Delhi: The Delhi chapter of Ikebana International celebrated their Golden Anniversary this year on 20.12.2015. The event was held at Eros Hotel, Nehru Place presided over by Mrs. Divya Ansal, who is the president of Ikebana International’s Delhi chapter.
Ikebana International is a non-profit, cultural organization dedicated to the promotion and appreciation of Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement. The late Ellen Gordon Allen founded the organization in 1956 to promote friendship among different cultures, through their mutual love of nature and enjoyment of Ikebana. This art of arranging flowers followed by rules of different schools in Japan has attracted nearly 10,000 women & men all over the world. It has 163 chapters spread all around the world. Enthusiastic volunteers of many different nationalities and Ikebana Schools administer Ikebana International.
Ikebana International organizes monthly programs of demonstrations and workshops. They also organize an annual exhibition, which has become a major event on Delhi’s cultural calendar. Over the years personalities like Mrs. Vijaylakshami Pandit, Mrs. Sarojini Naidu, Dr. Zakir Hussain, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma and more recently Mrs. Gursharan Kaur, Mrs. Salma Hamid Ansari, Mrs. Shiela Dikshit, Mrs. AmbikaSoni, Mrs. Renuka Choudhry and Mr. Arun Jaitley to name a few have inaugurated their annual exhibitions and the organization is definitely picking pace in the country.
Concluding the event, Mrs. Divya Ansal was quoted saying, “It has been a great journey so far for Ikebana International and would love to see it grow leaps and bounds over the years ahead. The very concept of this organization was so noble that it was destined to grow many folds since it’s inception. It is very heartening to see the overwhelming response the event gathered and we look forward to improve on all fronts in the time ahead and at the same time encouraging more people to be a part of it.”
