Page 51 - BSAM 2015 Q1

occurred lately so bonsai lovers are afraid to indicate their names on the labels so it would be difficult to find out their home address.
The exhibitors had the possibility to get their bonsai judged by a committee the members who have attend- ed several seminars and passed an exam organized by the national bonsai club in order to receive the certifi- cate as a qualified bonsai judge. Criteria of evaluation are horticultural and aesthetic aspects. The three best judged bonsai of each category (mame/shohin, me- dium sized and large bonsai) are always awarded with a certificate respectively a medal. In addition, there are three special awards for outstanding bonsai: the award of the Bonsai Club Germany, the Willi-Benz- Memorial Award and the Certificate of Merit of EBA (European Bonsai Association).
A dozen Suiseki were integrated into the bonsai ex- hibition. It is a way to popularize Suiseki because only a very small percentage of the population in Germany know about it.
Bonsai demonstrations were presented by Andrea Melloni, Hartmut Münchenbach, Udo Wollenhaupt, Michael Wilhelm, Stefan Steininger and a lecture on Suiseki by Gudrun Benz. Demonstrators were from Germany with the exception of Mr. Steininger from Austria. This way, it was possible to keep costs low to the benefit of the club.
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