September 9-11, in Kyiv the National Florists Competiotion took place in the framework of International Exhibition FloriDeco.
The Netherlands is the major supplier of floricultural products to Ukraine. However the country is also among largest donors of Ukraine providing military, economic and humanitarian aid.
For the Netherlands, floriculture is one of the leading sectors that is framed by technologies, innovations and international cooperation. The Embassy of the Netherlands support the National Competition for the promotion of the professional growth of Ukrainian florists and the development of floricultural sector of Ukraine.
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Cooperation with Ukrainian Florists Association Асоціація Українських Флористів thrives though the years and on 9-11 September 2026 we met again at the National Florists’ Competition and ReForm Floral Demonstrations that took place in the framework of Exhibitions ProMaisonShow + Christmas Trade Show + World of Gifts Trade Show + FloriDeco in Kyiv.
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National Florists` Competition
The annual competition is an important event for Ukrainian Floristry, since the winner will represent Ukraine at World Cup. This competition is about talent, boldness, craftsmanship, and a love for floristry. This year the intense attacks on Kyiv prevented all the registered participants to take part in the competition. However 10 brave contestants showed their outstanding skills despite constant air alarms and sleepless nights.
In this challenging time for Ukraine support of sponsors of the completion is very valuable. The participants received high-quality materials and the competition was able to take place at such a professional level. Among the companies contributing with flowers and floristic materials there are Dutch companies Astrafund; Decorum; Deliflor Chrysanten, Sunselle.
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This year finalists are:
Debut of the Year and the special award from the Netherlands Embassy - Tetiana Yakubova
3rd Place of the category Master Florist – Inna Neikurs
2nd Place – Allan Lesnikov
1st place and the winner of the competition – Olena Driuchan
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Floristic Show "ReForm: Life Goes On—The Code of Struggle"
Three day exhibition program was full with thematic events and master classes. With the support of the Embassy the Floristic Show "ReForm: Life Goes On—The Code of Struggle" took place.
Incredible Ukrainian florists Inna Petrenko, Kateryna Fedonchuk, and Volodymyr Vakhrushkin shared their personal stories of life, resilience, art and work during the war.
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It is about reflecting the reality of war in art. It is about the ability to transform the experience of struggle into new meanings—turning gear and shrapnel into artifacts, and pain into the strength to create and move forward.
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Ukrainian florists are working with the reality we face, creating a new artistic language—a language of resilience, memory, and hope.
“Living and creating during the war—amidst the war and for the sake of the war. What is it like? Circumstances may brake you into pieces, yet the power of creativity grants the strength and inspiration to keep living, creating, finding inspiration, sharing, pouring yourself into the work, and believing in victory.
"Re Form" is about reshaping and co-creating with reality—accepting it as it is and working with what we have. We are left with scorched fields and mined forests, ruined homes and shattered lives. Lost opportunities, projects, and time... Yet, we also hold a sincere belief in victory. This gives us the strength to create, to see the light, and to transform wounds into flowers. It is the transformation of the war’s debris into art objects. The pain remains, but as an experience, it empowers us to move forward and keep creating. We invite you to join the discussion and the opportunity to create together.”
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Carolien Spaans, Agricultural Counsellor in Ukraine sincerely thanked the florists, who despite of painful personal experience created such a beautiful floristic story that touched all. She also expressed the gratitude to the Dutch companies that continue to support the events in Ukraine and their Ukrainian partners.
Vincent Sprokholt Senour Policy Officer fir Ukraine from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the Netherlands expressed admiration for the Ukrainian florists who continue to create even as drones attack civilian infrastructure around the exhibition center. He assured that the Netherlands remains committed to supporting Ukraine in this struggle and will continue to provide assistance.