There are a few of things which make Floriade such a beloved part of the Canberra calendar.
Commonwealth Park, Canberra spring weather, loads and loads of beautiful flowers.
The rest is, frankly, crap.
Armies of public servants trying to justify their worthless existences keep layering more crud onto proceedings and their efforts one day will sink the whole concept. But it is not yet that day.
The ever more execrable themes have reached a bit of a crescendo this year with “Films that shaped our nation”.
Star Wars?
No.
Australian made films. So they really themed it as “Films which we haven’t watched either, but we like to talk about at cocktail parties”. Are you inspired yet?
In some cases, such as Priscilla and The Dish the theming of the flower beds works really well (perhaps not coincidentally because they actually were widely watched and influential films).
In other cases shabby props have to give onlookers a cue, and they make the whole thing look a bit like a third rate roadside theme park.
But the daffodils are an endless joy. And the tulips that are out always impress. And it’s great fun for photographers.
If it’s a nice day, and you have nothing else to occupy you, then it remains a pleasant way to kill an hour.
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