Gardens

In this paper I introduce my new project in philosophical practice and community philosophy called garden philosophy or philosophy in the garden. In many senses, this is very similar to the usual philosophical café, but organized in a community garden, in this case at downtown Budapest. The garden, and especially an urban community garden, as a complex multispecies community, provides not only a good environment for philosophical conversations, but a strong philosophical foundation, a metaphysics of community philosophy practices, a model and a metaphor, based on the interconnectedness of minds. The garden philosophy, a modern version of Epicurus' philosophical practice, thus connects new insights on the world of plants, the entanglements of various life forms, community philosophy and the long tradition of philosophy as a way of life.

Les végétaux - sous forme de graines, de fruits, de plants - ont de tous temps voyagé au gré des circulations des différents collectifs du vivant, parmi lesquels les sociétés humaines. La dissémination des végétaux autour du monde par les humains a souvent accompagné les conquêtes - militaires, religieuses, économiques et à visées coloniales. Elle a même souvent été encouragée par des politiques d'accaparement des savoirs et des savoir-faire techniques, à l'exemple de celles qui sont à l'origine des grandes explorations naturalistes réalisées par les puissances coloniales. Les sociétés d'accueil de ces végétaux se les sont appropriés et ont créé, à leur tour, de nouveaux discours, et mis au point de nouvelles techniques pour les façonner à leur image. De fait, les patrimoines culinaires et paysagers que nous connaissons aujourd'hui sont le résultat de ces circulations végétales intensives. Cette mise en ordre du monde végétal par les sociétés d'accueil s'est accompagnée d'un traitement cognitif des Autres et des Ailleurs, c'est-à-dire de production d'altérités.

Ce colloque propose de poser un regard sur quelques trajectoires de végétaux et les altérités qu'elles construisent, pour les mettre en perspective avec les débats actuels sur les grands enjeux migratoires et écologiques contemporains. A l'heure des dérèglements climatiques, des pandémies, de l'afflux toujours plus important de migrants et d'un mouvement de contraction des circulations à l'échelle globale ; associé à une augmentation des restrictions aux frontières, de nouveaux discours sur l'altérité émergent. Parmi ceux-ci,  la question de l'identité et du statut des plantes s'impose à nous de façon évidente.

Lors de ce colloque, nous proposerons une réflexion en deux temps : le premier jour, nous mettrons en lumière la façon dont la circulation des végétaux et la construction de l'altérité se donnent à voir dans nos sociétés, à l'ère de l'anthropocène, où les plantes sont considérées comme des objets ou de simples marchandises que les humains peuvent déplacer et dont ils peuvent disposer.
Le second jour, nous inverserons la perspective, pour proposer un regard et une base de réflexion sur la façon dont les végétaux peuvent être les sujets et les acteurs des processus migratoires et écologiques actuels.

Ces deux journées seront rythmées par les présentations des membres de l'équipe et des discussions sous forme de table-ronde, avec des invités externes, spécialistes des thèmes abordés. Des projections vidéos viendront ponctuer la programmation.

The purpose of this essay consists in reading Thomas Browne’s treatise The Garden of Cyrus, published in 1658, with a specific attention to the role of the figure of the garden, aiming at circumscribing what, in the comprehensive account of Browne’s philosophy of nature, can be con- sidered as the elaboration of an original philosophy of garden. In the first part, we will introduce the main topics of the treatise from a nar- rative, historical and conceptual point of view, with a focus on the idea of quincunx. We will proceed analysing the Garden from the perspec- tive of the architecture of the text itself, showing how Browne traces a correspondence between form and philosophical content. The last part will be precisely focusing on the figure of the garden, considered both as a methodological resource and as a relevant philosophical concept. In this last regard, the circumscription of Browne’s philosophy of garden will move from a direct reading of the text to the comparison with specific instances and concepts belonging to contemporary thought.

