Exposition ‘Gardens and Flowers of Istanbul’

Turkey’s rich floral heritage is presented in the photo exposition ‘Gardens and Flowers of Istanbul.’ The exposition will be held in the Atrium of The Hague City Hall from 11 February to 4 March.

Growing flowers and cultivating new varieties became a fine art, pursued in Istanbul with as much passion as poetry and music. Ottoman sources record the names of nearly 1,600 tulip and over 1,000 rose varieties and their breeders. Even the Ottoman sultans were proud to be described as gardeners and sought to earn the title of ‘sahib-i tohum’ (possessor of the seed), granted to breeders of new varieties.

While gardeners grew real flowers, artists created flower motifs and patterns on every kind of object and material, making flower and fruit motifs an inseparable part of Turkish life.

The aim of the exhibition is to highlight Istanbul’s botanical culture and the exceptional heights that the movement reached. The exhibition was organised by the Embassy of Turkey in The Hague, with cooperation from the Ali Nihat Gökyiğit (ANG) Foundation and the Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanical Garden in Istanbul.

More info

The Atrium of The Hague City Hall at Spui 70 in The Hague is open Monday to Friday from 7.00 to 19.00 hrs. and Thursday until 21.30 hrs. On Saturday the Atrium is open from 9.30 to 17.00 hrs. and it is closed on Sunday.