The 10th edition of the national floral art competition “Bouquet Festival di Sanremo 2026” concluded on Monday, 19 January 2026, at the Civic Museum of Sanremo.
The event was promoted by the Mercato dei fiori di Sanremo in collaboration with the Municipal Administration of Sanremo. Technical direction was curated by floral designer Jessica Tua.
Fifteen floral designers from across Italy
The 2026 edition brought together 15 floral designers from all over Italy, competing in two separate challenges. Their creations interpreted this year’s theme, “Liguria’s Beauty”, through shapes, colours and compositions inspired by the landscape, nature and cultural identity of Liguria.
The competitors in the 2026 edition were: Catia Anelli from Fabriano (AN), Roberta Angalò from Taurena di Palmi (RC), Lorenzo Bicelli Toller from Volano (TN), Elena Canacci from Livorno (LI), Emanuela Crucitti from Reggio Calabria (RC), Daniele Fontanazza from Milan (MI), Sara Guglieri from Ferriere (PC), Santo Orazio Lavore from Viguzzolo (AL), Fernanda Lo Vetere from Gambassi Terme (FI), Salvatore Mannino from Carini (PA), Francesco Martone from Bari (BA), Nicola Moi from Matelica (MC), Giorgia Mozzarelli from Curtatone (MN), Gregori Pinto from Putignano (BA), and Giada Rota from Pofi (FR).
Floricultural excellence from Western Liguria
The Mercato dei fiori di Sanremo supplied all the floral materials used in the compositions. Drawing on local excellence, the compositions highlighted some of the main products of Western Liguria, including mimosa (Chiaro di Luna and Gaulois varieties), strelitzia, anemone, eucalyptus, ruscus, asparagus myriocladus, photinia, ranunculus (Moderna, Clone and Pon Pon varieties), broom, Chinese carnation, Mediterranean carnation and Green Tricks carnation.
The technical jury
Inspired by the beauty of nature and Ligurian art, the submitted works were assessed by a technical jury composed of internationally renowned floral designers Nicola Puricelli and Rita Milani.
Born in Somma Lombardo in 1970, Nicola Puricelli opened his flower shop Il Papavero in Mornago (VA) after completing his studies. He has taken part in numerous floral art competitions, earning major national and international awards. Since 2004, he has curated floral installations linked to the Sanremo Music Festival. In 2022, he won the Coppa Italia and will represent Italy at the European Championships in Spain in 2027.
Rita Milani, based in the province of Varese, has run her own flower shop for 37 years. She is the winner of the 2nd Bouquet Sanremo and holds the title of European Florist. She has expanded her professional training through courses and seminars with leading European floral art masters. For many years, she has collaborated with the Mercato dei fiori di Sanremo to promote Ligurian flowers and has served as a jury member of the Bouquet Festival di Sanremo.
The honorary jury
Alongside the technical jury, an honorary jury evaluated the bouquets, focusing on the ability to enhance local excellence and the originality of the interpretation of the theme.
The jury was composed of Sergio Tommasini, President of Amaie Energia; Alessandro Sindoni, Councillor for Tourism of the Municipality of Sanremo; Enza Dedali, Councillor for Culture of the Municipality of Sanremo; Ester Moscato, Councillor for Floriculture; Maria Silvana Sicari, President of La Filantea Garden Club; Enrico Barla, Board Member of La Filantea Garden Club; Barbara Biale, Director of Confartigianato Sanremo; Carla Vacchino, owner of the Ariston Theatre of Sanremo and member of the floral art schools I.I.D.F.A. and E.D.F.A.; and Manuela Brea, owner of the homonymous flower hybridisation company.
Awards ceremony
Subsequently, the awards ceremony took place. On this occasion, members of the jury also attended the event. Among those present were the Mayor of Sanremo, Alessandro Mager, the Deputy Mayor Fulvio Fellegara, and Councillor Silvana Ormea. Representing the Liguria Region, the Regional Councillor for Tourism Luca Lombardi and Regional Councillor Armando Biasi took part. In addition, for Amaie Energia e Servizi, Board members Tiziana Ramoino, Lilliana Di Falco and Mauro Albanese were also present.
Final ranking
The final ranking of the overall winner of the 10th edition of the Bouquet Festival di Sanremo 2026 is as follows:
- Giorgia Mozzarelli
- Elena Canacci
- Lorenzo Bicelli Toller
The Honorary Jury Award for originality of interpretation and enhancement of local products was awarded to Giorgia Mozzarelli.
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