Although London’s festival season is a while off, Kew Gardens has stepped in early with a festival of their own. Prettier than All Points East, more fragrant than Field Day, Kew’s annual Orchid Festival is currently bringing even more colour to an already colourful slice of London, as it’s at Kew Gardens right now, running until March 6, 2022.
As in previous years, the 2022 Orchid Festival takes inspiration from overseas. Previous displays paid homage to countries including Brazil, India, Thailand, Colombia, and Indonesia. This year, Costa Rica gets the Kew Gardens treatment — which is rather apt, given that it’s one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth, home to 6% of the world’s flora and fauna species. The eye-catching plants will fill every corner of the Princess of Wales Conservatory.
The Costa Rican theme includes “vibrant installations of monkeys, sea turtles and the native quetzal bird — a symbol of Costa Rican forest protection”. Plus, visitors will be treated to the work of Costa Rican artist Dino Urpí, whose Ethereal Nature installations which “explore the balance, beauty and harmony of the natural world and ‘bountifulness of our planet'”.
And to add to the atmosphere, We Are Costa Rica in the UK will present traditional Costa Rican folk dances outside the Princess of Wales Conservatory. Catch the performances at 11am and 1pm each Saturday throughout the festival’s run.
The Orchid Festival is set to be a delight for the senses whenever you head along – and remember, what’s good for the ‘gram is good for the soul!
The Orchid Festival runs March 6, 2022. Kew Gardens can be found in Richmond, TW9 3AB, and the nearest station is Kew Gardens. Tickets are available here.
Also published on Medium.