On the 27th of October, 2012 the first in Ukraine VIP-professional seminar in the field of landscape art was organized and conducted by the "International Union of landscape creators." The topic of the seminar: "The history of classical and modern garden art: from France to Ukraine" the speakers of a seminar were real masters of a French elegant gardening and garden art: The Princess Marie-Sol de La Tour d'Auvergne and the Countess Alix de Saint Venant.

The seminar was made up as informational and practical event for the specialists who work in the field of landscape design and architecture but it grew out in social project, educational event and high-profile event, which contributed to strengthening of field-oriented and cultural relations between Ukraine and France.

 In relation to this both the format of the event and its venue were carefully thought out before the event took place.  A seminar was held in the hotel "Ukraine" - one of the symbols of the city of Kiev. The spirit of high landscape art, creativity and creation, real spiritual atmosphere of European culture was successfully created by the organizers and guests of the seminar.  Stylish coffee breaks, organic Ukrainian wines and exclusive Carpathian cheeses, gourmet fruit and desserts became a great addition to the program of the seminar.

 We are very glad that 82 participants got a possibility to attend our event.  This seminar is one of the biggest among the landscape design seminars which took place in Ukraine. It was attended by Ukrainian landscape designers and architects from Kiev, Dnepropetrovsk, Kremenchug, Zaporozhye, Lvov, Kharkov, Poltava and other cities, journalists, students and teachers of several specialized universities and colleges. The seminar was attended by the staff of the National Botanic Garden named after academician Grishko and representatives of the cultural-historical conservation area "Kachanovka.

The special guests on the seminar were representative of economical mission in Ukraine «Ubifranсe» Alexander Sidorenko and adviser to the Minister of Culture - Oksana Melnychuk.

Many things on this seminar we were to realize for the first time: the reporters of our seminar came to Ukraine, a new VIP-format of Ukrainian landscape seminars was used; a unique opportunity of projects' reviewing by the French experts with its further discussion; the interest and the presence of the television ("Eco-TV") and a large number of young people at the seminar.

 One of our goals was not only to show a high level of French landscape art, but also the professional level of Ukrainian landscape mastery and also the options of Ukrainian vine-growing and cheese-making - as an example of Ukrainian production, which sometimes have the quality which is not worse than French, due to the ecologically pure components and observation of ancient traditions and technologies of production. We could assure of its quality by way of specially organized on seminars' degustation.                       

The report of the Princess Marie-Sol de La Tour d'Auvergne was devoted to the author's approach, the issue of which was the restoration and the reconstruction of historical parks by the example of Ainay-le-vieil gardens which are situated on the territory of the castle, the owner of which she is. We had seen an example of a pure classical garden art, professionalism and enthusiasm. An outstanding rose garden, which collects the heirloom variety of roses, a formed orchard, lovely enfilade and green chartreuse, where each room has its own theme, inspires a deep respect.  Continuation of centuries-old traditions of the family, the castle and the gardens, the preservation of cultural heritage for the whole World and education through the gardening art -  these are the noble goals established and afterwards reached by the Princess Marie-Sol de La Tour d'Auvergne.

The Countess Alix de Saint Venant in her report described the current trends in organic and environmentally ornamental horticulture. The Countess manages the gardens of the Valmer Castle where a decoratory vegetable garden in the classical French style was made by her own efforts. And it's not just a vegetable garden! This museum-garden contains a unique collection of many species of edible plants, including rare heirloom variety of European vegetables. The Countess also put a lot of efforts to restore the entire Valmer Castle Gardens on an area of ​​over 70 hectares. The Gardens of Countess Alix de Saint Venant are visited by thousands of people who want not only to have a look at a sample of a wonderful landscape art - in the gardens of the Countess educational programs, oriented on promotion of organic farming , healthy nutrition and accurate attitude to Nature are realized. Once again let's focus our attention on the fact that it was the first visit of the Princess Marie-Sol de La Tour d'Auvergne and the Countess Alix de Saint Venant to Ukraine. The Board of the "International Union of landscape creators" made all the possible efforts to show our noble guests a high level of cultural, spiritual and, of course, landscape and architectural heritage of our country. We are very pleased that the Princess and the Countess, being real specialists in their affair, were delighted with the collections of plants of the Ukrainian National Botanic Garden, the availability of a high-level formed orchard in Kiev, the perfection of landscape and architectural planning over the whole territory of the botanical garden. We also have a lot of to be proud of! The masterpieces of sacred and national architecture of Ukraine, unique collections of plants and melodic folk songs, the hospitable Ukrainian cuisine that made a lasting impression on our French guests - all these things of which we can be proud. A special respect from our French colleagues (with a little critics from their side) were given to the Ukrainian landscape designers, who could solve a complex architectural and planning tasks, carrying out costumers' wishes at the time. 

The successful holding of the seminar is the first step towards the development and strengthening of international creative relations, made by our organization. The high-priority tasks of a public organization the "International Union of landscape creators " are the consolidation of specialists' efforts from different countries, a creation of special conditions for sharing experiences, a development of landscape art and improvement of the environment. A seminar which already took place demonstrated the possibility of a productive and mutually beneficial cooperation between the landscape architects, designers and community leaders from different countries at the highest level.

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