Visit the first European KOI & BONSAI SHOW
KOI & BONSAI SHOW
May 24th to 26th, 2024.
Visit the KOI & BONSAI SHOW from May 24th to 26th, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM at Family Mall (Ul. Velimira Škorpika 11b, Zagreb – Pavilion 2).
As part of the rich program, you will have the opportunity to view numerous types of koi carp, enjoy an exhibition of miniature bonsai trees, and participate in interesting workshops that will bring you closer to Japanese culture
Have fun and learn something new about Japanese culture at our exciting workshops. Learn to create bonsai yourself or buy a ready-made miniature tree to adorn your living space. Learn to play the ancient Japanese game of GO!, get acquainted with the martial art of Aikido, Japanese archery, and learn more about the Japanese art of paper folding, origami. Peek into the world of ancient samurais at the kendo workshop or unleash your creativity at the calligraphy workshop.
On Saturday at 6:00 PM, visit an interesting educational lecture titled ‘Fundamentals of Koi Carp Health,’ which will be held by Professor Josip Barišić, PhD, DVM, head of the fish disease diagnostics laboratory in Scotland. Learn all about the ideal living conditions for Koi carp, proper disease prevention, rapid recognition of symptoms, and treatment methods that are important for the survival, longevity, and preservation of the beauty of these fascinating fish. Koi carp require attention and care from owners and breeders to remain healthy and live long in a pond or garden pond.
To participate in the workshops, sign up HERE (available soon).
This event is ideal for visitors of all ages, families with children, nature and animal lovers. We have prepared a rich selection of plants and equipment for ponds and aquariums, koi food, and much more for you.
Get to know the Japanese fish of happiness, which are symbols of love and friendship in Japan and are also known as ‘swimming diamonds’. Their spiritual significance transcends the boundaries of all nations, and it is interesting that koi fish are recognized as a universal symbol of peace worldwide. In Japan, they are a national symbol and a sign of love and friendship, closely associated with the Japanese cultural identity.
People all around the world are fascinated by their vibrant colors, and there are records that koi carp were bred by inhabitants of mountainous regions in Japan as early as the 14th and 15th centuries to sustain themselves in difficult living conditions. At that time, koi fish did not have specific color patterns and were mostly brown. One farmer noticed an orange spot on the back of his koi fish and decided to continue breeding them solely for their colors. As the years passed, koi carp changed, becoming more beautiful and interesting through crossbreeding. They were used less for food and more as precious decorations or pets. Breeding them for color became an increasingly popular hobby.
These exceptional fish are loved by people all around the world, and a tattoo of two koi fish has become a trend, with people believing it brings luck. Each koi carp is unique and distinguished by its body shape, head, fins, as well as its colors and patterns, which can be orange, yellow, white, red, black, silver, or gold. They are bred in lakes and ponds and often live in modern urban fountains as well. The most beautiful specimens impress with their graceful colors and torpedo-shaped body patterns. Many enthusiasts and breeders gather at annual koi fish competitions to showcase their most prized specimens. Their price depends on many factors – from body shape, color, skin, and shell quality, and can reach hundreds of thousands, or even over a million dollars.
Breeding koi carp in a backyard or aquarium
Koi live in completely clean water and require very specific living conditions. At the KOI & BONSAI SHOW, find out how to build an ecosystem suitable for breeding Koi Carp in your backyard or aquarium, what to watch out for, how often to filter the water, and what concentration of oxygen, acidity level, and water temperature is needed for successful maintenance of these truly enchanting creatures.
The Legend of the Waterfall
There is a belief that koi carp have gained a mythical and almost spiritual status because of the legend of the Waterfall of Lore. In this ancient tale, a large school of golden koi fish set out to swim upstream in the Chinese Yellow River. When they reached the very end of the river, they faced an impressive waterfall. Most of them turned back, swept away by the current. A few of the most persistent ones tirelessly leaped in vain attempts to conquer the cascade of the waterfall. Their perseverance caught the attention of evil demons who further heightened the waterfall. After a hundred years of relentless efforts, one lonely koi managed to reach the very top of the waterfall. Recognizing his perseverance, the gods, to reward him, transformed him into a golden dragon symbolizing exceptional power and strength.
Interesting facts about koi carp:
– There is a belief that koi carp brings luck to those who receive it as a gift
– In Japan, they are often part of wills and passed down from generation to generation
– Many koi fish have outlived their owners
– The word “koi” originates from the Japanese word for “carp”
– Their lifespan ranges from 30 to 50 years, and there is a record of one individual called “Hanako” living over 220 years in Japan
– Koi carp are very sociable, they can eat from your hand and recognize their owner’s voice
– They eat both animal and plant-based food, with a preference for worms and insect larvae
– Koi carp enter a state of dormancy known as “winter sleep” during the winter months
– The largest koi carp on record was about one and a half meters long and weighed around 45 kilograms
BONSAI EXHIBITION
Visit the international exhibition of miniature trees featuring growers from Croatia, Italy, and Slovenia. The exhibition will be open for viewing during all three days of the KOI & BONSAI SHOW at Family Mall from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
The art of cultivating miniature trees, much like the breeding of koi carp, originates from China and Japan, from where it has spread worldwide. As part of our bonsai exhibition, discover the secrets of growing bonsai trees and learn about the process of their creation and growth. If you’re interested in how to care for them, whether they can be grown indoors, and how much the artistic talent of the grower influences their appearance, be sure to visit the Bonsai Workshop “Create Your Bonsai,” for which you can register HERE (available soon).
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