Park-goers in Germany's capital Berlin were treated this past weekend to stunning pink cherry blossoms, as the Gärten der Welt (Gardens of the World) hosted its annual Cherry Blossom Festival.
Many visitors snapped photos with the iconic blossoms, while the park offered a range of programmes across its Japanese, Chinese, and Korean gardens. Activities included dance and music performances, arts and crafts, and a variety of culinary experiences.
As previous years, numerous fans of cosplay also showcased their manga costumes while promenading around the park.
Beyond the cherry blossoms, Berlin also highlights its wider array of spring blooms through its “Spring Map,” which shows visitors where to find not only the cherry trees but also other seasonal flowers and blossoming trees.
Cherry blossoms, which bloom for only a few days each spring, are not native to Germany. They were gifted to the country by Japan in the 1990s following the fall of the Berlin Wall and reunification of the country. In Japan, the cherry blossom sybmolizes transcience and new beginnings.
Thousands of trees were donated, of which a large portion were sent to Berlin. While a majority of the cherry blossoms are in the capital, they are not exclusive to the city and can be found all across Germany.
In Bonn, rows of cherry blossoms create a canopy along a famous avenue that draws visitors from around the world each year. And in Hannover, which is Hiroshima's sister city, numerous cherry blossoms bloom each spring.
