EuroSkills 2008 Floristry Team Competition
Final Awarding EuroSkills 2008 Floristry Team Competition
After four days of hard work the participants, their family, fans and all others involved got to know the results of the more than 50 skills competitions with over 400 competitors at the Awarding Ceremony of EuroSkills 2008 in Rotterdam. A crowd of some 1000 spectators watched the show, presented by the actors of Boom Chicago, during which the results were made known. Seeing the total number of competitions the whole show took quite some time, but the competitors in the floristry competition didn’t need to be in suspense that long: this competition was the very first that was announced. And for those who witnessed the competition carefully the results were not too surprising: the Gold medals went to Elin Karlsson and Madeléne Nilsson from Sweden. The Silver Medal to Julia Bürkle and Stefanie Koch from Germany. Two teams ended equally on the third place, thus the Bronze Medals were given to Berit Marie Wiig and Siren Næss from Norway and Michelle Hilger and Eva Latsch from Luxembourg.
Seeing the fact that the floristry competition at EuroSkills was based on a completely new concept it had been a real challenge for both the competitors as others involved, like the jury. Unlike the regular competitions, where the pieces of work are the subject of the judging procedure, here the total process was assessed. Thus also elements like planning, co-operation, preparations, presentation and such were taken into account. And the assignments were not just pieces of floral work, but also the design and furnishing / decoration of a flower shop and a demonstration for the public. The participants mastered this challenge very well and all of them did a great job. Beautifully designed, but also practical shops were presented, in which the participants had to work and make the other assignments. An autumn arrangement, an arrangement with glass and a hand tied bouquet were the smaller pieces, that got a place in the “shop”. The big stage decorations indeed got a place on the stage while the awarding ceremony took place and can be seen on very many pictures and video’s. And the “flower girls”, a free style decoration on a live model, not only paraded through the fairgrounds but also had an appearance on a nearby stage, where they were commented by well known floral designer Geert Maas and filmed by camera’s in all details and shown on a vey big screen to a numerous audience.
Looking back we may conclude that this competition was indeed experimental, but no doubt worthwhile. It was very interesting for the public to watch, the works made were of high level and the outcome as to new experience and knowhow with respect to the organization of competitions was quite extensive. Experience and knowhow that also is very useful for other competitions like Eurofleurs and Europa Cup.
Pictures of the EuroSkills floristry competition 2008 can be seen by clicking this linkPictures of the EuroSkills flower girls can be seen by clicking this link
