The biggest floral event ever held in Boston will open this week when the World Association of Flower Arrangers (WAFA) holds its 10th International Flower Show at the Seaport World Trade Center.
This is the first time the 230,000-member group has held the show in the United States. The show will feature 630 entries and displays by floral artists from 30 countries.
A delegation of 40 floral artists from Pakistan led by Shahimah Sayed left for the United States on Sunday to participate in the event which will take place from June 15-19.
The show is usually held every three years, but the 2008 show, scheduled for Pakistan, was canceled in the wake of the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. The previous WAFA show was held in Japan six years ago.
The talent lineup is stellar and includes work by Gregor Lersch of Germany, one of the most influential floral designers in the world.
Lersch will be one of five master designers who will create immense flower arrangements involving 20-foot rods and props descending from the ceiling at the final event, “European Fusion in Flowers,” at the Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre on June 19. In addition to the Trade Center displays, several other WAFA events around the city will spotlight the top designers.
