Geneva #143 Switzerland

November 29, 2024
Visit to the Herbaria and Library of the Botanical Garden of Geneva
On November 29, 2024, fifteen members of Geneva Chapter took part in two successive guided tours in the Botanical Garden of Geneva. With nearly six million specimen, The Herbaria of the Conservatoire et Jardin botanique de la Ville de Genève (CJB) rank among the most important botanical collections in the world, inherited from a botanical tradition that dates back to the 18th century. It includes plant and fungal specimen from across the world, with special emphasis on the Mediterranean region, Near- and Middle-East, South America and Europe.
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“Mr. A, the responsible curator, introduced us to unique plants in the botanic garden.”
Dr. Fred Stauffer, the responsible curator, introduced us to a number of plates with unique original dried plants, in particular by famous botanists such as Alexander von Humboldt (1769 – 1859) and Augustin P. de Candolle (1778 – 1841). Some of these plants have now disappeared in the decline in biodiversity!
Mr. Pierre Boillat, Head of the Library, presented us with an impressive series of botanical books: from the earliest, an illustrated German incunabulum dating from 1485, to the encyclopedic works published in Geneva by de Candolle or Edmond Boissier in the mid-19th century. In addition to the considerable works of these learned botanists, we were able to admire the evolution of engraving techniques for these botanical plates, which were the domain of several artists. Above all, we were able to appreciate the great wealth of this library which contains nearly all prints dealing with systematic botany of the 18th century.
We were grateful to our guides for sharing their passion for flowers with our group, and for preserving this heritage, which they opened up to our curiosity by answering our numerous questions.
March 29, 2025　　Workshop
Kagei Adachi-ryū School ikebana workshop by Martha Bachmann and Dominique Landolt,March 29, 2025
Fifteen people gathered in Geneva on Saturday March 29, 2025, to welcome Martha Bachmann and Dominique Landolt, who had come all the way from Zurich to present their School.
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The Kagei Adachi-ryū School has established a large number of themes to explore (over 70!). We saw several of them realized before our very eyes. Each participant was able to choose the one that spoke to her before creating a structure using willow catkins and finding a place for flowers. A beautiful choice of plants were brought especially for us. Martha, with Dominique’s support, advised each participant.