Birmingham's Super Garden, PoliNations, Transforms The City.
AD: An invited visit from Trigger PR & Unboxed.
2022 has been all about Birmingham. Hosts of the Commonwealth Games this summer and an opportunity to really celebrate this Midlands city. Now in its final month, The Birmingham 2022 Festival has been the biggest celebration of creativity ever for the region. The programme has been incredible for visitors to the city too!
The grand finale, PoliNations, is now underway. If you haven't had the opportunity to get to Birmingham, now is the time. You have the opportunity to see this super garden from 2-18 September.
PoliNations itself celebrates cultural diversity through the lens of British horticulture. Many of the plants in our city gardens come from overseas. Plants like those we know so well - daises, pansies, apple trees, roses don't actually come from the UK. Using this as inspiration, they celebrate the cross-pollination that has shaped British culture. 'They tell the story of journeys, movement, dispersal, and new roots' (source). The super garden has been produced by Trigger Collective, a team of experts from a range of fields such as horticulture, arts, science and architecture. They are led by Bristol-based arts organisation Trigger, which has a great reputation for its bold, free and inclusive projects that take place throughout the UK.
Whilst you are in Birmingham for PoliNations, why not stay in Saint Pauls House.
It hasn't taken long to transform this place from the Commonwealth Games either! Over 1000 people from 60 diverse community groups have helped to build PoliNations on Victoria Square. What is even better is that after the two-week festival, all of the plants will go back out into Birmingham. This will re-green the city and build a lasting legacy.
The view of this super garden is breathtaking. Towering above Victoria Square are giant architectural trees that soar high 35ft into the sky. These trees collect rainwater in their canopies and feed the 5000 living plants in the ground below. It really does not feel like you are in Birmingham at all. I could have happily spent hours amongst all of the plants and wildlife that were descending on this area.
Free activities and workshops take place during the day.
With something for everyone including music, spoken word, tours, light shows, design workshops and multi-sensory experiences. All of these experiences available at PoliNations are totally free.
Some of the experiences on offer include The Awakening. An opportunity to welcome in the day with an immersive soundscape and Yoga, Pilates or Tai Chi by local teachers. There are family workshops as well as an accessible multi-sensory tour around the history of tea making with Spectra. Although it is the final weekend of PoliNations that you definitely want to check out!
Do not miss PoliNations in Birmingham until 18 September.