WORKSHOP 3 // FLOWERS

The Carmelite Priory in Mdina hosted us last Saturday for our third workshop on Flowers. The morning was filled with some interesting activities which got everyone connecting with each other through Flowers. The morning gave us many opportunities to reflect on ourselves in terms of our values and personality.

We started the morning by looking for a flower that best describes you. What seemed like a simple task, wasn't. Taking our time to walk around the priory and as far out as the small garden infront of Mdina, we managed to all find one flower that captured something about us. Colour, smell, shape, size, thorns and other behavioural attributes were explored physically, emotionally and philosophically and we managed to reflect our different personalities, and character traits, through flowers. It was a surprise to some just how many flowers we could find around this time of the year, especially around urban environments.

We then went on to share a bit more about how flowers have been involved in our lives, we took the opportunity to highlight their importance in celebrations for their colourful beauty, and during a death for their symbol of peace. Some of us went further and shared some very personal stories that brought them closer to specific flowers.

At the end of the morning, we shared a special moment with each other in an exchanging ceremony. Each of us picked a flower and attached it to a quote, about flowers, which was then passed on to someone else as a gift. In receiving flowers, it brought us closer and allowed each person to feel appreciated, special and happy.

Among scientists it has been recognised that people are disconnecting from nature more and more these days. Through these activities carried out in the workshop, it highlighted that nature was an important part of our lives, and that there was an intrinsic value to flowers, and even herbs and spices, which people can appreciate, regardless of their cultural background. We have an intimate relationship with flowers, herbs and spices which connects us to nature, entirely.

Our next workshop will be facilitated by our artists who are going to teach us some new and untraditional art techniques. Looking forward to it!

Thanks to all those who participated for the contributions and making the whole morning a wonderful experience. Thanks to Simone Cutajar for the delicious food. And, thanks and credit also to Kasia Zmokla for the photographs!