L'étude historique des exèdres du jardin des Tuileries a été réalisée par Anne Allimant-Verdillon (CRBA), sur demande de Denis Dodeman (ACMH), dans le cadre du projet de restauration des exèdres du jardin des Tuileries.

Cette étude met en lumière les exèdres des Tuileries, seuls jardins "révolutionnaires" encore en place de nos jours en France.

A árvore de Ramon, também conhecida como Brosimum alicastrum, é uma árvore de grande porte pertencente à família Moraceae, originária da Mesoamérica e das Caraíbas. A árvore está amplamente distribuída no México, desde as florestas tropicais do sul até às costas do Pacífico e do Golfo, e é capaz de se desenvolver em condições de baixa humidade. Os Maias cultivavam a árvore de Ramon para utilizar as suas sementes como alimento na sua dieta, e estas árvores ainda podem ser encontradas perto de sítios arqueológicos Maias. Atualmente, a árvore de Ramon é considerada uma planta pouco explorada com elevado potencial económico. As sementes da árvore de Ramon são utilizadas para fazer bebidas e alimentos como tortilhas ou pão. A composição nutricional das sementes de Ramon ainda está a ser investigada, mas sabe-se que contêm proteínas, gordura, fibra bruta e minerais como o cobre, o potássio, o ferro e o zinco. A farinha de semente de Ramão apresenta um teor mais elevado de compostos fenólicos e de atividade antioxidante do que a farinha de milho, o que evidencia o seu potencial como substituto ou complemento na formulação de produtos alimentares. A presença de compostos como o ácido p-hidroxibenzóico, o ácido gálico, o ácido clorogénico e o ácido vanílico contribui para as suas propriedades benéficas, e a sua capacidade de funcionar como ingrediente funcional abre novas possibilidades na indústria alimentar e de suplementos nutricionais.

The first General Horticultural Exhibition in Warsaw was open at the Swiss Valley garden on 21 September 1881. Countess Aleksandra Potocka [1] and her chief horticulturists, Stanisław Górski of Wilanów and Aleksander Pajączkowski of Natolin, also attended the many competitions …
An illustrated version of the article is available in the "Passage to Knowledge" of the Museum of King Jan III's Palace at Wilanów: https://www.wilanow-palac.pl/general_horticultural_exhibition_21_september_1881.html

The flower exhibition held by August [1] and Aleksandra Potocki [2] from 19 to 21 May 1853 was an exceptionally dramatic show of Wilanów’s botanical wealth. Just as the year before, it was designed under the direction of Inspector of …
An illustrated version of the article is available in the "Passage to Knowledge" of the Museum of King Jan III's Palace at Wilanów: https://www.wilanow-palac.pl/flower_exhibition_in_wilanow_19_21_may_1853.html

Early 18th century was a time of rapid growth for the Wilanów exotic plant collection. The Wilanów owner at the time, Cracow castellaness Elżbieta Sieniawska [1], financed the reconstruction of the orangery into a brick-walled structure designed by Giovanni Spazzio …
An illustrated version of the article is available in the "Passage to Knowledge" of the Museum of King Jan III's Palace at Wilanów: https://www.wilanow-palac.pl/elzbieta_sieniawska_s_wilanow_exotic_plant_collection_in_1729.html

Pierwsza wystawa roślin w wilanowskiej oranżerii odbyła się między 17 a 19 maja 1852 roku z inicjatywy Augusta i Aleksandry Potockich, pod kierownictwem inspektora ogrodów Franciszka Peldy. Inaugurowała ona budowę wodociągów zaprojektowanych przez berlińskiego inżyniera Theodora Schramkego. Dzięki cytowanym niżej …
Ilustrowana wersja artykułu dostępna w „Pasażu Wiedzy” Muzeum Pałacu Króla Jana III w Wilanowie: https://www.wilanow-palac.pl/wystawa_roslin_w_wilanowskiej_oranzerii_17_19_maja_1852_r.html

