Master florists at Zwettl Abbey - a review from the perspective of OLD VIRTUES (LV4WW)

When craftsmanship becomes attitude, you can see it - and you can feel it. This is exactly the feeling that the master exhibition at the Academy for Natural Design at Zwettl Abbey once again evoked this year. Under the title "My friend the tree", each graduate of the master class for floristry and nature design worked with a tree assigned to them and developed their own floral presentation.

The result: deeply researched, poetic and brilliantly crafted "floral works of art" - supplemented by five additional test pieces per person (bridal jewelry, planting, mourning work, bouquet, vessel filling). The public presentation took place on September 6 and 7 in the historic Cistercian monastery - a weekend that once again showed how contagious mastery can be.

For OLD VIRTUES (LV4WW) , this exhibition is a lesson in applied work virtues: Reliability in execution, a sense of responsibility towards materials and nature, collegiality in team organization - and a sense of purpose that can be found in every detail. This is precisely where our EU project comes in: reviving "old work virtues", combining them with modern tools and thus strengthening the resilience of companies. 

Heidrun Bichler-Ripfel gave a short keynote speech on "Passion in the trades" and the importance of old virtues as part of the master craftsman's certificate ceremony. She made it clear that passion is more than just a spark - it is an attitude that combines heart, hand and brain and grows over the years. It was precisely this attitude that was visible in Zwettl: in the sustainable choice of materials, in the precise techniques and in the respectful handling of living materials. 

Why this counts for OLD VIRTUES

• Making virtues visible: The works show how values such as diligence, perseverance and team spirit are translated into concrete quality. 
• Carrying knowledge across generations: Masterful practice builds bridges - between tradition and innovation, between experienced practitioners and the next generation. 
• Creating meaning: The theme "My friend the tree" combines design with responsibility for natural resources - a core concern of our project. 

In conclusion, we are grateful to the Academy for Natural Design, to Zwettl Abbey for the dignified setting - and to a graduating class that has shown how "old virtues" can flourish in the present. Or, to put it in the Zwettl tradition: the public invitation was never just a showcase - it was always also a contribution to making the craft tangible in its depth.