Collesalvetti (Livorno), 1st -2nd June 2013

... without forgetting the Suiseki ! In the hinterland of Livorno, among soft hills covered with vineyards, the farm "Costa Nugola" by Marchesi de 'Frescobaldi hosted in its estate the contest-exhibition "Bonsai Horizon" organized by the club "Bonsai Art " in Pisa. The wide open spaces allowed to set up an exhibition area of about 600 square metres and consequently to host 31 bonsai and 27 suiseki in the contest and 12 bonsai of  the present schools and 7 suiseki of host club members and  judges out contest. An impressive number, however, optimally managed by a perfect organization: compulsory early enrolment, an exhibition space large enough for everybody, a friendly but accurate welcome, that accompanied each exhibitor to the pre-assigned space. Outside in a covered area a nice market and the restaurant area were hosted where we had meals and drinks ...gorgeously. There were bonsai demonstrations,  but also ikebana and shodo, a lecture by Mrs. Silvia Orsi about accent plants and the comment on the exhibited suiseki by Mrs. Luciana Queirolo.

Actually a successful event which was prepared in the smallest details and which took place along a well-tested track: competition, market, gala dinner, didactics, synergy with other oriental arts, accomodation. The only anomaly compared to all the other Italian exhibitions consists of awards: the organizers found  appropriate the offer of cash prizes, in order to increase both the number of participants and the quality of the specimens on display. The subject is delicate. To guarantee transparency and fairness the organizers gave the difficult task of rewarding both for the bonsai and the suiseki to a "Quality Jury" composed of several national experts in the respective field. For the suiseki we were judged by Mrs. Luciana Queirolo, Mrs. Maria Teresa Volonterio and Mr. Fabrizio Buccini. In addition to the first three prizes (amounting to 600, 300 and 200 Euro), for  suiseki an additional prize in money reserved for pattern stones and biseki, amounting to 150 Euro was available.

There were numerous sponsorships and awards: AIAS and IBS representatives assigned their awards: Mrs. Luciana Queirolo, as an IBS instructor awarded the IBS plaque, while Mr. Marino Nikpal, as AIAS vice president awarded the AIAS plaque.

Here are now the photos,thanking all the members of the organizing club who always  worked with a smile for the event.

The suiseki on display

First Prize Mr. Igor Carino Taki-ishi Japan

Second Prize Mr. Sergio Bassi "The daybreak reveals hidden lanes" Liguria

Third Prize Mr. Attilio Valdifiori Toyama-ishi Liguria

Prize for pattern stones / biseki Mrs. Cinzia Batignani "Albino" Tuscany

I.B.S. Plaque Mr. Marco Bocci Liguria

A.I.A.S. Plaque Prize by Estate Vineyards Nugola  - Marchesi de 'Frescobaldi Mr. Giuseppe De Vita "Mother Teresa of Calcutta" Tuscany

Mr. Sergio Bassi "The day after"

Mrs. Cinzia Batignani "Spell" Tuscany

Mr. Armando Carlesi "Mother tenderness"

Mr. Giuseppe De Vita Tuscany

Mr. Carlo Maria Galli "First snow" Tuscany

Mr. Carlo Maria Galli "In search of peace" Tuscany

Mr. Ettore Gardini "Mt. Fuji"

Mr. Ettore Gardini "The time... sun,  water and wind" Liguria

Mr. Paolo Nicoli Without name

Mr. Marino Nikpal "Remembering Egypt"

Prize by Collesalvetti  Municipality Mr. Claudio Nuti "Full moon on Kawako mountain "

Mr. Claudio Nuti "The mountain of the quiet"

Mr. Fausto Porcelli "Meteor"

Mr. Giorgio Rosati "Enigma"

Mr. Giorgio Rosati "Taklamakan"

Mr. Paolo Rossi "The cave of the fairies"

Mrs. Daniela Schifano "The dwelling of the White Tiger" Toyama-ishi - Setagawaishi - Japan

Mrs. Daniela Schifano "Gazing at Lushan Waterfall" Taki-ishi - Liguria

Mr. Attilio Valdifiori "Timeless"

Mr. Carlo Vanni "Great is Nature in the great things, Even greater in the smallest ones"

Mr. Carlo Vanni "Erosion"

The suiseki of the judges

Mr. Fabrizio Buccini Tuscany

Mrs. Luciana Queirolo (Representing AIAS Club) "The fortress of the dragon" Liguria