Monday July 9, 2012
Floria Putrajaya burns bright as event ends in spectacular fashion
By JOSEPH SIPALAN
jsipalan@thestar.com.my
PUTRAJAYA: The annual Floria Putrajaya 2012 flower and garden exhibition ended in spectacular fashion after nine days of celebrations.
Yesterday marked the final day of the event and it was a riot of colours and scents as tens of thousands of visitors took in the sight of colourful flowers and explosive bright lights during the flotilla and fireworks show at night.
The “Magic of the Night” show was a special treat for the thousands who gathered along the banks of the Putrajaya Lake, where they were also entertained by starlet Shafinaz Selamat and a parade of 15 beautifully lit boats.
Well deserved: Dr Ng handing the best decorated boat award to a representative from Suzhou, China, during the exhibition. Looking on are Tourism Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Ong Hong Peng (right) and Tourism Malaysia chairman Datuk Dr Victor Wee. — Bernama Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said the evening show, initiated by the ministry, was only the second such event in the world, besides the one held in Suzhou, China.
Earlier in the day, Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin declared this year’s Floria Putrajaya a rousing success, having drawn international participants from 10 countries for the first time since its launch in 2007.
He described the event as the best branding exercise to raise Putrajaya’s status internationally.
The annual event also provided a good platform to raise public awareness about plants and the environment, he added.
This year’s Floria Putrajaya also proved to be a lucrative enterprise for its many participants, with a turnover of RM2.06mil from the sale of flowers, decorative plants, handicrafts, food and drinks.
Numerous prizes were also handed out to participants who designed and created themed gardens, with the Floria Garden Prime Award 2012 going to the Johor Baru Tengah City Council.
An estimated 800,000 people flocked to the exhibition grounds located next to the Putrajaya Lake over the nine-day event.
The bougainvillea took centre stage as the theme flower.
Next year’s Floria Putrajaya will be held from June 22 to 30.
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