NABF Newsletter #6

Feature #14

5th WBC Update

The 5th World Bonsai Convention coming May 28 – 31, 2005, to Washington, DC, USA will be the biggest bonsai event of 2005. Sponsors include the American Bonsai Society, Bonsai Clubs International, the National Bonsai Foundation, the US National Arboretum, and the Potomac Bonsai Association. The North American Bonsai Federation is the regional host of the 5th WBC on behalf of the World Bonsai Friendship Federation. So all this celebration of fine bonsai and allied arts is a tribute to the few WBFF founders who saw the potential to advance friendship and peace around the world through bonsai. What a great excuse to celebrate!

As time is growing shorter, the convention plans are coming together nicely. Demonstrators, speakers and workshop leaders have been lined up to represent all nine regions of the WBFF world, so rarely will there be such an opportunity to see this diversity of bonsai talent. In connection with a recent WBFF meeting in Tokyo, Jack Sustic and I were pleased to see that so many in the bonsai world are eager to make the 5th WBC a great success. The Japanese artists participating in the convention include: Hiroshi Takeyama (Nippon Bonsai Association chairman), Koichi Masumi (All Japan Shohin Bonsai Association chairman), Arishige Matsuura (Nippon Suiseki Association chairman), and Keiko Yamane (renowned creator of grass plantings).

The artists and experts representing other regions of the world include: Jim Barrett (USA), Lindsay Bebb (Australia), Charles Ceronio (South Africa), Thomas Elias (USA), Luis Ricardo Garcia (Venezuela), Gadiel Gonzalez, Jr. (Puerto Rico), Don Gould (USA), Guy Guidry (USA), Kemin Hu (China and USA), Marco Invernizzi (Italy), Arthur Joura (USA), Mary Madison (USA), Roy Nagatoshi (USA), Nikunj & Jyoti Parekh (India), Solita Rosade (Colombia & USA), Kathy Shaner (USA), Lindsay Shiba (USA), Arthur Skolnik (Canada), Robert Steven (Indonesia), Jack Sustic (USA), Steven Tolley (United Kingdom), William Valavanis (USA), and Quingquan "Brook" Zhao (China). Note that some of the interesting topics to be covered will be bonsai pots, suiseki and Chinese scholar's rocks, new native species for bonsai, bonsai display, and bonsai history. We hope you find this list exciting and intriguing.

Plans also are underway for three major exhibits: bonsai, viewing stones, and bonsai pots. Allied exhibits will be held at the US National Arboretum. Other highlights include 20 workshops, the New Talent Contest, vendors by the dozen, auctions and raffles for fun and excitement, a children's workshop, a special dinner and program at the US National Arboretum, and a few surprises. Add to this the multidimensional attractions of Washington, DC, with its many historic monuments and building, fine dining and entertainment, and you have a bonsai nut's dream. We invite you to celebrate friendship and peace with us and have a great bonsai time in Washington, DC, May 28-31, 2005.

Glenn Reusch
Co-Chair, 5th WBC