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Festival Canadiense del Tulipán
Lo que observo más allá de la imagen
De la iniciativa
Esa foto me cuenta historias recientes. Lo primero que me salta a la vista es un primerísimo plano de un montón de tulipanes que tienen unos colores ¡que flipas! Seguro que los que más se ven son unos rojos superintensos, como si fueran de terciopelo, ¿verdad? Y entre ellos, me imagino otros amarillos bien chillones, de esos que parece que se han tragado el sol. Las flores están a tope, con los pétalos bien abiertos como diciendo “¡aquí estamos!”, y al fondo, se intuye un cielo azul, de esos de día buenos. Los tallos y las hojas, de un verde bien vivo, hacen como de colchoncito para tanto color. Quizás, si nos fijamos más lejos, veremos más y más tulipanes, como un mar de flores, y alguna que otra personita paseando, lo que te da una idea de que el sitio es enorme. La luz parece de esas mañanas o tardes soleadas perfectas, que hace que todo brille más. Es de esas imágenes que te sacan una sonrisa y te hacen pensar en lo bonita que es la primavera.
Lo que me hace sentir la Imagen
¡Me fascina cómo esta foto logra traerme de vuelta a ese festival, aunque no sea exactamente “la nuestra”! Es increíble, solo con tus palabras ya estoy reviviendo esa aventura y la alegría me invade por completo. ¡Y qué te digo de la naturaleza! Simplemente, me deja sin palabras.
Siento ese calorcito de nuevo, como si Matthew y yo estuviéramos ahí, compartiendo esa complicidad tan nuestra al quedarnos boquiabiertos ante algo tan alucinante. Cuando mencionas esa “multitud de colores y formas”, ¡uf!, mi mente se va directo a una paleta infinita, un verdadero festín para la vista. Es que cada tulipán es una pequeña obra de arte, ¿no crees? Desde los más clásicos y elegantes hasta los más atrevidos y salvajes.
¡Y el olor!
¡Ay, madre mía, casi lo huelo desde aquí! Me llega ese perfume sutil, dulce, pero con un toque terroso, mezclándose con el aire fresco de la primavera canadiense. Es como el aroma a algo nuevo, a la vida despertando después del frío. La imagen que has pintado y el recuerdo que has desenterrado me hacen sentir la energía de la gente, el bullicio, pero también esa paz que encuentras cuando te detienes un segundo a contemplar un simple tulipán. Es una mezcla de la emoción del evento y una calma absoluta por la belleza, todo envuelto en el cariño de la amistad y los buenos momentos.
La Anécdota Detrás de Todo
Viernes, 9 de mayo de 2025. Matthew y yo llegamos a Ottawa con los nervios a flor de piel, ¡listísimos para zambullirnos en el Festival Canadiense del Tulipán! Desde el minuto uno, alucinamos con lo bestial que era todo. ¡Más de un millón de tulipanes, imagínate! Nuestra primera parada, cómo no, fue el Commissioners Park, al ladito del lago Dow's, que es un remanso de paz. Allí, con el lema de ese año, “Celebrando los Colores de la Liberación”, los jardines temáticos eran un espectáculo. Nos pasamos horas, dale que te pego a caminar por los senderos, perdiéndonos entre olas de rojos, amarillos, naranjas, rosas, morados… Matthew, con su cámara, no paraba de buscar el ángulo perfecto, mientras yo me dedicaba más a empaparme del ambiente, del olor, de la increíble variedad de formas y, claro, a charlar con alguna gente que nos encontrábamos.
Mosaico propio hecho en PowerPoint 365 Pro.
Los días siguientes, ¡a explorar cada rincón como si no hubiera un mañana! Un día lo dedicamos a aprender más sobre la historia de amistad entre Canadá y los Países Bajos. Nos metimos a alguna charla o nos paramos a leer los paneles que contaban cómo este festival es un símbolo de gratitud enorme porque Canadá acogió a la familia real holandesa durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial, y cómo las tropas canadienses fueron clave para liberar los Países Bajos. De repente, cada tulipán tenía como un significado más profundo, ¿sabes? Representaba ese lazo que se formó en tiempos chungos y que se renueva cada año. Sentimos de verdad ese espíritu de libertad y de buen rollo entre países flotando en el aire. Matthew, por cierto, se agenció unos cuantos trípticos para una tarea del cole que, ¡ojo!, ya la presentó y le fue de maravilla.
