West Side Flower Fest 2025, organized under the patronage of Sector 6 City Hall, transformed an urban park into a spectacular display of contemporary floral art. The theme of this year’s edition, 'Stories in Flowers', brought together five renowned Romanian floral designers who were challenged to reinterpret famous literary works into large-scale floral installations.
The five artists were carefully selected by Aurora Flowers and Plants for their artistic vision, professional experience, and ability to tell stories through floral language. Moreover, Aurora launched an open call for volunteer florists, offering as many professionals as possible access to such an experience—a valuable step in their professional development and a refreshing break from the routine of daily floral shop work.
Five Renowned Romanian Floral Designers and Their Stories in Flowers
Andrei Bindea, Florentina Drăghici, Andreea Popa, Adina Dancianu, and Dhaniel Nora were each supported logistically and creatively by Aurora Flowers and Plants, the main partner of the project. Collaboration with the artists included specialized consultancy, curated floral and plant selections, and operational support throughout the implementation process.
'The Passage – Beyond the Gate of Narnia' by Andrei Bindea
Created by Andrei Bindea, founder of the brand Flori cu efect de WOW, this installation is an invitation to introspection and escapism, inspired by the magical world of The Chronicles of Narnia. A wooden gate adorned with hand-painted details and rich vegetation marks the symbolic border between reality and imagination. Lush foliage—featuring hydrangeas, strelitzia, allium, roses, dianthus, and preserved moss—enhances the immersive feeling of crossing into another realm.
The piece embodies narrative sensitivity, color harmony, and emotional depth. Andrei, with over twenty years of experience in floral art, led a diverse team of technicians and florists to bring this vision to life. He was supported during the conceptualization and execution by Alexandra Antal of Florăria Mara (Brașov), whose input was crucial in defining the artistic direction and technical solutions. The result became one of the most photographed installations of the festival, resonating with visitors as a reconnection with the wonders of childhood and nature’s regenerative power.
In Andrei’s words:
“This creation was a creative reset—an escape from the studio routine. It reminded me of the pure emotional power of floral design.”
'Divine Comedy' by Florentina Drăghici
Florentina Drăghici visually translated Dante’s masterpiece into a floral narrative of the soul’s journey through Inferno, Purgatory, and Paradise. Three floral arches represent existential thresholds, united by a central tree evoking vertical spiritual transformation. The color palette evolves from dramatic, intense tones to ethereal brightness, telling a story through flowers alone.
Florentina, a floral designer with projects across Romania and abroad since the early 2010s, led a team of artists: Ana Grigoraș, Raluca Aniței, and Cristian Carapet, each contributing their unique expertise. The installation posed significant technical challenges in terms of construction and weather resilience, but resulted in a deeply emotional and coherent piece. Many visitors returned multiple times to experience it under different light conditions.
Florentina shared:
“It was an intense journey—emotional and transformative for me and my team. It’s the kind of project that reshapes you and reconnects you with your passion.”
'The Little Prince' by Andreea Popa
Andreea Popa’s work reimagines Saint-Exupéry’sThe Little Prince through a poetic installation featuring a giant open book from which roses, Gypsophila, and multicolored carnations emerge. A red rose under a glass dome, a floating sphere with the prince’s statue, moss-covered planets, and a blossoming tree illustrate themes of wonder, love, and friendship.
Interactive elements—suspended quotes, floating symbols—enhance the emotional impact. Andreea, an engineer and economist, founder of The Sisters Flower Studio, brought together a mixed team of florists and volunteers to realize the piece. Her creative solutions ensured structural balance and weather resistance. Visually impactful yet deeply introspective, the piece invited quiet reflection.
Andreea said:
“For me, The Little Prince is more than a story—it’s a manifesto of simplicity and truth. This project gave me a new way to speak through flowers.”
'The Violinist' by Adina Dancianu
Inspired by Harriet Constable’s novel The Violinist of Venice, Adina Dancianu’s installation centers on a 4.2-meter floral violin sculpted in 'musical colors': purple for gravity, gold for uplifting notes, emerald green, and pale pink for soft harmonies.
The composition includes a vintage dress made entirely of flowers, a stylized female silhouette, a suspended musical staff, and a symbolic floral landscape inspired by Venice’s canals. Adina and her team—Oana A. Murărașu, Oana Dumitrache, Melania Turcu, Vladina Radu, and Mihaela Vardianu—crafted a fluid and emotionally resonant piece. A live violin performance added a multisensory moment that deeply moved the audience.
Adina:
“This work felt like setting my soul to music, a total challenge that reminded me flowers can sing.”
'Taming Pegasus' by Dhaniel Nora
One of the most striking works of the 2025 edition, Dhaniel Nora’s 'Taming Pegasus' reimagines the myth of Pegasus and Bellerophon. A monumental sculpture of the winged horse, specially created for the festival, is framed by Greek columns and a floral composition balancing strength and grace.
The installation, fully designed and built by the Purple Flowers team, showcases architectural precision and floral sensitivity. Carefully selected blooms emphasize verticality, texture, and dynamic energy. Dhaniel, known for his large-scale symbolic compositions, once again proved the power of floristry as a universal artistic language.
Dhaniel Nora reflected:
“Participating in West Side Flower Fest 2025 offered us a rare opportunity for creative affirmation and professional visibility. The genuine emotional reactions from visitors confirmed for us that floristry can be living art.”
