Ikebana Workshop: AIIB Project Office Offers Flower Arrangement Lecture for AIIB Employees
2016-11-09

Magnolias, malus, peonies, pines, bamboo and plums are believed to represent good fortune and character of integrity in traditional Chinese culture, being some of the plants used in the ikebana workshop offered for the AIIB employees. 

The AIIB Project Office invited a Café Mall employee (PhD in forestry) and two professional ikebana tutors to offer a lecture on Ikebana Chinese Style for the AIIB employees on 2 September during the morning tea break. Presided over by a Project Office employee, the lecture was delivered in two parts, the specialists’ demonstration and audiences’ hands-on experience. With a PPT show, one of the tutors dwelled on the history, concepts, facts and materials used in flower arrangement in China. During the presentation, 5 questions were posed to the audiences for interactivity to enliven the atmosphere. The lecture room went abuzz with answers when any of the questions was asked, reflecting strong interest of the audiences. As the presentation was being made, the other tutor worked on pieces of ikebana work, which were given as souvenirs at the end of the event through lot drawing. 18 AIIB employees applied for and took part in the hands-on experience, sitting in front of the table, making the best of their imaginations to produce perfect results with their own hands. As the works were completed, about 30 AIIB participants casted votes – coffee beans – to choose the favorite ones. The pieces made by the tutor were given to the lucky ones who were picked by lot drawing performed by Mr. D. J. Pandian, AIIB’s vice president and chief investment officer. At the end of the event, the participants took group photos to remember the happy moment, holding their flower arrangement pieces.

The event benefited profusely from the support and cooperation of various HSC departments. Under the guidance of this Project Office’s director, the Customer Service Group organized 3 trial lectures, making adjustments to the contents and form of the presentation, basing on previous experiences from the DRC events, to best meet the needs of the AIIB employees. The Conference Service Group provided all assistance in the form of venue maintenance and setup, everyone helped in the furniture moving and arrangement. The Cleaning Group worked overtime before and after to keep the venue tidy and clean. Thanks to their cooperation, the event was a complete success.

It has been 10 months since the Project Office moved into the AIIB Head Office, during which we have fashioned ideas to offer after-work cultural experience for the AIIB employees to promote the DRC brand name and style. Taking innovation as top priority, we are going to contribute to providing the best services for our customers.