Pero no todo fue estar parados, mirando flores, ¡qué va! Nos apuntamos a algunas de las actividades culturales: escuchamos música en directo en alguno de los escenarios al aire libre, con canciones que celebraban la diversidad y la alegría. Picoteamos algunas delicias locales en los puestecillos de comida, desde un poutine de los de verdad hasta algún dulce con inspiración holandesa, para hacer honor a la ocasión.
Una tarde, con un sol de esos que pegan fuerte, pero se agradecen, decidimos alquilar unas bicis para darnos un buen paseo por el Major's Hill Park. Desde allí, las vistas del Parlamento, con los tulipanes de colores haciendo de marco, eran una pasada. Nos sentamos en un banco, con la brisita primaveral dándonos en la cara, y comentamos lo especial que era estar allí, no solo celebrando la primavera, sino también ese mensaje tan potente de esperanza y gratitud.
Los días se nos pasaron volando entre risas, fotos, descubrimientos y la belleza apabullante de las flores. El festival se convirtió para nosotros en mucho más que ir a ver plantas; fue como sumergirnos en la historia, celebrar la amistad —la nuestra y la de dos naciones enteras— y un recordatorio supervivo de cómo la belleza puede surgir con fuerza incluso después de las peores épocas. Cuando el festival terminó, el 19 de mayo, nos llevamos en la retina (¡y en la cámara!) imágenes preciosas… Esta era la tercera vez que Matthew iba, ¡y la décima mía! Y seguro que no la última.
Cómo participar, aún estás a tiempo…
Una imagen vale más que mil palabras
Portada de la iniciativa.
CRÉDITOS:
Imagen tomada de la iniciativa, cortesía de UNAPLASH
🔆****🔆****🔆****🔆****🔆****🔆****🔆****🔆****🔆
Dedicado a todos aquellos que contribuyen, día a día, a hacer de este planeta un mundo mejor.
Canadian Tulip Festival.
What I see beyond the image
From the initiative.
This photo tells me recent stories. The first thing that jumps out at me is a close-up of a bunch of tulips with colours that are crazy! I'm sure that the most visible ones are super intense reds, as if they were velvet, right? And among them, I can imagine other bright yellow ones, the kind that look like they've been swallowed by the sun. The flowers are in full bloom, with their petals wide open as if to say ‘here we are’, and in the background, a blue sky can be glimpsed, one of those good days. The stems and leaves, of a very vivid green, act as a little cushion for so much colour. Perhaps, if you look further away, you will see more and more tulips, like a sea of flowers, and the odd little person strolling by, which gives you an idea that the place is huge. The light looks like one of those perfect sunny mornings or afternoons, which makes everything sparkle even more. It is one of those images that make you smile and make you think about how beautiful spring is.
What the Image Makes Me Feel
I'm fascinated by how this photo brings me back to that festival, even if it's not exactly ‘ours’! It's incredible, just with your words I'm already reliving that adventure and the joy comes over me completely. And what can I say about the nature! It simply leaves me speechless.
I feel that little warmth again, as if Matthew and I were there, sharing that complicity that is so much ours as we stand in awe of something so amazing. When you mention that ‘multitude of colours and shapes’, phew, my mind goes straight to an infinite palette, a real feast for the eyes. Every tulip is a little work of art, don't you think? From the most classic and elegant to the most daring and wild.
And the smell!
Oh, my goodness, I can almost smell it from here! I get that subtle, sweet, yet earthy scent, mingling with the fresh Canadian spring air. It's like the scent of something new, of life waking up after the cold. The image you have painted and the memory you have unearthed make me feel the energy of the people, the bustle, but also that peace you find when you stop for a second to contemplate a simple tulip. It is a mixture of the excitement of the event and an absolute calmness for the beauty, all wrapped in the affection of friendship and good times.
