Latin America Region
It is with great pride and pleasure that I report to you on the activities
of the bonsai organizations affiliated to FELAB, the Latin American Bonsai
Federation. Although we are the youngest region belonging to the WBFF, you
will see as you read this report that the enthusiasm, desire to learn, sharing
and advancement in the art of bonsai is the greatest objective of all our
countries.
When FELAB was founded in February 1992, in Cali, Colombia, in the presence of Mr. John Yoshio Naka, vice chairman of the WBFF, membership consisted of Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
Our main obiective, which is to promote knowledge of the art of bonsai, is being achieved by our groups with proper guidance. Our desire to grow and advance through educational means and through multinational friendship has been rewarded as FELAB now boasts 14 member countries. We have added Argentina, Ecuador, Panama, Guatemala, Mexico, St. Lucia, Martinique, the Dominican Republic, and Brazil to our ranks.
Every two years, we hold a Latin American Bonsai Encounter, where besides having bonsai masters as guest speakers, we have the opportunity to admire bonsai works and talents of representatives of the different countries in our hemisphere. In April 1994, the First Encounter took place in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The main speakers were Chase Rosade from the United States and Pius Notter from Switzerland. In March 1997, the Second Encounter was held in Cali, Colombia, with two distinguished guests: Hatsuji Kato as the head speaker and Mr. Kazuya Morita, both from Japan. The Third Encounter was held in St. Lucia, West Indies, in 1999.
We have published magazines on two occasions and are in the process of publishing a third one. It is called Revesta Felab and it contains information, articles and many interesting items from all our countries.
Quarterly, we publish our newsletter, Felab Informa, both in English and Spanish. In this way we keep and are kept informed of all our activities. It is sent to all member countries and to bonsai enthusiasts from around the world who ask to receive it. The content is based on the activities occurring in the organizations, news updates, ideas, tips, haiku stories and many other bonsai-related issues that make it quite an interesting bonsai bulletin.
ARGENTINA
Argentina, FELAB's most southern country, has great interest in the art
of bonsai. The bonsai organizations are numerous. Besides the Asociacion
Argentina de Bonsai in the capital of Buenos Aires. in the same province
they have Quilmes and La Plats. In the province of Cordoba. the Asociacion
Cordobesa dc Bonsai exists alongside Rio IV, El Molle and San Francisco.
The Asociacion Paranaence de Bonsai is located in the province of Entre
Rios and the Asociacion Santaferina is in the pro\-ince of Santa Fe. where
a Ned association called Sunchnles is being formed. There are over 600 members
in these clubs but as theI-e are so many growers who are not members of
clubs, the total number of Argentinean bonsai lovers is unknown.
The Asociacion Argentina de Bonsai holds classes for children, beginners and advanced students. Every second and fourth Wednesday of each month, All classes are free of charge. This group is celebrating its 20th anniversary and to commemorate this it organized a very successful bonsai exhibit. It is working on a project called "How To in Bonsai," a series of short booklets that soon will be published.
National bonsai exhibitions are held every year in different cities: Santa Fe in 1993, Corbada in 1994 and Buenos Aires in 1995, 1996 and 1997. All the bonsai organizations of the country take part in these events. The Japanese Embassy Cultural Center hosts a special Bonsai Event and Exhibit every two years.
Since June 1995, the association has been publishing the excellent and unique magazine "SOLO BONSAI." Its editor, Marita de Gurruchaga, is a very dedicated and knowledgeable bonsai enthusiast. It is not only distributed to all corners of Argentina, but to all the other FELAB organizations as well. There is great enthusiasm for bonsai in this country. In 1998, each province had its different bonsai activities and pilot schemes prepared by primary schools where bonsai was introduced in workshops with youngsters.
BRAZIL
Brazil is a new country in our regional organization. The country has several
bonsai organizations, all very active. A very instructional magazine is
published called "0 Mundo do Bonsai" (The World of Bonsai), whose
editor is Marcel0 Miller, a true bonsai enthusiast. This magazine reaches
all comers of this vast country and luckily is also distributed to the other
Latin American countries and many other parts of the world.
