‘Blossoms of Hope’ funds medication for Cancer Hospital

Text and pix by Gamini Sarath Godakanda

Ikebana International Sri Lanka Chapter 262 presented its annual exhibition, ‘Blossoms of Hope’ recently at Ramada Colombo.

This year’s exhibition is the fourth consecutive one and also a humanitarian project to raise funds to purchase medication for the Cancer Hospital, Maharagama for the treatment of children and teenagers afflicted with cancer to give them hope for a healthier tomorrow.  

Ikebana International which has over 10,000 members in more than 60 countries with 163 chapters around the world; was initially founded in 1956 by the late Ellen Gordon Allen as a non-profit, cultural organisation dedicated to promoting the art of Japanese flower arranging. Ikebana International Sri Lanka Chapter 262, advisor Christopher Lim from Singapore said in his message, the next dream and challenge is to host an Ikebana International, Asia Regional conference in Sri Lanka.

Unlike other types of flower arrangements, the art of Ikebana focuses on areas of the plant such as the stems and the leaves while the blooms are often minimal in number. The spiritual aspect of Ikebana is also a fundamental feature of the art. Here the flower arrangements at the very first exhibition held in Sri Lanka.