ArteeCraft will lead you through the steps to make your very own flower garland, made from paper marigolds.

Flower garlands have been used in many cultures across the world as symbols of respect, purity, beauty, peace, love and passion. Flowers, leaves and foliage, skillfully threaded into garlands, have been worn as adornments or hung as decorations since ancient times.

In India, flower garlands are not only used to adorn gods and individuals but also roads, houses, palaces, and even cities. On auspicious occasions, the door frame of the home entrance is decorated with torana (garlands made of flowers and leaves) as a symbol of welcome.

Welcoming guests with a high degree of hospitality is deep-rooted in the Indian values. Considering that the tradition of welcoming guests is based on the ancient Indian dictum “Atithi Devo bhava” that translates to “may the guest be a god unto you”; it is only apt that, like the gods, the guests are also welcomed with garlands as a symbol of good will and honour.
Marigolds are often used to make the garlands, however as these are less commonly found in the UK than India, ArteeCraft will teach you the techniques to make them out of paper.

ArteeCraft is a traditional art-based organisation with a team of 6 artists. At the National Festival of Making they are bringing three traditional South Asian heritage arts workshops for participants. Check out the rest of the programme to see what other workshops they’re running over the festival weekend.