So what’s a floralie? And what are the Ghent Floralies? Floralie stems from the Latin word “floralia” meaning, you guessed it, flowers. It’s connected with Ancient Roman May Day celebrations and flower festivals and today it signifies much the same thing. As to the second, the Ghent floralies is an international flower exhibit that was started in 1808 by Frans Van Cassel and the Society of Agriculture and Horticulture (which in 1815 became the Royal Society of Agciculture and Horticulture). 
Van Cassel was a passionate gardener and collector of exotic plants who just wanted to share his love of horticulture. The very first exhibition was February 6, 1809 though it wasn’t known as the “Floralies” until 1873. 
Today the flower festival lasts for one week and occurs every five years. (Talk about being in the right place, at the right time.) This 34th floral expo boasted a 2km walk; 4.5 hectares (11 acres) of indoor garden—the largest in the world; 300,000 visitors; 305 exhibits, and foreign presence from Canada, China, Denmark, Germany, France, Kenya, Italy, Japan, South Africa, Sweden, the Netherlands and the United States. 
So that’s a brief summary of what it is, but that doesn’t even begin to convey what it was like being there. The smells that assail you are luscious, like a breathable elixir. It was incredible. Not only were the colors extremely vibrant, but the variety of flora was astounding. Guaranteed, every color on the spectrum was represented. 
If you ever get the chance to go, or are anywhere near Belgium in April of 2015, you have to go. End of discussion.
Heidi
Heidi
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