International Horticulture Goyang started as the Goyang Korea Flower Show in 1991 and was held as an annual domestic event until 1996. In 1997, it was relaunched as the Goyang International Flower Festival, which was held every three years. The event returned to annual format in 2013 and was renamed International Horticulture Goyang. Today, it is the largest flower festival and the only professional flower fair in South Korea.
International Horticulture Goyang is organized by the Goyang International Flower Foundation. The main venue of the festival is Ilsan Lake Park, which was specifically designed to provide natural-looking spaces for outdoor recreation in an urban area. The park surrounds the largest artificial lake in South Korea and has a wide range of facilities including walking and bicycle trails, a signing fountain, a lawn plaza, an outdoor stage, an exhibition hall, and a nature study center. This makes it a perfect venue for an annual flower festival with its flower displays and a varied program of events and activities.
International Horticulture Goyang features more than 200 exhibitors (associations, institutions, organizations) from around 30 countries and 50 cities. The main highlights of its program are the indoor and outdoor flower exhibitions, spectacular performances, workshops, the Goyang Flower Market, the Goyang Flower Grand Prix, the Goyang International Flower Awards, and other exciting events and activities.
The outdoor exhibition of International Horticulture Goyang consists of several sections showcasing different types of plants and gardens: native Korean flowers, water plants, roses, vegetables, cacti and bonsai, flower sculptures, etc. In addition, several world-class garden artists are invited to design gardens for the outdoor exhibition every year. The indoor exhibition showcases potted plants from local and international suppliers, flower decoration ideas, exotic plants, and works by leading flower design artists.
The Goyang International Flower Forum is an industry event focused on ornamental plant and landscaping industry trends and latest research. Unlike the forum, the Goyang Flower Market is open to everyone. It is an outdoor market where farmers from the Goyang area offer their best flowers. In addition to farmers, the market also features Korean and international vendors selling various accessories and handmade crafts including, but not limited to, vases, essential oils, scented candles and soaps, flower pots and pots stands, natural cosmetics, and more.
Finally, International Horticulture Goyang has an extensive entertainment program that includes the grand opening ceremony, concerts, soap bubble fountain shows, magic shows, marching band performances, children choir performances, theater performances, taekwondo demonstrations, and other spectacular performances.
Photo: flower.or.kr
