European Member Seminar with Exhibition was the invitation from our Ikenobō headquarters to an ikebana event in Vienna. It began with a seminar for special members, followed by a one-day workshop for regular members and a demonstration by our seminar leader, Prof. Takashi Moribe. The event concluded with an exhibition open to the public at the JUFA Hotel.
On the way to Vienna, we (an ikebana colleague accompanied me) made a detour to a special park with a botanical garden in Průhonice, which, together with the adjoining castle, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Průhonice Castle and Park are located south of Prague and are among the most important landscape parks in Czechia. The castle, whose origins date back to the Middle Ages, was given its current appearance in the 19th century by Count Arnošt Emanuel Silva-Tarouca, who redesigned it in the Romantic style. The complex combines historical architecture with a design that blends harmoniously with nature.
The adjacent Průhonice Park covers around 250 hectares and is one of the largest landscape parks in Europe. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Prague Historic Preservation Area.” Visitors can expect an extraordinary botanical diversity with over 1,600 plant species, including numerous rare trees and shrubs, as well as one of the largest collections of rhododendrons in Europe.
In autumn, you can discover the colorful leaves of the hazelnut tree or the flowers and nuts of the witch hazel. The park is crisscrossed by picturesque paths, meadows, ponds, and the Botič stream, offering a variety of landscapes—from natural forest areas to artistically designed sightlines. It is a popular destination for walks, relaxation, and nature observation, offering special impressions in every season.
After taking a long break and stretching our legs in the park, we were ready for the second half of the journey to Vienna. This part of the trip also went smoothly, and we arrived safely at our destination.
In Vienna, there was also the opportunity to explore the surrounding area on foot. The beautiful weather was perfect for a walk to the Bohemian Prater, a traditional amusement park dating back to the mid-19th century, when Bohemian bricklayers and craftsmen spent their free time in small restaurants in the area. Over time, these simple entertainment options developed into a family-oriented, charmingly nostalgic Prater, in contrast to the larger, world-famous Vienna Prater.
As my feet were still willing and able to carry us further, and Oberlaa Park was nearby, I decided to explore it as well. It is one of the largest and most diverse parks in the city, was opened in 1974 as part of the International Garden Show (WIG 74), and remains one of the city's most popular recreational areas to this day. The park is characterized by its spacious design, which combines modern landscape architecture with tranquil natural areas.
The site of the former Oberlaa hot springs was extensively redesigned for the WIG 74. The facilities became a showcase example of contemporary park architecture. Many of the areas created at that time, including themed gardens, pond landscapes, and viewing areas, still characterize the park today. The park comprises extensive meadows, winding paths, small hills, and numerous water features.
This creative vehicle can be admired in the Love Garden, and the color-coordinated sculpture sits enthroned on the Rose Hill.
The Japanese Garden is also particularly popular. It is based on traditional Japanese design principles that emphasize tranquility, harmony, and the unity of man and nature. It combines carefully placed stones, water features, small bridges, and artistically shaped trees. Ornamental cherry trees, bamboo, and evergreen plants create a peaceful, Far Eastern atmosphere.
Winding paths lead through various small scenes that invite visitors to linger. It offers a harmonious contrast to the open meadows and large pond landscapes of the rest of the park and is an ideal place for relaxed walks and moments of tranquility, making it the perfect way to get in the mood for the seminar with Professor Takashi Moribe, who had traveled from Japan especially for us 31 participants. All participants were full of eager anticipation.
Although he had just completed an intensive week of seminars in France, Prof. Moribe seemed rested, full of energy, and in good spirits. Our Special Member group was once again international. Participants came from Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Germany to join the local participants from Study Group Austria. After a brief welcome, the seminar began with the theory and demonstration of a Shōka Shofūtai isshuike and a Shōka Shofūtai nishuike. After we Special Members had completed our arrangements and each arrangement had been commented on and/or corrected, Prof. Moribe went into detail about the special features of a Rikka Shimpūtai, which we were to design the next day. The diligent helpers had already compiled the materials according to the corresponding lists, so that after another concentrated and cheerful day, all arrangements could be approved by our professor.
The third day of the seminar was mainly reserved for regular members, who focused on the special features of the Jiyūka style. On Saturday, we prepared our arrangements for the exhibition and enjoyed Prof. Moribe's entertaining and varied presentation, to which over 70 guests were invited, including personalities such as the Japanese ambassador Kiminori Iwama and his wife. We special members mainly displayed Rikka Shimpūtai in the exhibition on Sunday, while the regular members presented a variety of Jiyūka and Shoka Shimpūtai variations.
Despite the lack of service and difficult communication on the part of the JUFA Hotel, we were delighted to welcome numerous visitors to the exhibition and received many appreciative comments about our arrangements.
To relax and enjoy the beautiful weather, there was still some time left that day to explore the Danube Island despite the exhibition. A completely different art scene can be discovered under the bridges.
On the New Danube on the Danube Island, there is a legal street art zone where local and international artists are allowed to spray graffiti and large murals on walls and pillars.
This area serves as a vibrant open-air gallery, with works regularly redesigned by local and international artists. It is an important destination for street art fans, who can experience a colorful and creative atmosphere here. The artworks range from simple lettering to detailed motifs featuring figures, animals, or abstract shapes. The zone creates a lively, creative atmosphere that is constantly changing.
After these beautiful and unusual artistic impressions, we returned to dismantle the ikebana arrangements, which are also subject to transience, in our exhibition. We had planned another stop on the way back to Berlin. This time we stopped in the Czech town of Lovosice and enjoyed a panoramic view of the Elbe, the town of Lovosice, and the striking hills of the Bohemian Central Mountains from the small but very original observation tower ‘Rozhledna U Zámečku’. The tower was rebuilt in 2018–2019 based on a design by Luboš Hruška. Its construction consists of 40 hyperboloid-shaped wooden/steel piles embedded in a concrete platform. The roof is a sail-like cloth that is clearly visible from a distance. The tower stands on an artificially raised hill. There used to be an ice cellar there, where ice was stored to cool beer in the nearby restaurant. A viewing pavilion, the “Altan,” had stood above the historic cellar at this location since the 19th century. Even then, it was a popular destination for excursions.
Before embarking on the last leg of our journey home, we took another walk along the banks of the Elbe the next day before breakfast, as the sun was rising, and said goodbye to beautiful Czechia. The country is definitely worth a longer visit. All in all, it was another eventful few days that enriched us with art, culture, and beauty. A big thank you once again to the leader of our Study Group Austria, Prof. Andrea Scheberl, who invested her energy and maximum commitment to make this European Member Seminar a reality.