The European Route of Historic Gardens (ERHG) is a thriving organisation certified as a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe, established in 2016 on the initiative of the municipalities of Lloret de Mar and Aranjuez, and the University of Barcelona. Currently, it brings together 37 green complexes from eight countries, five institutional partners, and three independent collaborators. The Museum of King Jan III’s Palace at Wilanów was officially accepted as a member in 2017. The aim of the Communication is to summarise the last five years of the institution’s activity in the fields of promotion, education, and science. This is the first report covering available literature, online publications, unpublished materials, as well as the authors’ personal experiences. The results present important information about the Museum’s activities carried out within the framework of European forums and days of historic gardens, including the representation in ERHG structures, lectures given, educational and promotional materials developed, as well as special events conducted. Important contribution was also brought through scientific projects ‘Citri et Aurea’ and studies on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, both carried out within the framework of the Museum’s partnership with ERHG members and scientific institutions. The results show the strong commitment of the Museum to the development of ERHG activities, as well as the strengthening of international cooperation in the field of historic gardens.

In situ phytoremediation of dyes from textile wastewater was carried out in a high rate transpiration system ridges (91.4 m × 1.0 m) cultivated independently with Tagetes patula, Aster amellus, Portulaca grandiflora and Gaillardia grandiflora which reduced American Dye Manufacturers Institute color value by 59, 50, 46 and 73%, respectively within 30 d compared to dye accumulated in unplanted ridges. Significant increase in microbial count and electric conductivity of soil was observed during phytoremediation. Reduction in the contents of macro (N, P, K and C), micro (B, Cu, Fe and Mn) elements and heavy metals (Cd, As, Pb and Cr) was observed in the soil from planted ridges due to phyto-treatment. Root tissues of these plants showed significant increase in the specific activities of oxido-reductive enzymes such as lignin peroxidase, laccase, veratryl alcohol oxidase, tyrosinase and azo reductase during decolorization of textile dyes from soil. Anatomical studies of plants roots reve...

Jestem historykiem architektury i procesów rozwojowych miast. Pracuję naukowo w Instytucie Interdyscyplinarnych Badań Historycznych Uniwersytetu Kaliskiego im. Prezydenta Stanisława Wojciechowskiego, działam także w Kaliskim Towarzystwie Przyjaciół Nauk i Stowarzyszeniu Historyków Sztuki. Od lat moją naukową pasją są dzieje polskich miastwiększych i mniejszych: Warszawy, Kalisza czy Turku. Badania historyczne staram się łączyć z ich praktycznymi zastosowaniami (np. przy rewitalizacji czy promocji turystyki). Poniżej znajdą Państwo prezentację mojej działalności naukowej i popularyzatorskiej: przedstawienie badań, publikacji, wystąpień, ważniejszych działań, które dotąd z sukcesem przeprowadziłem. Dzieje budowania i rozwoju miast na ziemiach polskich w XIX i XX wiekuw czasie kluczowym dla naszej obecnej cywilizacji-są moją pasją, podobnie jak wykładanie, mówienie o przeszłości, spotkania z publicznością oraz Czytelniczkami i Czytelnikami. Badanie przeszłości, aby lepiej zrozumieć teraźniejszość, codzienność-daje mi energię, której pozytywnym wyrazem są zrealizowane przeze mnie badania, publikacje, a także-rekomendacje i opinie o mojej pracy, które również znajdziecie Państwo poniżej.

Decentralized composting has been proposed as a best available practice, with a highly positive impact on municipal solid wastes management plans. However, in cold climates, decentralized small-scale composting performance to reach thermophilic temperatures (required for the product sanitization) could be poor, due to a lack of critical mass to retain heat. In addition, in these systems the composting process is usually disturbed when new portions of fresh organic waste are combined with previous batches. This causes modifications in the well-known composting evolution pattern. The objective of this work was to improve the understanding of these technical aspects through a real-scale decentralized composting experience carried out under cold climate conditions, in order to assess sanitization performance and to study the effects of fresh feedstock additions in the process evolution. Kitchen and garden organic wastes were composted in 500 L-static compost bins (without turning) for 2...

