Sharjah's first flower festival kicks off today

The event that will be on from 5pm to 10pm on weekdays, and from 5pm until midnight during the weekend is the first of its kind to be held in Sharjah.

The 5 day festival will be inaugurated by H. E. Dr. Rashed Ahmed Bin Fahed, Minister of Environment and Water and will encompass a plethora of cultural and entertainment activities.

The fragrant event that is expected to bring in some colourful creations and activities will be alive with kiosks selling flowers and related products to its visitors.

Visitors will also have the unique opportunity to view some of the top designer creations, and get close to rare and exotic desert plants during the festival.

An international flower arrangement contest will be held at Al Qasba as part of the Flower Festival.

The Al Zanabig Floral Design Contest, considered the most prestigious floral event held in the Arab world will have some top florists from around the region including Lebonan, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Libya and the UAE participating.

'The spectacular floral displays will be judged by an international jury made up of flower experts from Holland and other countries and the overall winner will be declared on the April 19 during an awards ceremony. The criteria of judgment will be based on the florists' originality, composition, style, techniques and attitude, making it a truly special event,' said Dina Al Nakhi, events manager of Al Qasba Development Authority.

Visitors will also have the rare opportunity of participating in floral arrangement demonstrations led by the internationally acclaimed florists during the festival.

The key sponsors of Al Qasba Flower Festival 2008 include Official Carrier: Al Khayala Airlines, Arabian Falcon Holidays, Flower Holland, Sharjah Municipality, OZ Export, Bridgestone (Nasser Bin Abdullatif Al Serkal Est), Citi Trade, Cityscape and
Al Zanabig.