To mark the blooming of tree and herbaceous peonies, the Chinese Garden at Montréal’s Jardin botanique presents the show Peony Celebration, a tribute to the fleeting beauty of nature and the enduring richness of culture. On Saturday, June 6, join us for a festive event inspired by the refined art of the qúnwòyàn (裙幄宴) of the Tang dynasty (618 to 907). Step into an immersive atmosphere where banquet, music, dance, décor and floral elegance evoke the charm of spring festivities of a bygone era. After the banquet, visit the Chinese Garden and meet figures from the Tang dynasty. Have a huadian (a peony-shaped ornament) applied to your forehead, sample peony flower tea, and learn about traditional Chinese calligraphy and painting. The peony: queen of flowers A symbol of nobility, prosperity and harmony, the peony—known as the “queen of flowers”—has held a place of honour in Chinese culture for centuries. Its petals reveal a world of refinement and spirituality, where nature reflects the human spirit. According to tradition, young women would gather in spring to admire the flowers and celebrate in garden settings. They would suspend their skirts to create an intimate, almost theatrical space. This elegant scene brought together art and nature, where music, dance, poetry and refined cuisine were shared. It is from this poetic image that the qúnwòyàn takes its name—a floral banquet in which skirts were used to create an intimate setting. Activity presented the cultural organism Tsingher.