The Anecdote Behind It All
Friday, 9 May 2025. Matthew and I arrived in Ottawa with our nerves on edge, ready to dive into the Canadian Tulip Festival! From minute one, we were amazed at how beastly it all was - over a million tulips, imagine that! Our first stop, of course, was the Commissioners Park, right next to Dow's Lake, which is a haven of peace. There, with that year's theme, ‘Celebrating the Colours of Liberation’, the themed gardens were a spectacle. We spent hours walking the paths, getting lost in waves of reds, yellows, oranges, pinks, purples... Matthew, with his camera, kept looking for the perfect angle, while I spent more time soaking up the atmosphere, the smell, the incredible variety of shapes and, of course, chatting with some of the people we met.
Own mosaic done in PowerPoint 365 Pro.
The following days were spent exploring every nook and cranny like there was no tomorrow! One day was spent learning more about the history of friendship between Canada and the Netherlands. We got into some lectures or stopped to read the panels that told how this festival is a huge symbol of gratitude because Canada hosted the Dutch royal family during World War II, and how Canadian troops were instrumental in liberating the Netherlands. Suddenly, each tulip had like a deeper meaning, you know? It represented that bond that was formed in bad times and is renewed every year. We really felt that spirit of freedom and good feeling between countries floating in the air. Matthew, by the way, got hold of a few leaflets for a school assignment, which, by the way, he already submitted and it went really well.
But it wasn't all about standing around, looking at flowers, no way! We took part in some of the cultural activities: we listened to live music on one of the outdoor stages, with songs celebrating diversity and joy. We nibbled on some local delicacies at the food stalls, from real poutine to some Dutch-inspired sweets, to mark the occasion.
One afternoon, with one of those sunny afternoons, we decided to rent some bikes for a nice ride through Major's Hill Park. From there, the view of Parliament, with the coloured tulips as a backdrop, was breathtaking. We sat on a bench, with the spring breeze blowing in our faces, and talked about how special it was to be there, not only celebrating spring, but also that powerful message of hope and gratitude.
The days flew by with laughter, photos, discoveries and the overwhelming beauty of the flowers. For us, the festival became much more than just going to see plants; it was an immersion in history, a celebration of friendship - ours and that of two entire nations - and a living reminder of how beauty can emerge strong even after the worst of times. When the festival ended on 19 May, we took home some beautiful images in our retinas (and cameras!)… This was Matthew's third time there, and my tenth! And surely not the last!
Come ɑnd pɑɾticipɑte becɑuse γou still hɑve, time…
A Pictuɾe Is Woɾth A Thousɑnd Woɾds
Cover of the initiative.
CREDITS:
Image taken from the initiative, courtesy of UNAPLASH
🔆****🔆****🔆****🔆****🔆****🔆****🔆****🔆****🔆
I am dedicated to all those who contribute daily to make our planet ɑ a better world.
Cómo participar, aún estás a tiempo…
Una imagen vale más que mil palabras
Portada de la iniciativa.
CRÉDITOS:
Imagen tomada de la iniciativa, cortesía de UNAPLASH
Dedicado a todos aquellos que contribuyen, día a día, a hacer de este planeta un mundo mejor.
Canadian Tulip Festival.
What I see beyond the image
From the initiative.
This photo tells me recent stories. The first thing that jumps out at me is a close-up of a bunch of tulips with colours that are crazy! I'm sure that the most visible ones are super intense reds, as if they were velvet, right? And among them, I can imagine other bright yellow ones, the kind that look like they've been swallowed by the sun. The flowers are in full bloom, with their petals wide open as if to say ‘here we are’, and in the background, a blue sky can be glimpsed, one of those good days. The stems and leaves, of a very vivid green, act as a little cushion for so much colour. Perhaps, if you look further away, you will see more and more tulips, like a sea of flowers, and the odd little person strolling by, which gives you an idea that the place is huge. The light looks like one of those perfect sunny mornings or afternoons, which makes everything sparkle even more. It is one of those images that make you smile and make you think about how beautiful spring is.
What the Image Makes Me Feel
I'm fascinated by how this photo brings me back to that festival, even if it's not exactly ‘ours’! It's incredible, just with your words I'm already reliving that adventure and the joy comes over me completely. And what can I say about the nature! It simply leaves me speechless.
I feel that little warmth again, as if Matthew and I were there, sharing that complicity that is so much ours as we stand in awe of something so amazing. When you mention that ‘multitude of colours and shapes’, phew, my mind goes straight to an infinite palette, a real feast for the eyes. Every tulip is a little work of art, don't you think? From the most classic and elegant to the most daring and wild.
