Press Release
In Search of Paradise- Kew's ninth orchid festival reveals daring tales of Victorian exploration
In association with Swan Hellenic Discovery Cruises
15 February to 16 March 2003
For release: 16 October 2002
Of all the plants which fired the imagination of Victoria society, perhaps
the most exciting and dramatic were the orchids. Alongside the allure
of the exotic, sensuous flowers were the daring tales of botanical expeditions
which went with them. These told of exquisite orchid discoveries in dangerous
locations, bravery and bravado in their acquisition, and of hidden earthly
paradises amid the lush mountains of the tropics.
In Search of Paradise, Kew’s ninth orchid festival is inspired
by the adventurous world of the Victorian plant hunters. The Princess
of Wales Conservatory becomes a steamy orchid paradise. Half a million
flowers embellish every space, hanging from trees, grouped around rock
pools, brilliant amid the tropical foliage. A new exhibition in White
Peaks, Kew’s contemporary exhibition space, brings to life the journeys
of the orchid hunters with facsimile paintings, illustrations and letters,
and links it to the story of orchid cultivation and conservation today.
Many of the original flowers collected in these expeditions are preserved
at Kew and form an incomparable resource for botanists and conservationists
all over the world.
Many of the letters are in Kew’s archives and reading them conveys
a vivid impression of the excitement and hazards of the orchid hunter’s
job. Wilhelm Micholitz found one much-prized dendrobium orchid growing
out of the eye sockets of a human skull. Frederick Lehmann, an orchid
collector in Colombia and Ecuador, was murdered by brigands while crossing
a river in the High Andes. Carl Roebelin’s cargo of 40,000 orchids
was destroyed by a fire on board ship in the Philippines.
In Search of Paradise is presented in association with Swan Hellenic Discovery
Cruises. Long renowned as leaders in high-quality cruises, Swan Hellenic
takes visitors in search of contemporary paradises, with a strong emphasis
on exploration and enjoyable learning. Kew’s orchid expert Dr. Phil
Cribb and Kew botanist, Martin Sands have accompanied over 15 cruises
since the 1970s, leading many expeditions to see orchids in the wild.
Botanists and historians are on hand throughout Swan Hellenic cruises
to share their knowledge about the plants and cultural significance of
the places visited.
Visitors to Kew’s orchid festival can enjoy their own taste of paradise.
Following the success of Kew’s evening openings in 2002, this year’s
festival features three Orchid Evenings, when the Princess of Wales Conservatory
transports visitors from cold winter evenings to velvety tropical nights
with glorious orchids in dramatically lit settings (see details below).
New for this year is the unique opportunity for visitors to the Orchid
evenings to dine afterwards in the stunning Orangery restaurant, usually
only open for daytime catering.
Today, 150 years later, new orchid discoveries continue to astound the
botanical and horticultural worlds, at the rate of around 200 a year.
Their beauty, variety and ingenuity are still unrivalled in the plant
world. Kew’s orchid botanists work in collaboration with scientists
from Malaysia, Madagascar and many other tropical countries to identify
and conserve new orchid species before they vanish completely from their
fragile, wild habitats.
Orchid evenings are held on Wednesday 19 and 26 February and 5 March,
from 6.30-9.00pm. Tickets must be booked in advance from Ticketmaster
on 0870 1600 539. The price is £15 and includes a glass of wine
and access to an exclusive shop selling a wide selection of orchids and
orchid-related gifts.
In Search of Paradise is generously supported by Singapore Botanic Gardens
and Singapore Airlines. Singapore Botanic Gardens supplies 15,000 fresh
orchid blooms for the festival, flown over especially by Singapore Airlines
to arrive in peak condition. Kew expert, Martin Sands, travels as resident
lecturer and botanist with Swan Hellenic Discovery Cruises to the Philippines,
Hong Kong and Singapore in January 2003.
Kew Gardens is open daily during the festival from 9.30am – 5.30pm.
For details about visiting Kew, phone 020 8332 5655 or check out Kew’s
website at www.kew.org. Entry is £6.50
for adults and £4.50 for concessions. Children of 16 and under are
admitted free. Please note that prices are subject to change from January
2003.
For further information and photographs, contact Hannah Rogers or Claire Hyde on 020 8332 5607/5619.
For further Press information please contact:
|
Kew: Public Relations Tel: +44 (0)20 8332 5607/5619 |
Wakehurst Place: Public Relations Tel: +44 (0)1444 894018 |
