Bonsai and Suiseki championship on Sept 3-9

KUCHING: The Sarawak Open Bonsai & Suiseki Championship is set to make a grand return to La Promenade Mall with about 120 entries.

The mall will host an exhibition featuring plants of all sizes, from miniatures under a foot to XL trees several meters tall during the event on Sept 3-9.

The event will also showcase a “Suiseki” exhibit celebrating ancient Japanese and Chinese stone appreciation traditions and visitors can enjoy free masterclasses conducted by international bonsai experts.

In addition, the championship will award four grand prizes, with the judging panel comprising specialists from the Malaysia Bonsai and Suiseki Society (MBSS), the Sarawak association, Taiwanese bonsai experts, Zhang Yong Shou and Xu Rong Chang and more.

Throwback to last year’s bonsai demo, where artistry and tradition shaped nature’s beauty.

Throwback to last year’s bonsai demo, where artistry and tradition shaped nature’s beauty.

Sarawak Bonsai Association (SBA) president Johnson Jong highlight the benefits of moving the show to mid-year.

“Typically, during the dry season, the trees are at their most beautiful,” he said.

The exhibition will include plants from across Sarawak, with entries transported to La Promenade Mall via lorries or pick-ups from locations such as Sri Aman and Miri.

“For the third year in a row, the Sarawak Open has grown larger. None of this could have been possible without the aid of our sponsorship from Hock Seng Lee (HSL),” he said.

HSL executive director Tony Yu is supportive of the Sarawak Open because it is in line with their flagship property’s signature green.

The international judges for The Sarawak Open Bonsai & Suiseki Championship.

“We have tree-lined boulevards with over 1,500 trees of various species and a landscape team of nearly 30 people.

“It’s so great to see growing interests and genuine appreciation for greens from the community,” he said.

Entry to the Sarawak Open is free for all visitors. For more information, visit lapromenademall.com.my and hsl.com.my, or follow @lapromenademall on social media.