Europe Region
Since its establishment in Heidelberg in 1980, the European Bonsai Association
(EBA), has acted as a coordinating body for bonsai organisations within
its member countries. The primary aim of the association, acting as a non-profit
making organization, has been to promote bonsai art and culture, stimulating
its members and teaching them all aspects of the art and science of bonsai.
Much of this has been and continues to be achieved through the bonsai associations
and federations within the eleven member countries: Belgium, Denmark, Germany,
France, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and
the United Kingdom.
It is by virtue of the efforts of these member countries that bonsai in Europe today is enjoying such a high degree of popularity. Within each of these countries, bonsai groups and societies meet on a regular basis, holding exhibitions and small conventions. In most instances, the societies join together under the auspices of their national association to put on a major event, often in the form of a national convention, which usually includes an exhibition bringing together a wide range of quality bonsai specimens from that country. Ever since its establishment, the EBA has held annual conventions, hosted each time by a different member country. In the three years from 1993, these conventions were held in Luxembourg (1993), Valencia, Spain (1994) and Monaco (1995). All these events proved popular both with the regular bonsai enthusiasts and with members of the public visiting the bonsai exhibitions. The hosting organisations, on behalf of the EBA, have put together varied programmes of lectures, demonstrations and workshops, presented by leading bonsai artists from Europe and such countries as Japan and the United States. On each occasion, local sponsorship has been obtained. Recently, a number of these events have also enjoyed the support of the Nippon Bonsai Association.
The structure and organisation of each of the bonsai associations in member countries within the EBA is as varied as the languages and cultures of these countries. This is clearly demonstrated when viewing the organizations individually:
Belgium
Today the main Belgium Bonsai Federation comprises about 20 clubs spread
throughout the country with over 1,400 members. It is estimated that these
account for over 90% of all bonsai enthusiasts in that country. Belgium
organizes a number of bonsai exhibitions each year. In 1993, it produced
its first Bonsai Yearbook, aimed at providing information on the subject
to schools, garden centers and horticultural organizations.
Denmark
The Danish Bonsai Club is divided into eight working groups totaling about
700 members. There are also bonsai enthusiasts in the Faroe Islands and
Greenland, which are governed by Denmark. Although not strictly in Europe,
these two regions are situated in proximity of the harsh Arctic climate.
Therefore, the interest in bonsai, for obvious reasons, is directed more
at tropical and sub-tropical trees kept indoors! The Danish organization
puts on a major event each year involving all its member groups.
France
The French Bonsai Federation continues to expand and now comprises nearly
40 bonsai societies with over 1,000 members. It is estimated that these
constitute about 50% of all bonsai enthusiasts in that country. The federation
regularly sets up regional events hosted by a local society, and has staged
major events such as the "Festival of Bonsai" held in Paris in
1993. It has also established a successful magazine published within that
country.
Germany
Since reorganizing in 1990, the German Bonsai Federation now acts on behalf
of about 150 local bonsai groups. It produces a magazine which has over
3,000 subscribers. It is thought, however, that, the main interest in bonsai
in Germany has remained largely in the western part of that country; because
of economic factors, there are not as yet many enthusiasts of bonsai in
the former East Germany, but this area is steadily developing. The German
Federation puts on a major exhibition each year, and for 1996, acted as
host to the European Bonsai Association Congress, which was held in Munich,
Bavaria in May that year, with guest speakers from Europe and Japan.
Italy
Until late 1995, Italy had two bonsai federations, which have now amalgamated
into a single entity. With a combined membership well in excess of 2,000,
these two organizations have successfully promoted the ethos 21.of bonsai
and the formation of new clubs throughout Italy. In addition, they publish
quality magazines and newsletters and have regularly organized major bonsai
exhibitions and conventions. One of the former organizations (AIB) has been
involved in running at least three major events, in the northern, central
and southern parts of Italy. The other former federation (ABAN) has an annual
national convention each year and has during the last three to four years
successfully established a bonsai teachers project aimed at training those
enthusiasts wishing to become as teachers and demonstrators of the art of
bonsai. In addition to local and national events, it has also organized
a number of trips abroad, thereby enabling members to see bonsai in such
countries as Japan.
Luxembourg
Among the smaller affiliates of the European Bonsai Association, the Luxembourg
club at present has about 120 members, who successfully hosted the 1993
EBA Convention. They have a quarterly publication and usually put on at
least two major events each year in the form of an exhibition and bonsai
fair, often inviting speakers from abroad. Being one of the smallest countries
in Europe (25,000 square kilometres) and surrounded by other countries,
its bonsai enthusiasts tend to travel extensively to visit their neighbors.
They are able to maintain regular international contacts by attending bonsai
events in these different places.
Monaco
The Bonsai Club of Monaco can justifiably claim to be the smallest club
in Europe, if not in the world, yet it possesses a lively and enthusiastic
membership with Prince Ranier being their honorary president. Like the club
in Luxembourg, the Bonsai Club of Monaco maintains close contact with groups
in other nations that share their bonsai interests. In spite of being the
youngest member of the EBA as well as the smallest, It has already hosted
two major events, the most recent being the EBA Convention of 1995.
