The Orihuela City Council, through its Department of Environment led by Noelia Grao, is once again collaborating with the Bonsái Oriol Club to host the ninth bonsai exhibition, which will occur on 24 and 25 October at the Auditorio de La Lonja. The exhibition will showcase around 50 bonsai specimens presented in various compositions, alongside a wide representation of trees from club members at different stages of training.
This event will provide the public with an opportunity to learn about the work, techniques, and dedication involved in cultivating these miniature trees, as well as to discover the variety of styles and forms that characterise this art.
Noelia Grao, the Councillor for the Environment, emphasised the importance of supporting initiatives that bring nature closer to citizens and promote knowledge and respect for the environment. “This exhibition is a chance to appreciate the effort behind each bonsai, an art that requires patience, dedication, and a deep understanding of trees. The City Council aims to continue supporting associations like the Bonsái Oriol Club, which has been sharing its knowledge and fostering this hobby among local residents for many years,” she stated.
The Bonsái Oriol Club began its journey in 2001 and was officially established in 2005, the same year it organised the first bonsai exhibition in Orihuela. Since then, the club has engaged in extensive educational and promotional activities, holding numerous exhibitions in various venues across the municipality, including Ociopía and the Casa Museo Miguel Hernández.
Among its notable activities is the organisation of the Provincial Bonsai Congress in 2007, which saw significant participation and was recognised by representatives of the Spanish Bonsai Association for the quality of the exhibited specimens and the event's organisation. Additionally, in 2024, the club hosted the nineteenth bonsai show of the Valencian Community, which attracted over 60 exhibitors from across the region and featured high-quality specimens, some of which have won awards at international competitions.
In addition to its regular participation in provincial and regional exhibitions, the association conducts significant educational work throughout the year via its Bonsai Workshop School, offering weekly sessions dedicated to teaching various cultivation, training, and maintenance techniques for trees. Grao praised “the trajectory and commitment of an association that has worked for over two decades to keep this hobby alive in Orihuela and to pass on its knowledge to new generations.”
The councillor also highlighted that “collaboration with the associative fabric is crucial for promoting activities that enrich the cultural and environmental life of our municipality.”
The ninth bonsai exhibition 'Ciudad de Orihuela' will be open to visitors on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October at the Auditorio de La Lonja, located on Calle Aragón, from 10:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 20:00.
