On May 7, 2003 the opening of the XIV International Flower Arrangers Festival  "Long live, St. Petersburg!", dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the city on Neva banks, was held. This event is officially included to the celebration program of jubilee of the northern capital. The festival is one of the three presents of LOMO PLC, coming forward as organizers of the event, to the birthday of beloved city.

Firstly such event was conducted in St. Petersburg in 1991. Since then annually at the last month of spring the best floral designers of Russia and other countries of the world have represented the art of flower compositions on Neva banks. From the very beginning the St. Petersburg.s Administration and LOMO PLC have supported the festival.

  At this anniversary year the festival differs from previous ones by wider participation of foreign guests - more than 100 floral designers approximately from 15 countries, as Great Britain, the USA, France, Germany, Japan, Latvia, Estonia,  Russia and countries of CIS. Such countries as India, Australia and New Zealand were represented at the festival at the first time.

   The "pearl" of the event has become the exhibition of floral designers from Australia. Solemn ceremony of this exhibition was held on May 7 at the Gala hall of the Stage Theatre named after A. Raykin. Flower arrangers from this far continent come forward not only as simple participants of the event, but as official representatives of Melbourne - twin-city of St. Petersburg.

  It was the idea of Betty Melvill - the President of the International flower Council . to create such exhibition. It.s happened in 1998. Later this idea has developed to a more complicated project and the Australians have specially created the exposition as a present to St. Petersburg.

   Colors and shapes of compositions evoked by spaciousness of the Green continent, singed by sun. Primordial Australian plants were used for creation of modern design of exposition. Many of these flowers can live without water and ground for many months. Besides various exotic flowers, a wonderful fountain made in classical style and decorated with roses and lilies, and also one of three benches made specially as a present for St. Petersburg, adorned the exhibition. Other two benches have been already set at Monejnaya Square.

   After the opening of the exhibition there was a concert of the Australian and the Russian music in the performance of the Chamber orchestra of St. Petersburg conservatory. Also compositions of famous Australian composer Gorge Dreifus, specially worked up by him for this concert, were performed there. Gorge Dreifus is an honorary guest of the festival and he stood by himself at the conductor's stand during the performance of his compositions. At the second part of the concert the presentation of flower compositions made by the leading floral designer of Russia - Vlad Khuleshov was held.

  Next day (May 8) at of the Small Hall of the Philharmonic Society named after M.I. Glinka the opening ceremony of the second exhibition took place. This exhibition also was conducted in the framework of the XIV International Flower Arrangers Festival. The compositions of famous floral designers from more than 15 countries were represented there, the name of the exposition followed from this fact - "All flags are welcome!".

   Organizers are sure that the XIV International Flower Arrangers Festival "Long live, St. Petersburg!" will become one of the most bright events, conducted to the honour of the jubilee of the city on Neva banks and also a deserved gift to all citizens and guests of St. Petersburg.

   Exhibitions will be opened till May 12, but after their closing all people wishing to look at compositions can see photos of flower arrangements at Internet site of LOMO PLC.