The objective of this work was to evaluate the changes in the physicochemical properties of different species of edible flowers in the postharvest period. Flowers of Viola cornuta (light or dark colored), Viola tricolor, Antirrhinum majus, Dianthus chinensis, and Tagetes patula were selected, packed, and placed in a cold chamber of the BOD type, at 5±1°C and 90–95% relative humidity. Every two days, fresh weight loss, visual quality using a scale score, and total longevity were evaluated. The total soluble solids (SS) content, titratable acidity (TA), the SS/TA ratio, and pH were also evaluated at the time of harvest and at the end of postharvest life. There was a significant increase in the SS contents of light-colored V. cornuta, V. tricolor, and D. chinensis. A significant reduction in TA was observed in light-colored V. cornuta, V. tricolor, A. majus, and D. chinensis at the end of postharvest life. The pH value increased significantly only in T. patula flowers. The studied spec...

The conventional downdraft gasifier, when used with garden waste pellets (ash ∼10%) as feedstock, exhibits formation of clinker due to hardening of softened ash, which results in discontinuous flame and intermittent operation. The design and operation protocol of the gasifier was appropriately modified to circumvent this problem. The effects of parameters such as grate movement, equivalence ratio (ER), and ratio of air entering at combustion and drying zones (split ratio) were systematically studied to maximize the lower heating value (LHV) of gas and minimize the amount of clinker. The grate movement of once in 20 min, ER of 0.32, and air split ratio of 0:100 together proved to be the best for garden waste pellets. The producer gas LHV and cold gas efficiency were 3.59 MJ/Nm and 62.61%, respectively, and comparable to the producer gas obtained from other biomass resources such as rice husk, wheat straw, and cotton stalks.

Ic mekanin sahip olabilecegi bir olcege ve yogunluga sahip olan kapali bahceler hizla buyuyen ve kalabaliklasan kentlerde insan ve gokyuzu arasinda kurdugu dogrudan iliski acisindan kent mimarisinde giderek daha fazla onem kazanmaktadir. Paris'in tarihi kentsel dokusu icinde kendine hatiri sayilir bir yer bulan mimar Jean Nouvel'in Cartier Binasi bu calismada mimari, peyzaj ve bahce tasariminin birlikte var ettigi mikrokosme'yi desifre etmeyi olanakli kilmistir. Cam cephenin arkasinda kalan bahcesi ve bulvar sinirindan iceriye cekilmis seffaf celik yapisi ile yogun ve surekli yapili cevreye peyzajdaki acikligi getiren, maddesel gercekligi ve ayni zamanda seffafligi barindiran, strukturel estetigi ile kendini sergileyen, cephesinde hayati ve icerdeki bahceyi ve yanilsamalarini okuyabildigimiz cok katmanli bir mimari ornektir. Maddesel form, mekansal form, gorsel yapi ve niyetin ic ice gectigi ve birbirinden beslendigi cok katmanli mimarinin insasi kentin mimarligi, peyzaj...

In this paper I considered two fragments of the Geryoneis of Stesichorus and its descriptions of the Western landscape, by relating it to archeological evidence but also to paleobotanical studies. The Himerian poet described carefully Tartessian area, and it is well-known that at least since the VIII century B.C. the Mediterranean was crossed by traders, explorers, and also itinerant rhapsodes. It is very likely that Stesichorus had a more realistic knowledge of these place than his predecessors. My aim is of restoring the importance of landscape in order to have a new view of the ancient poetry and of its natural descriptions.

Garden histories since the mid 1990s have increasingly turned to studies of vernacular gardens as sites of identity formation. More recently, the development of environmental history and specifically urban environmental history has started to show how vernacular gardening in suburban and urban spaces has contributed to changes in urban environments. Relatively little work on home gardening history in this sense has been undertaken in the New Zealand context, while in Australia such work is well underway. This study augments knowledge of home gardening history in New Zealand by focussing on one urban area, Christchurch, known both as the ‘Garden City’ and as ‘one of the most English cities outside of England’. An examination of gardening literature over the period from European colonisation in 1850 to the first visit to the city by a reigning monarch in 1954 highlights changes in gardening tropes rather than particular garden fashions or elements. The four principal tropes of abundan...

