It has been two years since the tulips last made their appearance at the Flower Dome. Tulipmania 2021 at Gardens by the Bay marks the return of this crowd-favourite floral display and, this time around, it is going back to its wild origins.
Tulipmania 2021 at Gardens by the Bay: Its Wild Origins
While we normally associate tulips with the Netherlands, the colourful bulbs have their origins in Central Asia. These “roots” are showcased at Tulipmania 2021 with a focus on the country of Kazakhstan.
Greeting visitors to the Gardens by the Bay Flower Dome is a mock-up which shows Timurid architecture. This feature has geometric patterns in blue and turquoise hues.
Discover Kazakh Culture
Pride of place at the Flower Filed belongs to a Kazakh Yurt. This tent serves as the home for nomadic Kazakhs and is made from a lattice work of wood and heavy fabric. In Kazakhstan, the yurt is a symbol of hospitality and family.
In front of the yurt, the Flower Field has been planted with tulip bulbs. When we visited, most of them had yet to bloom. They appeared as a carpet of green.
A pair of horse wooden sculptures in front of the green bulbs create the impression of the great open grassland of the Kazakh Steppe.
When the tulips finally bloom, the field will be an amazing sight to see.
The Silk Road
Tulipmania 2021 also take the opportunity to provide a glimpse into the world of the Silk Road, the land trade route that connected China to Europe in ancient times.
There are displays of the goods that flowed through the Silk Route, such as wool carpets…
… precious stones…
… and luxurious textiles.
It can be quite an educational visit and provides an interesting look into another culture.
Tulipmania 2021 at Gardens by the Bay is presented in partnership with the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Singapore. It will run from 7 October to 14 November 2021. Admission charges to the Flower Dome apply.
