“FUTURE IN FLOWERS” FESTIVAL
The festival began on 21 May and ended on 8 July, on the last day of the RUSSIA EXPO. This large-scale flower marathon captured the whole VDNKh area, and unique art objects made of flowers were introduced in several locations simultaneously. Guests could witness more than 100 million flowers, flower exhibits from all 89 regions of the country, and designer flower compositions from institutions and state corporations. Future in Flowers workshop held floristry classes, lectures from well-known plant breeders, and fun trivia games. Visitors were shown the best achievements of national plant breeders: about 400 types of peonies, 140 types of lilacs, 120 types of irises, 250 types of roses, 30 types of dahlias, as well as other flowers and plants of Russia.
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Crowberry. Chukotka Autonomous Area
Crowberry, also known as shiksha, is a genus of evergreen plants in the heather family. It is widespread in the Northern Hemisphere, though rare colonies can sometimes be found in South America, particularly on the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. The residents of Chukotka highly value and cherish this remarkable berry for its beauty and beneficial properties.
The Russian name "vodianika" (crowberry) is derived from the high water content in its fruits. Crowberries contain vitamin C, as well as caffeic and benzoic acids, which impart powerful antioxidant and restorative properties to the berry. However, it's important to remember that the fruits can accumulate heavy metals, so they should only be gathered in environmentally clean areas, away from roads.
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Purple loosestrife. Sverdlovsk region
The king of Ural herbs is the purple loosestrife "Blush" (Latin: Lythrum salicaria). In folklore, this plant is also called "weeping herb." In the "Book of the Dove," Russian spiritual verses from the XV century, it was written that "the weeping herb is the mother of all herbs."
This plant was endowed with magical and healing powers, and quarreling friends would come to make peace with this flower. Crosses made from purple loosestrife were believed to ward off evil forces and protect from arrows, bullets, and swords. People would hang these crosses above doors and windows to keep evil out and prevent nightmares. The stem of the weeping herb, cut at dawn on the eve of Ivan's Day (summer solstice), was used as a talisman by treasure seekers.
Purple loosestrife was also used to predict the weather. Half an hour before rain, the plant would "start to cry." In reality, this "intelligent" plant sensed moisture in the air and released excess liquid. You can check this phenomenon while strolling in the most famous nature park in the Sverdlovsk region, "Deer Streams."
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Sunflower. Kherson region
The sunflower belongs to a vast polymorphic genus in the Asteraceae family. The Latin name of the genus, Helianthus, translates to "sun flower."
A sunflower is not just a single flower but thousands of tiny ones, called disc florets, because their centers form perfect spirals. The flowers in the center of a sunflower grow according to a precise mathematical pattern called the golden ratio.
The Russian name (“podsolnukh” that can be roughly translated as “under the sun flower”) arises from the ability of the flower heads to always turn toward the sun. Sunflowers have a special sensitivity to sunlight, which allows their heads to turn throughout the day, following the sun’s path across the sky.
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LILY OF THE VALLEY. UDMURT REPUBLIC
The symbol of musical Udmurtia is the lily of the valley (also called May bells). This flower's theme is closely associated with the great native of Udmurtia, the world's most performed composer, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Lily of the valley was his favorite flower, perhaps because it bloomed around his birthday, May 7th, in the forest clearings around his hometown of Votkinsk.
The lily of the valley has become the true soul and brand of Udmurtia, the musical symbol of the region. The image of this flower is often found on postcards and festival emblems associated with the name of composer P.I. Tchaikovsky. Many events celebrating the composer take place during the flowering period of the lily of the valley.
The flowers of the lily of the valley are also needed in the perfume industry, where an essential oil with a pleasant aroma is extracted from them.
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Steppe Sage. Rostov Region
In hot weather, blooming sage in the Don steppe emits a spicy and rich fragrance, somewhat similar to the aroma of lavender, with hints of wild herbs and pine. Moreover, the purple-violet flowers stand out prominently against the mixed grassland background.
In the region, the most common type is steppe sage (or meadow sage). It prefers dry meadows, forest edges, and grows along roadsides, fields, and wastelands. The plant's stem, along with its flowers, reaches up to 60 centimeters in height.
The medicinal properties of sage have been known since ancient times. The beneficial qualities of sage for humans are due to its high content of essential oils, tannins, and phytoncides. The plant has astringent, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. It is used in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, sore throats, stomatitis, and bladder inflammation. Sage is also used to relieve toothache.
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Wild strawberry. Ryazan region
The main feature and pride of the Ryazan region are its forests, which occupy almost a third of the region's territory. The most common type is the pine forest, covering vast areas in the north and east of the region. These areas are incredibly rich in forest harvests: an abundance of mushrooms, valuable essential oil, medicinal and tea plants is complemented by a berry feast. Blueberries, lingonberries, raspberries, cranberries, and, of course, the beloved wild strawberries.
Wild strawberries are valued for their tasty berries and healing properties. The Latin name "fragare" translates to "fragrance." The berries of wild strawberries are indeed very aromatic, juicy, tasty, and sweet.
Wild strawberries also benefit those seeking rejuvenating effects: the essential oil of the berries has anti-inflammatory, calming, and rejuvenating properties.
Along with the RUSSIA EXPO, the flower festival is also coming to an end.
The "Future in Flowers" festival continues at the RUSSIA EXPO, where unique flowerbeds from all regions of our country can be seen at the "Space" pavilion until July 8.
The RUSSIA EXPO concludes on July 8, and with it, the flower festival will also come to an end.
