The eighth edition of the “Bouquet Festival di Sanremo”, the floral art competition, took place today at Villa Ormond in Sanremo. The event was organised by AMAIE Energia – Mercato dei Fiori di Sanremo, in collaboration with the Municipality of Sanremo, with technical direction by floral designers Sabina di Mattia and Jessica Tua.
Theme and competition format of the 2024 edition
The theme of this year’s edition was “Sanremo, the flower of Liguria”. Professionals from across Italy took part in two timed challenges, each lasting 30 minutes: a formal bouquet inspired by the “melody of the sea” and a second bouquet inspired by the “song of the forest”.
Seasonal flowers from the Western Ligurian floriculture district
All flowers and foliage were supplied by the Mercato dei Fiori di Sanremo and consisted exclusively of seasonal products from the Western Ligurian floriculture district.
Participants selected for the competition
A total of 12 floral designers were selected to compete:
- Altoè Anny (Santa Lucia di Piave, TV),
- Morsilli Ivana (Castelliri, FR),
- Pesino Maria Vittoria (Venafro, IS),
- Stefano Antonio (Casarano, LE),
- Castaldi Tommaso (Lacco Ameno, NA),
- Garofalo Mario (Torremaggiore, FG),
- Mannino Salvatore (Carini, PA),
- Zoccola Matteo (Castelfocognano, AR),
- Valzano Luigi Matteo (Trepuzzi, LE),
- Cenci Natascia (Fontevivo, PR),
- Angalò Roberta (Palmi, RC),
- Laezza Pietro (Acerra, NA).
Flowers used for the “melody of the sea” bouquet
“Melody of the sea” bouquet: lilac anemones, white ranunculus, cream ranunculus, blue full star anemones, Milka statice, ageratum, white stock, silver eucalyptus berries, mimosa baleyana, mimosa Denis Boden, cinerea.
Flowers used for the “song of the forest” bouquet
“Song of the forest” bouquet: purple ranunculus, orange harlequin ranunculus, red anemones, white and red full star anemones, brick-coloured statice, red cinesini, burgundy cinesini, orange snapdragons, poppies, brick-orange carnations, short autumn stuartiana, short ruscus, mimosa Claire de Lune.
Technical and honorary juries of the competition
The Technical Jury was composed of floral art masters Rita Milani, Rudy Casati and Marco Introini, all trained at the Accademia Sanremo Italian Style and now recognised as leading figures in the sector. Evaluation criteria included overall concept, use of colour, composition and technical execution.
The Honorary Jury included Andrea Gorlero, President of AMAIE Energia, Sara Tonegutti, Councillor for Floriculture of the Municipality of Sanremo, Giuseppe Faraldi, Councillor for Tourism, Silvana Sicari of the E.D.F.A. Sanremo association, and Enrico Barla, President of Floranga.
Special prize for originality and interpretation
The jury awarded a special prize for “originality and interpretation” to Ivana Morsilli, who received a commemorative plaque.
Winners of the eighth edition of the Bouquet Festival di Sanremo
Winners of the eighth edition (2024):
- First place: Mario Garofalo, Torremaggiore (FG)
- Second place: Roberta Angalò, Palmi (RC)
- Third place: Ivana Morsilli, Castelliri (FR)
Awards and recognition for the overall winner
The overall winner, Mario Garofalo, will join the team led by floral designers Sabina di Mattia and Jessica Tua to create the bouquets presented to singers and guests during the live broadcasts of the Sanremo Festival 2024. In addition, the Municipality of Sanremo will offer him a weekend for two in the City of Flowers.
Statement by Andrea Gorlero, President of AMAIE Energia
Andrea Gorlero, President of AMAIE Energia, stated:
“This edition brought together competitors from all over Italy, with an average age under 40. The competition is the first official side event linked to the Sanremo Festival. Flowers have long been central to the festival, and this contest offers an additional showcase for local production. Floriculture is a key sector of the Western Ligurian economy, and the traditional delivery of bouquets on the Ariston stage highlights the value of our flowers and ornamental greenery, a niche but high-quality production. My congratulations to the winner, whose work will become an integral part of the Sanremo Festival.”
Statement by Sara Tonegutti, Councillor for Floriculture
Sara Tonegutti, Councillor for Floriculture of the Municipality of Sanremo, added:
“Floriculture is the second most important sector of the economy in the Province of Imperia. The Sanremo Festival and flowers are inseparable. The festival was created in 1951 from an idea by floriculturist Amilcare Rambaldi to stimulate the city’s economy. After 74 years, flowers remain a symbol of Sanremo and enjoy an exceptional showcase through the festival. Bouquets are protagonists on the Ariston stage: over the past nine years, 629 bouquets have been presented by Amadeus, who was recently awarded the title of Friend of Sanremo.”
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