Among the many bonsai organizations are the Brazilian Bonsai Society founded in 1994, and Koke Ni Bonsai Group, both from Rio de Janeiro. The development and the refinement of the art of bonsai have been their main goals. As an innovation to bonsai, they have been studying native Brazilian plants and their adaptation into bonsai material.
In 1994, two major exhibitions were held and admired by many people. One was in November, at the Itanhanga Golf Club in Rio de Janeiro, which was inaugurated by the Japanese consul general. The other was in Chico Mendes Ecological Park, and was a fund raiser.
In 1995, over 2,000 people were able to admire the two exhibits that took place. The first was in Petropolis in August, during the "Week of Japan" and the second was in November at the Mariana Barra Club, also inaugurated by the Japanese consul general.
In November 1996, the first national convention was held in Rio de Janeiro. Many committees and programs were formed in preparation for this important event. On Saturday mornings there is a weekly bonsai exhibit at "Praca do Bonsai." This event is organized for bonsai enthusiasts from all le\,els and is a great opportunity to learn about bonsai.
COLOMBIA
It would be almost impossible to count the number of bonsai enthusiasts
in Colombia, as many are not members of organizations. In the past few years
interest in and demonstrations of the art of bonsai have grown immensely.
This has had a very definite positive effect, which can be seen in the knowledge
that the general public has acquired and very specially with the interest
shown by the children.
There are several bonsai organizations in Colombia, the Asociacion Colombiana de Bonsai in Bogota, the Asociacion Caldense de Bonsai en Manizales, the Asociacion Antioquena de Bonsai in Medellin and other clubs in Cartagena, Popayan and other cities.
The leading bonsai organization in the country is in Cali, and called The Asociacion Vallecaucana de Bonsai (ABV). It is continuously strengthening its structure to benefit not only its members but the community as well. The educational committee, directed toward furthering knowledge, provides instruction on philosophy, planting, development, design, and maintenance of trees. There is a data bank committee whose function is to collect and publish experiences in the development of trees to guide in the maintenance and care of bonsai. The exhibition committee is constantly organizing displays at three levels: beginning bonsai, bonsai in training and designed bonsai. This approach has allowed the public to obtain an excellent visual knowledge of the development process of trees. Prior to an exhibitions, beginners are encouraged to attend workshops that provide constructive criticism in general.
The main activities in 1993 were the Fifth International Bonsai Convention in February, which included an important exhibition. Participants came not only from Colombia but from many neighboring countries as well. Throughout the year, bonsai activities took place monthly. The major exhibits were: Tulua, Buga, the XG International Orchid Exhibit, which we, the Association, attended as exhibiting guests, and others in Unicentro, Universidad del Valle and Holguines Trade Center.
During 1994, many educational programs and events were planned for members and institutions. One symposium was held in Tulua and included a large bonsai exhibit. Three other major exhibits and bazaars took place throughout this year.
In 1995, ABV started with the Sixth International Bonsai Convention, which many participants enjoyed. A very important exhibition took place and participants were able to view private collections. As always, throughout this year, the association was invited to exhibit at main events and four displays of great importance were staged.
In 1996, besides the continuing educational activities, all efforts were aimed at the Second Latin American Bonsai Encounter which took place in celebration of the association's 15th anniversary. It was an event that attracted many bonsai enthusiasts from several Latin Americans countries who came to learn from the guest speaker, Mr. Hatsuji Kato, of the Nippon Bonsai Association.
For 1998, its activities consisted of bonsai classes for the young and the elderly, a program called "floating workshops," which took place at different locations, and the forming of a school for bonsai instructors. A new revised edition of the manual "The Essential in Bonsai" was published in 1998. It is indeed a very active and enthusiast bonsai group lead by its President, Victor Cajiao.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
At the end of the Second World War, the Dominican Republic welcomed various
groups of immigrants. Among these was a group of Japanese who arrived in.1955,
bringing with them their many traditions. To our fortune, bonsai was one
of them. The older colonists still recall several of these bonsai enthusiasts.
