RIYADH, 13 February 2004 — A major flower design festival, the “Zanabig Floral Design Contest,” which is dubbed as the most prestigious floral event of the Arab world, will be held here on Feb. 18. The event is being held to promote both Saudi-grown and imported flowers. The Netherlands, home to 70 percent of the world’s floral trade will be heavily represented, said Dutch Ambassador Paul Lagendijk.
The Dutch Embassy and a local Saudi company, Al-Zanabig International Trade Est. are the main sponsors of the event.
The contest is intended to promote sales and consumption of flowers in the region especially in the Kingdom.
Prominent flower companies, nurseries and designers from the Arab world will participate in this event, said Lagendijk. Twelve finalists from Arab countries will compete in creating five spectacular flower arrangements on the inaugural day of the event.
The jury for the contest consists of experts in flowers and flower arrangements from Holland and Saudi Arabia, and will be chaired by the world-renowned flower arranger Cees van Dijk, who will be specially flown in by the Flower Council of Holland.
Lagedijk said that the winners will be presented with awards on Feb. 19 and the flower show will be open for general public at Tuwaiq Palace in Riyadh Diplomatic Quarters on Feb. 20 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