Netherlands
An ever growing organization, the Dutch Bonsai Club comprises a membership
of about 1,700 individuals in 14 regional groups. They, too, have done much
to promote bonsai through exhibitions and conventions, having hosted two
EBA conventions.
Spain
This country has experienced some difficulty in bringing together all the
clubs within its borders. At present, there are two national organizations
who hope to amalgamate in the near future. In 1994, Spain hosted the EBA
Congress at the Iberflora Exhibition in Valencia. Saburo Kato and Shinichi
Nakajima were major demonstrators at this exhibition along with Dan Barton,
Masimo Bandera and Horst Krekeler. An excellent display that included trees
provided by the Spanish Prime Minister, Phillipe Gonzales, was put on at
this event.
Switzerland
The Swiss Federation, with a membership of around 3,000, consists of five
clubs and 2,000 individual members. Pius Notter, the honorary president,
produces a regular magazine which is distributed to all members.
United Kingdom
The Federation of British Bonsai Societies has 75 member clubs, probably
involving at least 5,000 members. This does not include individual bonsai
enthusiasts and commercial members. The federation holds a national exhibition
and national convention on alternate inviting years. In 1994, the national
exhibition was staged in Keighley, Yorkshire, and featured side demonstrations
by Peter Adams and Harry Tomlinson. In 1995, a national convention was held
in Hull, with demonstrators brought in from America. The National Bonsai
Collection of the United Kingdom, established in 1991, was in 1995 proud
to accept the prestigious gift of a juniper from Omiya City, Japan.
Thus it becomes evident from the various descriptions of organizations and activities in the different parts of Europe that bonsai has become an established entity in this region. In addition, there are also bonsai organizations in other countries not part of the EBA who maintain contact with EBA members. These include Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Norway, Russia, and Sweden.
Also, to complement bonsai, there is now a well established European Suiseki Association, which has had its own exhibitions and now regularly features examples of suiseki at various events, including EBA conventions.
Events
European Bonsai Association Congresses 1996: Munich, Germany (May 23rd-27th).
Demonstrators: Dan Barton, Hideo Kato and Pius Notter. 1997: Eruges, Belgium
(May lst-4th). Demonstrators from 10 countries. During the subsequent two
years, member regions hosting the EBA Convention were: 1998: Fermo, Italy
(October 30th-November 1st) 1999: Stratford-on-Avon, United Kingdom (July
30th-August 1st).
In EBA Member Countries
Denmark, 25th-27th May, 1996 (held in Copenhagen). Holland, 20th April;
26th/27th May; lst/2nd June, 1996. Major bonsai exhibitions in the United
Kingdom: 22ndi23rd June, 1996, National Bonsai Exhibition (Swindon). 25th
- 27th April 1997, International Bonsai Convention and Exhibition, Bournemouth.
In addition to these, all the member countries put on events to exhibit and promote bonsai both at local clubs and the national level. These have always proved popular among the members of the public who visit these exhibitions and conventions. The ever increasing number of new clubs which appear in many countries, reflects the growing popularity of bonsai as a hobby.
In addition to having enthusiasts who possess bonsai 22.from Japan and other Far Eastern countries, the European region is fortunate in having a wide variety of indigenous trees, many of which do not exist in other parts of the world. These have become a native source of bonsai. Over the last 25 years, bonsai has grown from strength to strength in Europe and this is clearly reflected by the increasing number of bonsai created from this indigenous stock. With this it is clear that the "European style" of bonsai is appearing, which highlights the variety of species, styles and climate enjoyed in this region of the world.
Through its newsletter, the EBA continues to regularly maintain contact between its member countries and offers a means of promoting bonsai events within this complex region. Today, European bonsai are readily accessible to all who are interested, no matter which part of the continent they happen to reside in. With these opportunities available the EBA will continue to encourage and promote bonsai in Europe for many years to come.
by Dr. Malcolm Hughes,
WBFF Director, European Region.
President, European Bonsai Association.
Personal Thoughts and Experiences
Although the Far East and things Oriental have always held a fascination for me, it was many years before I discovered bonsai; never fully appreciating at that time how significant a part of my life this form of art would become. It is now nearly 20 years since my interest in bonsai first began and during that time it has led me down new paths and to many friendships. Bonsai has provided me both with mental stimulation and an opportunity to enjoy the peace and tranquillity brought about by working on or just looking at this form of art, and of nature in miniature. It is clear as to how bonsai has evolved around the world, most notably in the last twenty years or more. During the period that I have been involved with bonsai, I have found that the hobby has provided me with the pleasure of numerous friendships both within Europe and around the world. The WBFF has contributed towards this establishment of friendship and goodwill, by breaking down frontiers between countries and continents through an art form based on nature. Long may it continue to do so.