World Friendship Tulip - Planting Ceremony - Istanbul, Turkey

November 15 in Emigran Park in Istanbul, Turkey was very special as it was the baptism of the new "World Friendship Tulip"  and the first official planting. The Mayor of Istanbul, Kadir Topbas, Klaas de Geus (Maveridge Bulbs), Michel Gauthier and myself were part of the official ceremony. It was a really special moment to plant the blubs that I had a part in bringing to life. I had an idea quite a while ago now that the World Tulip Summit Society needed its own tulip and pursued the idea with Klaas, and it became a reality this year in Istanbul. 

The garden will be in Emigran Park as a symbol of World Friendship. 

I created an accompanying linocut print for the occasion. 

 

The tulip bulbs being guarded after the ceremony, those are really special bulbs.