Barcelona’s flower wholesale market Mercabarna hosts 39th edition of X-mas-themed Mercademostraciones

Photo credit: Rubén Cruz.

With Christmas less than 2 months away and in keeping with tradition, Barcelona’s flower wholesale market Mercabarna-flor held its annual Mercademostraciones on Sunday 12 November 2023  offering an audience of more than 2,500 florists from across Spain the opportunity to stay on X-mas trends, learn new skills, and network.

If participants were wondering what kind of decorations will be decking the hall this Christmas, they now know the answer is ‘aesthetically pleasing’ , ‘neutral-toned’, and  ‘cozy’.  What stands out most is the harmony with nature and the rejection of kitsch. So, no artificial snow, synthetic x-mas guirlandes nor inflattable santa clauses this year.

Photo credit: Rubén Cruz.

Attendees at the ‘Prêt-a-porter’ themed event could observe a clear tendency for a minimalistic approach with the traditional colours red and green being combined with  white, grey, silvere anbd blue.

The event included a floral design competion with florists vying for Award for the Best and Most Original Christmas arrangement. One of the highlights was a demonstration of 2022 Europa Cup Floristry winner Hanneke Frankema from the Netherlands, who showed a new spin on X-mas themed arrangements and bouquets.

A team of florists from the country’s top floral design schools –  Escuela de Diseño Floral y Paisajismo and Rosa Valls Formació – created stunning displays and worked out a hundred and one ideas for stunning floral arrangements.

Master florist Mia Parramón created stunning tablepieces, Christmas bouquets, wreaths, and guirlandes.