Brand new festival launches at Kew, celebrating the beauty of spring flowers through music. Get ready to be enchanted by the sights, sounds, and scents of the season, as Kew Gardens unveils its latest extravaganza: Sounds of Blossom: Awaken your senses. From Friday 23 March to Sunday 14 April 2024, visitors can immerse themselves in a multisensory experience amidst the breathtaking backdrop of London’s iconic living landscapes.
Partnering with the esteemed Royal College of Music, this groundbreaking festival promises to blend the harmony of nature with the power of music. Prepare to have your senses awakened as you walk through the UNESCO World Heritage Site, surrounded by vibrant blossoms and captivating melodies.
Working alongside students from the Royal College of Music, Kew Gardens has commissioned six bespoke compositions that pay homage to the unique landscape of the season. These enchanting soundscapes will subtly emerge from specially selected locations throughout the gardens, such as avenues of cherry blossom and vistas adorned with magnolias. As you meander through these artistic harmonies, you’ll find yourself transported to a world where nature and music intertwine.
But that’s not all! Each weekend, visitors will have the pleasure of witnessing live musical performances by talented students. From classical favorites to toe-tapping jazz melodies, their repertoire is sure to delight and inspire.
Of course, the horticultural wonders of Kew Gardens are not to be missed. As the trees burst into flower and bulbs paint the grounds with splashes of color, the Gardens truly come alive. Take a leisurely stroll along Cherry Walk and Asano Avenue, where the festival’s soundscapes create an ethereal atmosphere. Wander beneath clouds of soft-pink cherry blossom and discover hidden gems like naturalized tulips, which add an extra touch of magic to the landscape. The Japanese Landscape, another featured location, offers a serene space for quiet reflection. With its Gardens of Peace, Activity, and Harmony, this area perfectly embodies the essence of Japanese gardens. From neatly clipped hedges of Rhododendron ‘Mother’s Day’ to the delicate Japanese anemone (Anemone x hybrida), springtime highlights abound.
But the festival doesn’t stop there. Kew’s catering outlets will tantalize your taste buds with blossom-inspired dishes, while free talks by horticulturists and scientists will educate and inspire. Learn about important topics like pollination and how to preserve blossom-producing trees for future generations. And for those seeking wellness and rejuvenation, indulge in the festival’s program of wellbeing events, including Tai Chi and forest bathing, designed to uplift your spirits.
Paul Denton, Head of Visitor Programmes and Exhibitions at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, expresses his excitement, saying, “Kew has always been a haven in the springtime, and this new festival is an invitation to immerse yourself in the beauty of the season. Whether you’re strolling along Cherry Walk or exploring the Japanese Landscape, areas of Kew Gardens will come alive with the colors and scents of spring, accompanied by bespoke melodies from the Royal College of Music. We hope visitors will join us in this celebration of nature and music, and leave feeling inspired and energized.”
Remember, Kew Gardens relies on the support of its visitors to sustain its vital work in conserving global plant and fungal biodiversity. By attending this extraordinary festival, not only will you be treating yourself to a sensory extravaganza, but you’ll also be contributing to a brighter future for our planet and all life on Earth.
See it all from Saturday 23 March – Sunday 14 April 2024