Report from Vivienne Black on her visit to Japan
I was delighted to attend the 20th World Rose Convention in Japan. My journey started with a twenty hour flight to Tokyo and a four hour bullet train trip to Fukuyama. “Roses for the future – a new future begins in Fukuyama 2025” was the theme for the convention. The 70 year history of “Fukuyama, the city of Roses” is a story shaped by the spirit of compassion, kindness and mutual support that has flourished as the people of Fukuyama come together to cultivate roses. On 8 August 1945 approximately 80 percent of Fukuyama urban area was fire-bombed. With the cooperation of the city government, the residents planted a thousand roses in Minami Park now known as Rose Park. Thereafter the rose became loved as a symbol for the city’s reconstruction, laying the foundation for “Fukuyama, the city of a million roses”.
The convention was attended by 450 rose lovers from around the world, three from South Africa, Vanessa and Melissa Davidson and myself. The Welcome Reception was held in the grounds of the Fukuyama castle, a building in the centre of the town. We were treated to different Japanese dancers, a welcome by the Mayor, a tea ceremony and lots of local ’sake’ to try, an evening tour of the castle as well as music groups performing throughout the evening. All over the town, in gardens, on verandas, in shop windows, in pots and planters we saw roses.
The next morning the Opening Ceremony was held at the Fukuyama Hall of Art and Culture. The auditorium was packed to the brim and what a spectacular event. We were graced by the presence of Her Imperial Highness Princess Tomohito of Mikasa, who is an honorary President of the Japan Rose Society. The WFRS President officially opened the convention and the ceremony ended with a local song called the “Happy Rose”.
During the ceremony the WFRS Rose Hall of Fame winners were announced. ‘Blush Noisette’ was the old garden rose winner and ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ was the modern rose winner.
I visited the Rose Expo, the designers’ rose gardens on the day tours, the rose market and all the lectures delivered by an incredible team of rose personalities. The Farewell Dinner and the Awards Presentation was the end of the convention where 200 volunteers received thanks for their incredible contribution to the success of the convention.
Gardens of Excellence were awarded to:
Rose Garden Rivierenhof, Belgium
Burlington Rose Garden, Canada
Olomouc Rose Garden, Czech Republic
Mania Island Rose Garden, Germany
Nagaoka Rose Garden, Japan
Tawana Rose Garden, Japan
Jeonju Rose Garden, Korea
Aflopark Rose Garden, Poland
Gothenburg Rose Garden, Sweden
Three literacy awards for :
The Saint Claire Rose Garden by Maurice Jay
Roses in the Fire of Spring by Viru and Girija Viraraghavan
Rosas patrimoniales de Uruguay – Legado de generaciones
It was an honour and privilege to collect the World Rose Award on behalf of Gail Birss the President of ROSA, for her contribution to the world of roses.
Sushil Prakash was introduced as the incoming President for 2025-2028.
The whole city of Fukuyama came out to welcome the world to a magnificent rose convention which will be remembered by everyone who had the opportunity of attending.
