Atlanta Haiku Festival

Celebrate the connection between art and nature through haiku in the Garden during the Atlanta Haiku Festival. The month of fun begins with an online poetry competition (submissions open Feb. 1 – 28) with winners announced April 1. This kicks off a month of haiku activities and programs in April, including workshops, discovery stations and more. The Garden encourages guests to experience nature in many different ways: outdoor walks, gardening classes, plant-based cooking classes, botanical art and more. Japanese plants and culture are a significant part of these experiences; the Garden features many Japanese plants, as Atlanta and Japan have very similar climates, allowing Japanese plants to thrive here. Our Japanese Garden includes Japanese architecture and a beautiful stone lamp from Kagoshima, Japan. Haiku is rooted in kachou fuugetsu, the Japanese term for experiencing nature. The Atlanta Haiku Festival marries the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s connections to nature and Japanese culture through the art of haiku. Programs and Activities Visit the Garden during the month of April to engage in a variety of haiku-related activities and programs. From a haiku writing workshop, to ikebana lessons and a full day of festivities on April 18, there’s something for all ages, from seedlings, to budding and blooming haiku enthusiasts. VIEW PROGRAMS School Visit Guide Using the handout “Find Your Haiku Moment in the Garden,” take time to notice, observe, and connect with natural phenomena in the Garden. Talk with your students about their observations and anything they find surprising, interesting, or beautiful. download here Haiku Poetry Competition As part of the Atlanta Haiku Festival, you are invited to submit up to two original, unpublished haiku to our competition during the month of February. Winners will be announced on April 1 and their haiku will be posted online for the month and in the Garden. Participants may submit in one of three categories: Bonsai:…