"We laud this event and are optimistic of it becoming an annual agenda. We are upbeat that the event, started in Bali, would spread across the world," the Bali vice governor remarked while receiving IFC Chairperson Nir Peretz here, Friday.
The vice governor, also known as Cok Ace, expressed hope that the IFC would encourage Balinese people to beautify and maintain their yards by planting varied ornamental plants.
"Flowers are an intrinsic part of the lives of Balinese people. Flowers are a mainstay in religious cultures and rituals. Through this competition, we are optimistic that someday, Bali will also be known as The Island of Flower," he noted.
In the meantime, IFC Committee Chair Nir Peretz believes that the event he initiated was different than the usual flower competition. The IFC in Bali is a competition focusing on home gardens and yards wherein participants get an opportunity to showcase their creativity.
Peretz revealed that this idea originated from his concern over most home gardens and yards in Bali not being properly maintained and organized, including not growing several flowers, thereby lending a barren look.
Hence, Peretz, also the owner of Hanging Garden Bali Hotel, took the initiative to hold a home yard arrangement competition to encourage the concept of well-maintained home gardens.
This competition is open to the people, who can register on the website since the start of the year. He pointed to the high level of public enthusiasm over this event, taking into account no less than 200 participants registering for this competition.
"The participants just have to upload pictures of their home garden before and after the arrangement. We can see several creative ideas in managing the yards using recycled materials," Peretz revealed.
The committee will then review the gardens and select the top 10 that will be announced at the Bajra Sandhi Monument in Denpasar on June 29, 2019.
Peretz is optimistic of the competition having a positive impact on Bali as a tourist destination.
"We are setting out to achieve the three objectives of beautifying Bali, reducing plastic waste, and restoring the bee population," Peretz stated.
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Bambang Purwanto
Editor: Eliswan Azly
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