One was Mr. Takeo Sone, an agronomist engineer who made San Cristobal his
home. Today, one can still see several of his trees that are being cared
for by Mr. Miguel Mendez. Mr. Kitada, who was an expert bonsai person working
at the Japanese embassy, was another pioneer. Once his diplomatic mission
finished, he gave away his collection of native trees. Unfortunately, their
location is unknown. Another who had a great influence in this country was
Mr. Matsunaga. From the moment of his arrival in the city of Puerto Plata,
he began teaching martial arts, sumie painting, and gardening, and he started
bonsai classes with a small group of enthusiasts. These were the first bonsai
classes ever to be given in this country.
A very dedicated person in bonsai in the Dominican Republic is Mr. Miguel Mendez. He studied in Toju-en in Omiya, Japan, with Mr. Hiromi Hamano and as a Dominican, has influenced his fellow bonsai enthusiasts. During many years the bonsai enthusiasts were disseminated and only occasionally would get together. In February 1996, a nursery invited Pedro Morales from Puerto Rico. He shared with them his experiences and imparted a lot of enthusiasm to people to form a bonsai association. In October 1996, the Asociacion Dominican de Bonsai was founded.
During 1997, the association, now part of FELAB, was busy giving bonsai classes in the cities of Santo Domingo and Santiago de Los Caballeros. Its members met once a week to talk bonsai and organize collecting trips. The first bonsai exhibit took place in the Botanical Garden in May 1997 and was very successful. As the foliage of trees change, the association also changes according to members' needs. Their only requirements are philosophy, discipline, patience and humility.
ECUADOR
Bonsai has been well known for over 30 years in the country of Ecuador.
It is estimated that there are over 2,000 enthusiasts from all over the
country but the general concept is that there are a great many more. The
main group, which is in Quito, the capital, is Club Bonsai de Quito, which
has a big group of members who have been working together since 1994. They
have had various instructors visit them and continue to work towards acquiring
more knowledge and experience. The Club Bonsai Guayaquil is a very enthusiastic
group which is constantly organizing educational programs to aid in the
improvement of the art. In 1993, its members participated in a project called
"Native Forests" that was 29.part of a project by Fundacion Natura
entitled "Our Forests, Our Inheritance." It lasted 30 days. In
July that year the club organized a symposium for members but certain lectures
were also open to the general public. A wonderful program that was done
in August was teaching bonsai to a group of 40 young people between 13 and
18 years old. The complete course lasted one month. At the end of 1993,
the club presented an exhibition on Japanese gardens that won first place.
In 1994, much study and practice of maintenance for beginner, advanced and intermediate classes was carried out. A very important exhibit was organized by the Tennis Club of Guayaquil to celebrate its 10th anniversary as the first bonsai organization in Ecuador.
The Ecuadorians have found that inviting the general public to events has had a very positive effect in the appreciation of bonsai in the country. Since 1995, they have continued to organize introductory classes on bonsai maintenance and care and have been invited to give these on national television. They have monthly meetings at private houses for their members. Their annual exhibition for 1998 was organized for spring.
MARTINIQUE
In the West French Indies, we have a young bonsai club that recently joined
FELAB. It is The Tropik Bonsai Club. In early 199.5, Xenio Baron, a true
bonsai enthusiast, was invited to display a few of his bonsai in an exhibition
of Japanese art. In view of his success, he decided to form a group together
with five friends and thus the Tropik Bonsai Club was born in December 1995.
Two months after its foundation the club had 22 members and at the end of
1996 it catered for a total of 4.5 enthusiasts. Today, it has approximately
80 members who meet once a month to perfect their art, exchange techniques,
and give advice to the beginners. In 1997, it directed its workshops towards
the main basic principles of bonsai techniques.
The club's main objective is to develop and promote the art of bonsai in all its technical and cultural dimensions with tropical trees. In November 1996, the club invited a Japanese bonsai instructor. Yasushi Onuma, who lives in France. Over one week they learned from the experiences of Mr. Onuma, who they invited again in 1998 during their Easter holiday.