And the smell!
Oh, my goodness, I can almost smell it from here! I get that subtle, sweet, yet earthy scent, mingling with the fresh Canadian spring air. It's like the scent of something new, of life waking up after the cold. The image you have painted and the memory you have unearthed make me feel the energy of the people, the bustle, but also that peace you find when you stop for a second to contemplate a simple tulip. It is a mixture of the excitement of the event and an absolute calmness for the beauty, all wrapped in the affection of friendship and good times.
The Anecdote Behind It All
Friday, 9 May 2025. Matthew and I arrived in Ottawa with our nerves on edge, ready to dive into the Canadian Tulip Festival! From minute one, we were amazed at how beastly it all was - over a million tulips, imagine that! Our first stop, of course, was the Commissioners Park, right next to Dow's Lake, which is a haven of peace. There, with that year's theme, ‘Celebrating the Colours of Liberation’, the themed gardens were a spectacle. We spent hours walking the paths, getting lost in waves of reds, yellows, oranges, pinks, purples... Matthew, with his camera, kept looking for the perfect angle, while I spent more time soaking up the atmosphere, the smell, the incredible variety of shapes and, of course, chatting with some of the people we met.
Own mosaic done in PowerPoint 365 Pro.
The following days were spent exploring every nook and cranny like there was no tomorrow! One day was spent learning more about the history of friendship between Canada and the Netherlands. We got into some lectures or stopped to read the panels that told how this festival is a huge symbol of gratitude because Canada hosted the Dutch royal family during World War II, and how Canadian troops were instrumental in liberating the Netherlands. Suddenly, each tulip had like a deeper meaning, you know? It represented that bond that was formed in bad times and is renewed every year. We really felt that spirit of freedom and good feeling between countries floating in the air. Matthew, by the way, got hold of a few leaflets for a school assignment, which, by the way, he already submitted and it went really well.
But it wasn't all about standing around, looking at flowers, no way! We took part in some of the cultural activities: we listened to live music on one of the outdoor stages, with songs celebrating diversity and joy. We nibbled on some local delicacies at the food stalls, from real poutine to some Dutch-inspired sweets, to mark the occasion.
One afternoon, with one of those sunny afternoons, we decided to rent some bikes for a nice ride through Major's Hill Park. From there, the view of Parliament, with the coloured tulips as a backdrop, was breathtaking. We sat on a bench, with the spring breeze blowing in our faces, and talked about how special it was to be there, not only celebrating spring, but also that powerful message of hope and gratitude.
The days flew by with laughter, photos, discoveries and the overwhelming beauty of the flowers. For us, the festival became much more than just going to see plants; it was an immersion in history, a celebration of friendship - ours and that of two entire nations - and a living reminder of how beauty can emerge strong even after the worst of times. When the festival ended on 19 May, we took home some beautiful images in our retinas (and cameras!)… This was Matthew's third time there, and my tenth! And surely not the last!
Come ɑnd pɑɾticipɑte becɑuse γou still hɑve, time…
A Pictuɾe Is Woɾth A Thousɑnd Woɾds
Cover of the initiative.
CREDITS:
Image taken from the initiative, courtesy of UNAPLASH
🔆****🔆****🔆****🔆****🔆****🔆****🔆****🔆****🔆
I am dedicated to all those who contribute daily to make our planet ɑ a better world.
Dedicado a todos aquellos que contribuyen, día a día, a hacer de este planeta un mundo mejor.
Canadian Tulip Festival.
What I see beyond the image
From the initiative.
This photo tells me recent stories. The first thing that jumps out at me is a close-up of a bunch of tulips with colours that are crazy! I'm sure that the most visible ones are super intense reds, as if they were velvet, right? And among them, I can imagine other bright yellow ones, the kind that look like they've been swallowed by the sun. The flowers are in full bloom, with their petals wide open as if to say ‘here we are’, and in the background, a blue sky can be glimpsed, one of those good days. The stems and leaves, of a very vivid green, act as a little cushion for so much colour. Perhaps, if you look further away, you will see more and more tulips, like a sea of flowers, and the odd little person strolling by, which gives you an idea that the place is huge. The light looks like one of those perfect sunny mornings or afternoons, which makes everything sparkle even more. It is one of those images that make you smile and make you think about how beautiful spring is.
