St George’s Day Festival urban oasis by Sarah Eberle in Trafalgar Square. Photo © Eugenie Absalom.
What could be a better way to celebrate England’s patron saint than with a cup of tea in an English garden? Thousands gathered for St George’s Day Festival in Trafalgar Square on Saturday, 21 April 2012. The feast coincided with the actual birthday of Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II, who celebrated it privately at Windsor Castle.
I was passing by Trafalgar Square on Friday, 20th April, when I thought that I had a mirage with lots of trees in front of me. I could not quite believe my eyes. The only plant that I could recall seeing in this landmark London location was the Christmas tree.
I asked the workmen, who were busy installing artificial green lawns in the square, what was happening. I found out about forthcoming St George’s Day Festival that was to take place on Saturday, 21 April – two days ahead of the National Day of England (23 April – the day St George was beheaded in Palestine in 303).
I will hardly ever forget Trafalgar Square the way it looked the next day. It was transformed into one of England’s greatest treasures – its Garden. Fountains, fruit trees, herbs and flowers with mythical creatures and angel statues, both real and human, live music from a floral bandstand, created an atmosphere of an imaginary film set for a Garden Party with many thousands of happy participants.
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St George’s Day Festival 2012 video to Angel by The Robbie Boyd Band.
Live entertainment featured up and coming musicians, The Robbie Boyd Band among them. Families enjoyed the April sunshine and music, relaxing on the “grass”. Children, wrapped up in the flags of England, had fun playing with floating flowers and swans in the fountains. The maroon mechanical Dragon, skillfully crafted by Keith the Jelly Roller was everybody’s favourite. The Dragon moved its head, opened mouth amusingly, spread wooden wings and produced horn-like sounds to the joy of the audience.
Traditional English delights continued in a special terrace where English tea was served with a twist – cakes were made of flowers. Creativity had no bounds. Garden trail, face-painting for children and origami lessons alongside inspirational workshops in planting techniques provided the best of time for all the family and became a “wow” garden party to remember.
Dragon Machine Jelly Rollers in Trafalgar Square. Photo © Eugenie Absalom.
The Mayor of London joined efforts with innovative landscape designer Sarah Eberle to bring to life the urban oasis that saw the square-a-bloom for one day. The award-winning horticulturalist took modern garden design to the level of fine art.
Celebrations made it clear that keeping in touch with nature is something that people really like. 20 000 – 25 000 people visited St George’s Day Festival 2012 in Trafalgar Square, according to the Greater London Authority.
My St George’s Day Festival entry in the Diamond Jubilee Time Capsule.
My photos of St George’s Day Festival 2012 on Demotix.
Text and Camera by Eugenie Absalom
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