To celebrate the second anniversary of Tropik Bonsai Club, a bonsai exhibition was held in a villa of the Ceneral Council with over 1,500 visitors during the two-day event. It is important to realize that this was their first bonsai exhibition and they displayed about 80 trees from shohin size to about 1.20 meters. The bonsai in the exhibit all had been designed by a member of the club. In this way, their objective was fulfilled as they showed what could be done with their own species while respecting the basic bonsai techniques.
The Tropik Bonsai Club had many projects for 1998 and was confident that the number of members in the club would double. Their next big exhibition took place in 2000.
MEXICO
Starting in 199-1, a group of bonsai enthusiasts in Mexico had the idea
of putting together a director-y with the names of all the people that were
dedicated to the art of bonsai in Mexico, be it as a hobby or commercial
business.
Based on this idea, the established business "Bazar de Plantas" organized the First Bonsai Symposium, which was held from October 27-29, 1994, in the Hotel Royal Pedregal in Mexico City. At the end of this event, the idea of founding the Asociacion Mexicana de Bonsai came up and it was formally constituted one year later, in October 1995 together with the First Bonsai Exhibition in autumn in the Museum Del Carmen in Mexico City. \
Since that time, the association has continued to hold its meetings at the same site. Every first Tuesday of the month, there is a meeting held where a lecturer gives advice and a demonstration on bonsai. This is open not only to members but to anyone interested in joining the association in search of knowledge in the art of bonsai.
In March 1997, two exhibits were held, one at the Autonoma de Chapingo and the other at the Bosque de Chalpultepec in Mexico City. During these two events, not only were numerous bonsai exhibited, but tables with bonsai supplies were also offered to the pubiic. In June, the Asociacion Mexicana de Bonsai was invited to exhibit at the Museum of the National University. At a nearby city called Texcoco, the association organized a small exhibition in July.
The last important event in 1997 was the club's own exhibit at the museum headquarters, with over 190 trees on display. During this event, which was held from October 1 to 12, 1997, there was a daily demonstration to the general public. It was a very successful event with numerous visitors admiring the art of bonsai. It is still a small Association but it is growing everyday for the benefit of bonsai in Mexico.
In Guadalajara, there is another small but enthusiastic group called Bonsai Calli Guadalajara, founded in 1983. This group maintains a permanent collection of bonsai in the city museum, where bonsai classes are given regularly at no charge. The group meets monthly at houses of different members with the aim of discussing the trees of the host or hostess. At these meetings, the host or hostess has a tree which members work on either designing, pruning, or whatever he or she has planned for the meeting.
This group had a very active schedule for 1998. Among their plans was helping the Latin American Bonsai Federation (FELAB) organize the First Latin American Bonsai Encounter in San Juan. This very successful event brought bonsai enthusiasts from various countries to our region. There was an opportunity to make presentations on behalf of all. which strengthened our friendship.
PERU
In the country of Peru there are many groups of bonsai lovers who work each
in their own region to improve their knowledge of bonsai. It would be very
difficult to estimate the exact number of bonsai admirers but we can say
for sure that the general concept of appreciation is very strong.
At the moment bonsai enthusiasts are still trying to cover all the territory in order to form a federation that would bring all enthusiasts together. The Club Peruano de Bonsai is the leading organization. There is a large Japanese colony in Lima and this together with the club's great enthusiasm gives members the opportunity to plan extensive bonsai exhibitions and provide the general public with a good knowledge of bonsai.
Working twice a month, this group offers workshops to advanced, intermediate and beginner. Seminars for the experienced, and beautiful exhibits also add to the public's general enjoyment of bonsai.
Every year, La Convention National de Bonsai is organized by this club. One of the main features of this convention is learning to make artificial rocks and incorporating them in bonsai compositions. Events also include a very large and beautiful exhibition not only on bonsai but suiseki as well.
ST. LUCIA
The Bonsai Society of St. Lucia in the West Indies was established in 1989.
Since then, its membership has grown from nine to over 80 bonsai enthusiasts.