What the Image Makes Me Feel
I'm fascinated by how this photo brings me back to that festival, even if it's not exactly ‘ours’! It's incredible, just with your words I'm already reliving that adventure and the joy comes over me completely. And what can I say about the nature! It simply leaves me speechless.
I feel that little warmth again, as if Matthew and I were there, sharing that complicity that is so much ours as we stand in awe of something so amazing. When you mention that ‘multitude of colours and shapes’, phew, my mind goes straight to an infinite palette, a real feast for the eyes. Every tulip is a little work of art, don't you think? From the most classic and elegant to the most daring and wild.
And the smell!
Oh, my goodness, I can almost smell it from here! I get that subtle, sweet, yet earthy scent, mingling with the fresh Canadian spring air. It's like the scent of something new, of life waking up after the cold. The image you have painted and the memory you have unearthed make me feel the energy of the people, the bustle, but also that peace you find when you stop for a second to contemplate a simple tulip. It is a mixture of the excitement of the event and an absolute calmness for the beauty, all wrapped in the affection of friendship and good times.
The Anecdote Behind It All
Friday, 9 May 2025. Matthew and I arrived in Ottawa with our nerves on edge, ready to dive into the Canadian Tulip Festival! From minute one, we were amazed at how beastly it all was - over a million tulips, imagine that! Our first stop, of course, was the Commissioners Park, right next to Dow's Lake, which is a haven of peace. There, with that year's theme, ‘Celebrating the Colours of Liberation’, the themed gardens were a spectacle. We spent hours walking the paths, getting lost in waves of reds, yellows, oranges, pinks, purples... Matthew, with his camera, kept looking for the perfect angle, while I spent more time soaking up the atmosphere, the smell, the incredible variety of shapes and, of course, chatting with some of the people we met.
Own mosaic done in PowerPoint 365 Pro.
The following days were spent exploring every nook and cranny like there was no tomorrow! One day was spent learning more about the history of friendship between Canada and the Netherlands. We got into some lectures or stopped to read the panels that told how this festival is a huge symbol of gratitude because Canada hosted the Dutch royal family during World War II, and how Canadian troops were instrumental in liberating the Netherlands. Suddenly, each tulip had like a deeper meaning, you know? It represented that bond that was formed in bad times and is renewed every year. We really felt that spirit of freedom and good feeling between countries floating in the air. Matthew, by the way, got hold of a few leaflets for a school assignment, which, by the way, he already submitted and it went really well.
But it wasn't all about standing around, looking at flowers, no way! We took part in some of the cultural activities: we listened to live music on one of the outdoor stages, with songs celebrating diversity and joy. We nibbled on some local delicacies at the food stalls, from real poutine to some Dutch-inspired sweets, to mark the occasion.
One afternoon, with one of those sunny afternoons, we decided to rent some bikes for a nice ride through Major's Hill Park. From there, the view of Parliament, with the coloured tulips as a backdrop, was breathtaking. We sat on a bench, with the spring breeze blowing in our faces, and talked about how special it was to be there, not only celebrating spring, but also that powerful message of hope and gratitude.
The days flew by with laughter, photos, discoveries and the overwhelming beauty of the flowers. For us, the festival became much more than just going to see plants; it was an immersion in history, a celebration of friendship - ours and that of two entire nations - and a living reminder of how beauty can emerge strong even after the worst of times. When the festival ended on 19 May, we took home some beautiful images in our retinas (and cameras!)… This was Matthew's third time there, and my tenth! And surely not the last!
Come ɑnd pɑɾticipɑte becɑuse γou still hɑve, time…
A Pictuɾe Is Woɾth A Thousɑnd Woɾds
Cover of the initiative.
CREDITS:
Image taken from the initiative, courtesy of UNAPLASH
🔆****🔆****🔆****🔆****🔆****🔆****🔆****🔆****🔆
I am dedicated to all those who contribute daily to make our planet ɑ a better world.
Come ɑnd pɑɾticipɑte becɑuse γou still hɑve, time…
A Pictuɾe Is Woɾth A Thousɑnd Woɾds
Cover of the initiative.
CREDITS:
Image taken from the initiative, courtesy of UNAPLASH
I am dedicated to all those who contribute daily to make our planet ɑ a better world.