For as well as for the others, there are certain things wanted, dreamed about, and planned so that they can change for better in the last minute. At the courses time flies and rarely we get to talk about them because as soon as it ends we start some new ones. So this time we paused this fast-forwarded movie to talk with Mihaela which was the lector at the Floral Design Summer School at Cembra.
Mihaela– In the 5 course days, a subject we bought into discussion very often and we also analyzed was the florists point of view, the events planner but also the simple man, what does it mean having a sustainable way of working, eco- friendly, fully harmonizing with the nature ..
Of course the events industry as well as the florists, they rarely take into account these values, or mostly not at all. This is also my biggest challenge as a teacher, willing to plant at least one nature love seed, if not making a complete change in one’s vision.
I consider this a challenge, because even if there’s a global warning and there are drastically measures used for reducing the pollution and suffocating the Earth, in Romania this happens only in a spoken kind of way.
Unfortunately our country’s historical journey, is not offering a big help. And so selective recycling, reusing and reducing the consumption costs, using insecticide, pesticide or other harmful substances, the corruption as well as the low level education quality are real obstacles in the population;s education process.
However, my business travels in other countries and continents, my desire to change the world and the place, the passion i have for flowers, beauty, good taste , arts, literature, painting, philosophy, anthropology and many others are showing and they help me pass on the knowledge i received myself. I succeed magically in creating real „botanical experiences”, knitted up with very precious life lessons, folklore authentic stories, personal or real short history, tradition, architecture, nature and Universe.
My students are attracted into this magical world and so by the ludic, creative process used in the teaching process, at the end they leave with a new vision and perspective towards work, life and personal happiness.
I am glad that we started this collaboration and that alongside Cembra, having similar values, we experience unique moments full of sense and wisdom. This is the way i think a private school can grow beautifully and influence the world. With quality teachers/tutors, looking for a better world, tidier, more relaxed and of course far more healthier and worries free. The equilibrium in all of these is actually the key to a simple and happy life in perfect communion with nature and cosmic space.
Mihaela– This is a very complex discussion that I’d like to approach more in detail but another time.
Instead, i will try to detail a bit about my belief in flowering.
It is a big world, vast,diverse full of opportunities, situations, typologies, varieties and contrasts. In fact it all starts form here. Everything is an antithesis, a contrast between good and bad, between beauty and ugliness, between mold and heaven, between Harap Alb, past, present and future.
To find and keep and equilibrium I think it is the biggest lesson for us as humanity.
A lesson which teaches you that having a lot but at a low quality is producing a disaster and teachers even stupidity and bothers the others because of the uneducated attitude and behavior of a neanderthal being. U start avoiding these kind of people and you hide in your bubble. But by not doing anything, the majority becomes powerful and influences the world becoming influencers or icons. Negative models for our society.
Our purpose as teachers, is to demonstrate that there are other ways. That you can pick up a flower from a field without cutting off all the acre. That you can eat something tasty and healthy grown by yourself without paying a lot of money at a fancy restaurant. That you can dress-up simple by using natural products, without destroying millions of dolphins strangled in plastic spandex.
That life is beautiful and simple, but you must have the will to live it!
When you are surrounded by evilness, envy, lie, hate, sickness and stress, you go down by yourself not knowing that there is another way.
Together with Cembra, we will do all we can to give a helping hand and a wake-up call.
Mihaela– Cembra students are the ones in which the seeds of love for nature and our own kind were already planted. And now i is a good time because the roots are starting to grow.
For some of them the roots are strong, they followed their passion and talent and started to develop real businesses in that field. And for the others it just started to grow and become alive.
I, Pipo, have varied students. From people that are passionate about flower at an amateur level to art collectors and simple people for the countryside. My courses offer the opportunity to learn, organized in the most unusual places by the most unusual techniques.
It is more than a well-being, or well-living, personal and social developing course. Because, more than anything, my negotiation values include: saving old houses and popular traditions, taking car of grandmas and children, sustainability, care for the environment, history, literature, painting, music, theatre and film.
Everything in a fairy tale-like atmosphere, spontaneously created together with all the participants.
Mihaela– Here it is for the best to do this also face to face with each participant, a mini-interview like this one. This way we can see it better, how they felt and if my methods are really having a result.
But until then i will tell you from my point of view.
Spontaneously put together, because we had only one participant, Ramona, a passionate amateur of beauty and we might have not been able to hold our course. I really wanted it and it was worth all the effort.
Only on Friday we got the news that we can hold our course. I started organizing everything with my friend Adela, who is an educator in London but she was in the summer vacation and she came to help me and spend time together.
On Sunday i had no idea what will be next. I had totally different expectation.From a classy summer school, organize in a workshop with laptops, notebooks and a fixed schedule we had the chance to decorate the front door of the Black Church, alongside with our students, as well as yours and Edith’s help. I want to thank both of you this way for the unique chance we had. So, i think my answer is very simple. You come at our school and you have no idea what will you will learn by the end. It’s spontaneous but its worth the risk. Who know? Next time we’ll decorate the Palace of the Parliament 🙂 and you won’t want to miss the chance. Cembra and Pipo help you this way by offering a large range or courses.
Mihaela- Hmmm, a must known field, it’s not a fixed one. It actually is an conglomerate of qualities and defects. A contrast.
I only think that it is suggested to have a bit of enthusiasm, passion, will and motivation. If you’ll do your best and do things with love and respect for you and the others. Let yourself dream and create, let the inner child do things and make himself heard, it;s a good way to start on this path.
Yes, it’s not easy, boxes are heavy, flowers are sensitive, the long night and the cold. Though some choose to believe in their dreams and live in a beautiful way. I can help you with my thematic and innovative courses to learn and create authentically. To use the color in harmony and create a concept that fits everyone’s needs. Everything is made in accordance and respect for nature, our kind and ourselves.
Mihaela– Starting with the first day, in which we had a picnic in the most beautiful place with a great view of Brasov and we picked up wild flowers. Until the last day, in which we decorated the Black Church, sustainability was always present. From the smallest detail and symbol we used until we reached the big picture, everything was organized the civic eco friendly way, sustainable and artistic
We only used wild flowers, garden flowers or locally cultivated flowers. Also we only applied techniques that use recyclable and biodegradable elements, replacing this way the use of floral sponge,which is so toxic and carcinogenic.
I used personal knowledge and stories with a moral side to be able to decode the signals sent by nature! I decorated with flowers and fruits and created the first personal herbarium of the happy moments in life. One plant for each experience, for a year.
This is my final homework. Over one year, as following the personal herbarium, we will have one floral art exhibition, where each of the students will expose their herabrium and the kenzan arrangement. This way we will see how thorn, colorful or delicate is each life.