It publishes a wonderful bulletin that keeps the Latin American Bonsai Federation
(FELAB) informed on all the activities taking place in St. Lucia, a beautiful
island in the Caribbean Sea. In 1993, St. Lucia became part of FELAB. Ever
since, all FELAB's correspondence has been written in two languages: English
and Spanish!
The objectives of the society are to promote, encourage and improve the art of bonsai cultivation in St. Lucia by holding meetings, exhibitions, field trips, short trips to nearby countries and any other activity as deemed appropriate by the society.
The society holds an annual exhibition to promote the art of bonsai and to recruit new members. Meeting are held regularly on the second Thursday of every month.
Affiliating with other groups societies or associations having similar objectives is another goal of the Bonsai Society of St. Lucia. In keeping with the society's objectives, members have forged greater links with bonsai enthusiasts from the Eastern Caribbean through constantly exchanging ideas. They are continually encouraging sister groups to join international bodies to benefit from circulation of information and regular visits of their executives. They have also benefited greatly from the regular visit of Pedro Morales, who has assisted them through the years and has been instrumental in helping them become members.
It is with great pride that the Bonsai Society of St.Lucia hosted the Third Latin American Bonsai Encounter from June 24 to 27, 1999, in St, Lucia, West Indies. The society's main activities are: investigation and conservation of their natural resources, and the spreading and popularization of their flora.
Each society, in its region, develops multiple didactics on bonsai, horticulture and conservation. They include: courses related to bonsai, seminars, workshops, conferences and field collecting with emphasis on conservation. Over 100 trees are displayed in yearly exhibitions by invitation of museums and art centers, which give a special level to this art in Venezuela. This year, a new group, Fundacion Amigos de Bonsai, was formed in the city of Caracas. This group added to the activity of all the other societies.
Sociedad Venezolana de Bonsai from Caracas:
Originally founded in 1976 in Caracas as Club Venezolano de Bonsai, this
organization holds at least three main exhibits a year. One is by invitation
of the Japanese Embassy to accompany the society in the celebration of La
Semana de1 Japon, an event that also includes other Japanese arts. An exhibition
for beginners, with no less than 80 to 100 bonsai, is held mainly in art
centers. During the celebration of the society's 20th anniversary, a beautiful
exhibition took place at the Museum de Arte Contemporaneo of Caracas. The
society constantly holds courses, lectures and demonstrations for beginners,
intermediates and the advanced. In 1997, the year closed with a crash beginners
course given to children aged 8 to 12.
Sociadad Conservacionistay de Bonsai from Valencia: Their 20th anniversary was celebrated in June 1997 with an excellent event: the r International Bonsai Convention. Invitations for lectures and demonstrations were sent to all other bonsai societies in the country of the convention. The big exhibition was extraordinary and showed many, many species in almost all possible bonsai styles in an impeccable presentation. Prior to the convention, a course for beginners and intermediates was held.
Throughout the year, society members continue with the routine of weekly workshops and 1997 ended with a course for 50 new enthusiasts.
Among the projects is the study of the "Macano" (Diphysa robinioides), a tropical tree found in areas of Central America and northern South America. It has excellent potential as a bonsai. In March 1997, during the Second Latin American Encounter, in Cali, Colombia, Lili de Bennett gave a lecture on this subject in representation of Panama.
All these activities have contributed to the foundation of two new associations: Asociacion Amigos de1 Bonsai and Asociacion Bonsai de Las Cumbres.
It all started in 1991 and the associations are still growing!
PUERTO RICO
In the beautiful Caribbean island of Puerto Rico there are several bonsai
organizations that have formed the Puerto Rico Bonsai Federation:
Club Bonsai de Puerto Rico Capitulo de San Juan
Club Bonsai de Puerto Rico Capitulo de Caguas
Club Bonsai de Puerto Rico Capitulo de Arecibo
Club Bonsai de Puerto Rico Capitulo de Hamacao
Club Bonsaistas Asoeiados de Carolina
Besides their constant beginner and advanced classes, workshops, and seminars, they are now involved in a. very interesting project with handicapped people . teaching them the techniques of bonsai. This, of course, requires much of their time and many of their members take turns being involved in this program. This is an outstanding activity that merits sincere congratulations.
