of Szeged. On this day, visitors also enjoyed programs showcasing Japanese culture, said director Anikó Németh.
Director Anikó Németh noted that while only the early ornamental cherry trees had bloomed by the end of last week, the other varieties are also expected to soon open their blossoms.
Photo: MTI/Oláh Tamás
The botanical garden cultivates numerous varieties of Japanese ornamental cherry trees. The Kanzan, recognizable by its shell-shaped crown, is widespread in Europe as a street tree and in parks, though it is relatively rare in its native country. The Amanogawa variety, meaning “Milky Way,” gets its name from its upward-reaching foliage, but the herb garden also features the Japanese weeping ornamental cherry, the Higan variety—which sometimes blooms in the fall—and the Taiwanese bell-flower ornamental cherry. The latter blooms earliest, at the end of winter, which is why people in Europe were hesitant to plant it; however, as the climate has warmed, there is no longer as much need to fear frost.
Hanami—literally “flower viewing”—is the enjoyment of cherry blossoms, Japanese plums, azaleas, hydrangeas, Chinese or Japanese apricots, or the autumn peach, which has long been cultivated as an ornamental tree, in the spring.
In addition to the ornamental cherry trees, visitors could admire apple and pear trees, and ten thousand flower bulbs have been planted in the botanical garden, thus during their walk, guests can see spring crocuses, various tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils, and in the coming months, ornamental bulbs as well. The pasque flower, found in Hungary’s dry grasslands, is in bloom, and the rock garden welcomes visitors in all its splendor.
Photo: MTI/Oláh Tamás
On Saturday afternoon, Tamás Gál, curator of the Japanese Garden, led visitors on two guided tours of the collection. There was also a lecture on the traditions of bonsai and the secrets of its care, as well as on Japanese writing systems and the history of sushi; a performance of traditional Japanese music and a tea ceremony were also held.
Throughout the day-long program, guests could try their hand at origami, as well as watch demonstrations of mizuhiki—Japanese cord-tying—and calligraphy.
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Via MTI; Featured image: MTI/Oláh Tamás
