KARACHI: First Lady Samina Alvi has said floral art is not just a hobby or pastime but it is a form of therapy that is beneficial for overall mental health.

She was speaking as the chief guest at a programme organised by the Floral Art Society of Pakistan’s Gardenia Chapter, Karachi to celebrate their success at the World Association of Floral Arts (WAFA) Bloom Oman held in Muscat recently, here at a local hotel on Monday.

A demonstration by Qurrat ul Ain Aamir was also organised.

The First Lady, who herself a member of the Floral Art Society, said that she was immensely proud of all the members who brought laurels to the country from Oman.

“By organising floral art and horticulture events we not only can make our surroundings beautiful but can also encourage our younger generation to join such a healthy activity, she said.

“Floral art and horticulture not only beautify our public places but add colour and freshness to our surroundings. Floral art is not just a hobby or pastime but it is a form of therapy that is beneficial for our overall mental health,” she pointed out.

“Greenery itself is so relaxing. I have found going to the plant nursery relaxing. I also started playing golf because of the greenery,” she added.

WAFA is an alliance of some 22 countries. The event, which happens every three years in a member country, this time took place from Jan 21 to Feb 1 in a beautiful museum in Muscat. Pictures of the event were shared with the audience.

This year, there were more than 80 delegates from 18 countries participating. The competition was in six classes where the Pakistani participants excelled and bagged 11 prizes to clean sweep the event. Some of the winning exhibits were also put on display on the occasion.

Afterwards, the First Lady distributed the certificates and awards among those who participated and made the country proud in the international event in Oman.

They were Riffat Mughal, Nishat Kazmi, Salma Ansari, Fahmida, Naheed Shirazi, Sabira Tufail, Farah Aquil, Qurrat ul Ain Aamir, Kausar Suleman, Salima Feroze and Sophia Ijaz.

A funny story was also shared about Sophia Ijaz’s participation there. The exhibit that she had made and left out in the open air for a little while was stolen by a crow. She had to make it all over again overnight to bag the first prize.

Finally, the president of the Gardenia Chapter, a Sogetsu teacher and a landscape artist, Qurrat ul Ain Aamir, put on a demonstration inspired by Shangrilla. She used tree bark, saw dust, moss, a succulent plant and flowers for her arrangement, which looked spectacular.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2024