About Q1 2025

The 13th Liuzhou Viewing Stone Festival & BCI International Landscape Bonsai Invitational Convention was a feast for the senses and the soul. From the moment attendees arrived, they were greeted with warm smiles, a rich program of events, and artistry that inspired many. The creative brilliance of Chinese Bonsai and Penjing masters shone brightly, setting the tone for a gathering celebrating tradition, innovation, and the bonds uniting us as a global bonsai community.

This issue brings you the reflections of authors who were there to experience it all firsthand, each offering a unique perspective shaped by their personal journeys in the art of bonsai.

Dr. Sujata Bhat, BCI 1st Vice President, a bonsai artist and teacher from India, captures the event’s essence with the keen eye of a storyteller, weaving together art, nature, and the friendships that blossom at such gatherings. Indonesia’s Budi Sulistyo shares his joy in discovering the intricate beauty of stones and bonsai, vividly depicting the convention’s unforgettable moments.

From the UK, award-winning bonsai artist Tony Tickle shares his admiration for the Penjing landscapes, offering personal photographs and reflections that reveal how deeply he was inspired by this journey. In contrast, Australia’s second-generation bonsai professional Tony Bebb brings warmth and camaraderie in recounting the signing of friendship agreements at Baowen Garden—a significant milestone for the global bonsai community.

Yang Xi and Liu Chuangang, both from China, delve into the artistry of the event with an eye for tradition and innovation. Their reflections remind us why Liuzhou is a vital hub for bonsai and suiseki enthusiasts.

This issue also features BCI 2nd Vice President Min Hsuan Lo and his son Andrew, a dynamic duo from Taiwan, whose technical expertise and poetic approach to bonsai are as inspiring as they are educational. In two articles presented by BCI Director and contributing editor Massimo Bandera, Alessandro Bonardo from Italy, an apprentice of the legendary Masahiko Kimura, shares a fascinating look into the Nemaki technique, while Carmelo Bonanno brings us a story of triumph with his award-winning mountain pine.

Our technical minds are also treated to an article by Doctors Enrique Castaño and Luis Carlos Rodriguez Zapata, who offer a deep dive into how plant cells communicate in response to water. Their work exemplifies the union of art and science that defines bonsai.

Closer to home, I had the pleasure of attending the Toronto Bonsai Society’s 60th Anniversary Exhibit. Witnessing the dedication of volunteers working in one of the most challenging growing zones for bonsai was genuinely inspiring. Their passion and commitment remind us of the vibrant community that sustains our shared art form.

As you read through this issue, I hope you’ll feel the same sense of connection and inspiration that I did while preparing it. Behind every article is a story, a personality, and a shared love for bonsai and stones that transcends borders. Let us celebrate the authors, their contributions, and the volunteers who make it all possible

—Joe Grande, Canada