Sometimes life gently slips into a rhythm of just going through the days—moving forward, one step at a time. And then, all of a sudden, there’s a spark. Coming to Leverano in Fiore is that spark for me. It’s a gift—a moment where everything aligns and I feel fully alive again. Surrounded by flowers, passion, creativity, and connection, this place reminds me of what happens when people come together to create beauty. The energy here is contagious—you can’t help but feel it.
Leverano in Fiore and Arteflorando
At Leverano in Fiore, I’m surrounded by our wonderful floral family. Ivan Bergh, Claudia Kla, Anna Maria Spedicato, Francesco Durante, Eleonora Comuzzi, and the beautiful town of Leverano have gathered an international group of souls who speak the same language: flowers. It’s simple and yet powerful—here, we create magic, share our passion, and inspire each other.
The Jury for Arteflorando
This year, I have the honor of being part of the jury, alongside the President of the jury, Marios Vallianos, and my fellow jury members Ahti Lyra and Simon Ogrizek. It’s a true privilege to witness the creativity and dedication of so many designers. On Saturday, the 31st of May, the competitors were given two tasks. Task 1, they could prepare a structure at home for, and task 2 was a surprise task. Coming Thursday, I will write a full recap of the competition, but here's a glimpse of what the designers came up with for creating a floral masterpiece that becomes the soul of Arteflorando and a mascot for Leverano in Fiore.
Simon Ogrizek, Florint:
"Arteflorando in Leverano was a very energetic and flowerful event, where ancient architecture of southern Italy was upgraded with the most special flower designs. In only two days, 12 competitors from all over the world also made 36 competition pieces, and as an international Florint judge, I could find interesting approaches in Floral decorations..
On behalf of FLORINT International Florist Organisation, I would like to express a sincere congratulations to organizer Ivan Bergh and to all the Floral designers attending this amazing event.
Thank you, Italy, for adding important milestones to World Floristry."
For the second task, the competitors were given big structures with a poster. A hole was provided for visitors to be able to get behind the design, place their head in the hole, and take a picture. This way, they can all post on social media. This is what the designers came up with.
With Thursd.com, we get to spotlight those golden moments that the organizers craft for not only the designers and collaborators, but also for the 120,000 visitors who pour into Leverano over three days. The whole town feels electric—alive with the spirit of youth, the heart of the local producers of Salento, and the deep-rooted culture of flowers. And of course, what matters most to me—people, family, and friendships—are at the very heart of it all.
Reuniting with Ivan, Claudia, Eleonora, Anna Maria, and Francesco made me feel how strong our floral industry is when we collaborate. That’s exactly the mission we carry forward with Thursd.com—connecting breeders, growers, wholesalers, exporters, and floral designers from all over the world. And here, in Leverano, I feel that connection amplified.
The Four Elements of Nature
This year's edition of Leverano in Fiore celebrates the elements of life—Fire, Earth, Wind, and Water. Organized by the passionate association, led by Antonio Paglialunga and guided by Sandro Leone, with love and vision from the Ivan Bergh Floral School, Anna Maria Spedicato, Francesco Durante, the town of Leverano, and many heartfelt contributors, it is a true celebration of nature, culture, and creativity.
Almost 300 local horticulturists and 130 floral designers have come together, filling the streets with floral art through the vibrant Arteflorando competition and breathtaking installations that turn the entire village into a living garden.
I’m filled with gratitude to be part of it.
We are all connected—here, in Leverano, through flowers.
Be Part of the Movement and Repost on Your Socials
A shoutout to all flower lovers in the world, follow @thursdofficial and share the stories you see passing by. Also, to growers and breeders, Salento has a wealth of flowers to make this event a success, but all flowers from around the world could make a statement: Make sure the world knows that everything is more beautiful with flowers. Life, like flowers, speaks softly—rooted in patience, blooming in seasons, and always reaching for light.
And There It Is! Leverano in Fiore 2025
Leverano in Fiore is a fact, almost all decorations are fully finished. I promise if you keep an eye on this blog, I will update it with new pictures and news!
But here are some galleries about what you can see in Leverano! It's amazing what flowers can do!!! Just enjoy!
