Since 2017, The Festival of Flowers has brightened the streets, houses and shops of Antigua Guatemala. The rains have finally ended, and thousands of visitors from throughout Guatemala and beyond flock to Antigua to be amazed by the intricate flower arrangements that transforms the city into a land of colour. Each year, the festival has grown from just a weekend to almost a month, with events, exhibitions and in 2023 even a fashion show.
The founder Andrea Contreras took some time off from organising this year’s event to explain to Qué Pasa readers the story of the Festival of Flowers.
“The story of flowers was born a long time ago in my heart. I have always been a nature lover since childhood, and my inspiration was my maternal grandmother, who instilled in me a love for this city and at the same time talked to me about its flowers, gardens, and courtyards.
She used to tell me that this city, romantically known as the “city of perpetual roses,” used to be dominated by roses in its old gardens. There was a famous large white rose called Rosa Reyna. You could find countless varieties of small roses known as tea roses. Over time, the types of flowers changed, and the tradition of having rose gardens at home gradually faded, although some old Antigua families still maintain these beautiful gardens.
This city fills me with inspiration and pride. It has been a muse for great poets like Oscar Wyld Ospina, who wrote a poem about one of his great loves, Antigua Guatemala (the City of Perpetual Roses). It has also served as an inspiration for fantastic worlds, such as The Little Prince and his perfect Asteroid B612, where Antoine Saint-Exupéry is believed to have found inspiration for this beautiful asteroid. This book is one of my favorites, and I recommend it for all ages as it always has a beautiful life message to offer.
I’ve always had a fascination with flowers. Since I was a child, I would plant flowers, nurture them, and imagine what it would be like to fill my home with them. I remember one time accompanying my mom to the market and buying sunflower seeds. I planted them at my grandmother’s house, creating a spectacle for the whole family.
In 2015, I embarked on a trip to Brazil, which marked the beginning of a personal awakening and a new perspective on the impressive flora our country possesses. I recall seeing a bougainvillaea bush, and my friends told me, “spring,” because when it blooms, it marks the beginning of spring in Brazil. I smiled and thought, “In my city it’s always in bloom.” How beautiful to know that we truly are the Land of Eternal Spring.
Upon my return, I was met with the death of one of my life mentors, my grandpa Mario. It was a moment of pause for my ideas and the goals I carried in my life’s suitcase. In 2016, that little seed began to stir in me, urging me to take up projects again. I started to outline the project for the Festival of Flowers. The first person I shared it with was my friend Jorge Luis Ovalle, and he said, “Do it; I’ll support you.” I asked, “How?” The project gained strength with each passing day. I began to envision the city teeming with flowers and sought support from various associations and individuals who might be interested in the project. And so, the first Festival of Flowers was born, with just five people and the support of my sister and parents to make it happen.
We chose the month of November because it’s the perfect time for flowers, with spectacular sunsets and a celebration nestled between rest and year-end festivities.
The journey hasn’t been easy. I remember standing in the middle of Arco Street during the first year, wondering when I would fill it with flowers. It was a pleasant surprise how a single flower brought this beautiful city together.
During that first year, people began placing flower vases outside their homes, joining in the spirit of the festival.
I believe a festival should have music, a little market, and a lot of floral culture. And so, our emblematic “Flower Market” was born, starting with 15 nature-inspired entrepreneurs and now housing over 50.
The Festival of Flowers is a tribute to our Eternal Spring, to our people. I’ve always said that the essence of the Festival of Flowers isn’t just the flowers; it’s the people who bring colour and flavor to this festival.
Starting from the third year of the festival, we began to host themed festivals, beginning with The Little Prince in 2019, which greatly contributed to the festival’s growth. Even though we faced a pandemic the following year, we didn’t lose our desire to bring a bit of magic to people through virtual means.
We conducted free virtual workshops, mini-concerts, and small exhibitions. I also learned that the guild of chefs and restaurants was going through a tough time, unable to open to the public. This inspired me to create the “Cooking with Flowers Contest,” motivating chefs and cooks to create spectacular dishes and drinks with edible flowers.
We broadcasted this contest virtually, and it was a success. This year, we celebrated the 4th edition of Cooking with Flowers, featuring over 60 culinary artists in a unique floral gastronomic event.
The Festival of Flowers has become one of the most important cultural platforms in the region and one of the largest in the country. Over these seven years, we’ve had more than 2,500 artists and 30 free workshops, revitalizing not only Antigua’s economy but also the entire country and foreign tourism.
In 2022, we welcomed 16,860 visitors from El Salvador, Honduras, and Costa Rica, among other countries like Mexico, the United States, and France – according to Inguat’s records. This festival generated more than 8,000 temporary jobs for the hotel industry during that weekend.
Year after year, this festival has a significant economic impact in various sectors of the country. I’m proud of the group of entrepreneurs that make up the Festival of Flowers, lovers of our culture and our Eternal Spring, who year after year bring smiles to many families.
Important Facts:
On November 8, 2019, with the effort of the Festival of Flowers Committee, we succeeded in declaring “Flower Month in Antigua Guatemala” and its celebration on the third weekend of November with an official decree in the official newspaper.
Starting from its third year, the Festival of Flowers celebrates specific themes: 2019 – The Little Prince 2020 – Us (humanity) 2021 – Pollinators 2022 – City of Perpetual Roses 2023 – Guatemala, the Land of Eternal Spring.”
2024 promises to be the longest and largest Festival of Flowers that Antigua has witnessed. There will even be a fashion show! I have to say that after Semana Santa (Holy Week), the Festival of Flowers has become the second most populous event in the Antigua calendar! Congratulations Andrea for the story of the Festival of Flowers and for making Antigua bloom!
