The queen is patroness of the Floriade and at the opening, as the first visitor she walked in the brand new park. She was welcomed in Villa Flora by General Director Paul Beck. Villa Flora is the high tech glasshouse building, where during Floriade the flower exhibition Green Emotion can be admired. Accompanied by government minister Schultz van Haegen, secretary of state Bleker and Royal Commissioner Bovens, amongst others, the Queen toured the exhibition.
The Floriadepark is 66 hectare in extent and consists of five different theme areas, connected to each other by wooded areas. In total more than a hundred exhibits have been collected in the park. These may be gardens or pavilions of the participating horticultural sectors, companies and international participants.
35 countries are part of this sixth edition of the Floriade. During the tour in the Floriade park the queen visited amongst others the Japanese entry, the pavilion of the German federal state Nordrhein Westfalia and the exhibit from Azerbaijan.
Representatives of the various countries were there to explain.
After this there were various speakers in the congress centre of the Floriade.
After this there were various speakers in the congress centre of the Floriade.
Paul Beck, General Director of the Floriade mentioned the tough job, which is now almost finished. "From to-morrow, 5th of April, thousands of visitors will experience the day we have been thinking about for years already. The work at the drawing table is now really coming to life. A very special moment."
Secretary of State Bleker of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation, mentioned the importance of the Floriade for the Dutch agri- and horticultural sectors. "I hope that the young visitors will be inspired by the beautiful and innovative agricultural and horticultural products at the Floriade. My dream is that many of them will choose an education later in the top sector of agri- and horticulture. And that after that they will find an interesting job in this highly innovative sector." Musical star Chantal Janzen and Rowwen Heze singer Jack Poels, both from Limburg, together sang the Floriade song, which was also sang at the opening show that evening. In the presence of all guests the queen performed the official opening act at 4 pm and Floriade 2012 started.
The park will remain open to the public for a period of six months. With an expected number of 2 million visitors Floriade is one of the biggest events in the Netherlands.
Floriade put Dutch agri- and horticulture on the map. Thanks to Floriade the Dutch agri- and horticulture have the opportunity to show the world what is available, according to Secretary of State Bleker of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation (EL&I) in Venlo for the opening.
"The Dutch agri- and horticultural sector belong to the top of the world" said Bleker. "During the coming months we have the opportunity to show what is available. In the area of innovation, but also the way in which the sector can contribute for instance to the worldwide demand for sufficient and safe food."
The Floriade has also been made possible because of the assistance of the ministry of EL&I. The government pavillion has been developed by the ministries of EL&I
and I&M.