The island of Barbuda has a relatively unique history, land tenure and geography. Unlike its Caribbean counterparts, the island is not suited to large-scale agriculture due to its arid climate and relatively thin soils. Instead, the enslaved and eventually free people of Barbuda developed a complex herding ecology centered on common land ownership. As a result, carefully designed historic wells are strategically located around the island. With the challenges brought about by climate change, an interdisciplinary, international team led by the Barbuda Research Complex is investigating the state of existing water and food resources and examining how the availability and quality of water resources have influenced local cultural practices. Barbudans and international scientists are working together to improve their resilience and live more sustainably in this new era of climatic adversity.

Unlike the French, Italians - especially the younger crowd - adore English words. They salt and pepper and ketchup their everyday conversations with as many foreign words as possible. They aren't too keen on tricky languages (I seldom hear a word of Greek, Japanese, or Arabic), but they do have a penchant for English. Blame pop music, Hollywood movies, trash TV, Netflix, or whatever you want. Perhaps it is their government's fault because it hasn't yet outlawed linguistic threats to the purity of their culture. Nowadays Italians enjoy a juicy"am-BUR-ger" but just as often eat the cardboard ones from fast food joints. Nobody here has difficulty with words like weekend and computer.

In this interview, Natasha Myers discusses her understanding of plants and the relational stories they tell. As a scholar, activist, and artist based in Toronto, Canada, Myers proposes ways to detune Western norms and forms of sense-making, to expand our sensorium, and participate with plants in the stories they tell. Calling out the colonial violence, racial injustice, and neo-Darwinism that are lurking within the stories people still tell about plants, Myers invites us to explore ways of sensing plants that can cultivate human-plant kinship, and open us up to an experience of the creativity of plant life.

Space and time are existential phenomena that constitute the two fundamental planes of existence. The fact that the notion of space is met with the word "mekân", which derives from the root of “kevn” (existence) in Turkish, indicates an important link between space and existence in Ottoman culture. The relationship between space and human beings is twofold. While humans transform the space they live in, space shapes human life. Spaces produced, inherited, or naturally inhabited by humans acquire a semantic field within culture. Therefore, a place may have cultural codes that may seem foreign to outsiders. For the Ottoman culture, which today has no living members and has limited data in terms of social history, these cultural codes can be analyzed by examining literary texts.
The perception of space is influenced by and reflects the philosophical and religious background of the culture. In Ottoman culture, existence is not seen as a value. The idea of wahdat/unity, which everything reflects the divine being, is widespread. Accordingly, space acquires an important symbolic indicator function. Every element in the garden has a symbolic meaning. For example, gardens are seen as a copy of "cennet" (paradise), which means a hidden/protected garden and the rose signifies Muhammad, and the tulip signifies the unity of God.
The garden also reflects the aesthetic perception of Ottoman culture. A beautiful Ottoman individual is a garden in its entirety, as every part of it resembles a plant. Unorganized wilderness or dilapidated buildings in disrepair are unaesthetic. This situation can be read as indicators of the Ottoman civil-city (medeni-medine) relationship and the patronage relations of Ottoman poetry. Finally, the garden can also mirror social relationships through the personification of plants.

Gardens and parks have long been cherished spaces where
nature and human creativity intertwine. This article embarks
on a captivating journey through the history, types,
education, and artistic expressions of these remarkable
outdoor sanctuaries. We delve into the origins of gardens,
explore the diverse styles and designs that have evolved
from time to time, and appreciate the artistic elements that
make them truly enchanting. Join us as we unravel the
secrets and unveil the beauty of these green oases that have
captivated the human imagination for centuries.