Every year the groups organize an enormous bonsai exhibit in a very spacious and important place called "Plaza de People." As it is open to the general public, there are numerous bonsai lovers present whose interest continues to grow. The art form of bonsai is very important in this tiny but beautiful country.
PANAMA
Despite being such a small country, Panama has quite a large group of bonsai
enthusiasts who mostly belong to the Asociacion Bonsai de Panama. It is
estimated that a great number of people are true admirers of the art of
bonsai. It was in 1991 that a group of enthusiasts were talking over the
idea of having a bonsai club in Panama. Finally, The Asociacion Bonsai de
Panama was founded, and from then on the group has grown day by day, and
so have its activities and the members' trees! The association's members
participated in 1993 at the International Bonsai Convention in Cali, Colombia.
That same year they organized a five-day seminar on tropical bonsai, which
was the first true step towards , improvement. During the following years,
the association has worked towards one main objective: promoting and teaching
bonsai to the general public. Members have worked with Pedro Morales to
achieve this goal.
Besides all the activities open to the public, the association holds two seminars yearly with international speakers, such as Beatriz de Borrero and Victor Cajiao, both from Colombia. It also holds meetings twice a month in which members exhibit their own trees, share ideas and concepts and prepare lectures and workshops. Some trees are donated by the association and are later sold in different activities as fund-raisers for instructional projects. They are also fond of field trips to collect trees and suiseki. These trips are done during the rainy season between April and November.
URUGUAY
Montevideo, the capital city of Uruguay, is full of bonsai enthusiasts and
many belong to the Asociacion Uruguaya de Bonsai. There are still many bonsai
lovers scattered about the country but it would be impossible to estimate
the great number of organizations, small and large, that have not yet formed
a federation to bring them all together. We do know for sure that in this
southern country, the love and appreciation for bonsai grows more and more
every year.
Sponsored by the Japanese embassy, bonsai lovers organize annual meetings where large exhibits are on display while main demonstrations take place. They also have monthly meetings for members and guests where the participants can take workshops on wiring, pruning, design, and many other things related to the art of bonsai. With the foundation of the Cultural Association of Japan, their immediate plan is to build a Japanese garden on the premises.
VENEZUELA
Venezuelan bonsai societies work continuously in the pursuit of better
knowledge of the art of bonsai, which can only be acquired by sharing experiences.
These experiences are exchanged among the societies in very pleasant reunions,
often during exhibitions to which other groups are invited. Mainly the discussions
are about bonsai, but all the Venezuelan bonsai societies are very interested
in the preservation of all species, vegetable or otherwise. The healthy
rules on collecting are duly kept. The societies' goal is to create a state
of awareness in all the region in this sense, for people in general to realize
that they are all united, even unconsciously, through a deep love and respect
of nature.
The groups dedicated to bonsai in Venezuela are societies whose motivation is their strict respect for bonsai design rules, which contribute to their excellent trees.
Club Zuliano De Bonsai y la Conservation (CZBC) from Maracaibo: This club, with its headquarters in Maracaibo, keeps working and experimenting with local species in close relation to La Universidad de1 Zuila. The many that form this organization are very active in demonstrations, lectures and workshops. They have regular exhibits and are a very active group.
Sociedad Conservacionista y de Bonsai-Guyana (SCBG) from Bolivar: This newly founded 1995 bonsai group, which gives much respect to conservation. has had very extensive yearly programs with many exhibits, courses, demonstrations, and more. This group is sponsored by Sidor, the steel producer industry most important in Latin America. Although it is far from all other bonsai societies, members retain their enthusiasm and have the privilege of living close to one of the most beautiful sites for collecting.
Fundacion Amigos del Bonsai: A recently founded group, with few members but with long experience, held in 1997 a Bonsai exhibit at one of the most important museums in Caracas, Venezuela. Their work is a continued effort to increase their knowledge and advancement in the art of Bonsai.
by Solita D. Tafur Rosade
President of FELAB
WBFF Director of Latin America Region