Wa 2026 Opening Remarks
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the 2026 Wa Melbourne Ikebana Festival.
This festival grew out of a challenge that many of my students were facing. They had worked hard to master an art form they loved and had earned their teaching diplomas. Yet ikebana is still largely seen as a private hobby practised at home, which means there are relatively few professional opportunities for qualified teachers. And because ikebana is not yet widely known in Australia, it can also be difficult for them to attract new students.
We wanted to find a way to show the world what ikebana can be. Ikebana is, of course, a beautiful art form. But it is also a form of design, a source of creativity, a therapeutic practice, and a way of connecting with nature. We want people to see that ikebana belongs not only in our homes, but also in galleries, public spaces, healthcare settings and community life. And that is what led us to create this festival.
Why This Festival Matters
Although ikebana has been practised in Australia for more than 60 years, it is still not widely recognised by the broader community. Many organisations and individuals have done wonderful work over the years, presenting exhibitions and bringing distinguished ikebana masters from Japan to Australia. We are deeply grateful for their contribution. Our ambition is to take the next step: to reach a broader audience and to demonstrate that ikebana has an important place in contemporary Australian society.
There is another reason why we believe this is particularly important today. The world around us is changing. Climate change and environmental sustainability are among the defining challenges of our time. Ikebana offers us a different way of thinking about our relationship with the natural world. Rather than seeing nature simply as a resource to be used, ikebana reminds us that we are part of nature — and that our own wellbeing depends upon living in harmony with it.
Highlights of the 2026 Festival
This year, we are especially honoured to welcome ten ikebana therapists from Japan, including two international pioneers in the field, Dr Hamasaki and Professor Niikawa. Their presence highlights the growing recognition of ikebana as a practice that can support health, wellbeing and human connection.
The Wa Melbourne Ikebana Festival brings together exhibitions, workshops, demonstrations, performances and community events across several venues.
One of the highlights is a major ikebana installation accompanied by music performed by the internationally renowned mezzo-soprano Jessica Aszordi at the Melbourne Recital Centre.
We are also delighted to present the Ikebana Container Award, which invites local ceramic artists to create original containers especially for ikebana. We are incredibly fortunate to have the internationally acclaimed ceramic artist Hiroe Swen as our judge. These collaborations between ikebana, music, ceramics and the wider arts community are exactly what we hope this festival will encourage.
Why We Do It
People sometimes ask us why we go to all the trouble of organising a festival like this. And, to be honest, there have been times when we have asked ourselves the same question!
But the answer is simple. We want to share the joy and value of ikebana. Ikebana helps us connect — with one another, with ourselves, and with nature. It gives us moments of quiet reflection in an increasingly busy world. And it reminds us that beauty, balance and care are not luxuries; they are essential to our wellbeing and to the way we relate to the natural world.
We hope that everyone who joins us during this festival will leave with more than just an appreciation of beautiful flower arrangements. We hope you will leave with a renewed sense of connection — to one another, to yourself, and to the natural world around us.
Thank You
Before we finish, there are a number of people I would like to thank.
Firstly, thank you to Yarra City Cr Evangeline Aston for joining us today and for supporting this festival.
Thank you to Dr Hamasaki, Professor Niikawa and the entire team from the Japan Society of Ikebana Therapy for travelling so far to be with us and for sharing your knowledge and experience.
Thank you to Yukako Braun, Leader of Ikenobo Melbourne, and to all of the ikebana and ceramic artists who have generously shared their creativity and beautiful works with us.
A special thank you to everyone who has travelled from other parts of Australia, and from Europe, Asia and other countries, to be part of this festival. Your presence makes this event truly international.
And finally, my most sincere thanks to our fantastic team of volunteers — and especially to the amazing Shoan Lo. Without your dedication, energy and hard work, this festival simply would not be possible. Thank you all for being here, and I hope you enjoy the 2026 Wa Melbourne Ikebana Festival. Thank you.
Melbourne Ikebana Festival
CEO
