Atlanta Haiku
Festival:
Moments in
a Garden

April 19, 2025: Celebrate the connection between art and nature through haiku during the inaugural Atlanta Haiku Festival at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.

Why haiku?

The Atlanta Haiku Festival marries the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s connections to nature and Japanese culture through the art of haiku.

The Atlanta Botanical Garden encourages guests to experience nature in many different ways: outdoor walks, gardening classes, plant-based cooking classes, botanical art, and more. Japanese plants and culture are a significant part of these experiences; the Garden features many Japanese plants, as Atlanta and Japan have very similar climates, allowing Japanese plants to thrive here. Our Japanese Garden includes Japanese architecture and a beautiful stone lamp from Kagoshima, Japan.

After all, haiku is rooted in kachou fuugetsu, the Japanese term for experiencing nature – the foundation of the Garden’s mission to connect people with plants.

About the Festival

The Garden comes alive with haiku-inspired activations on April 19, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. 

  • Haiku enthusiasts can listen to a panel of experts and hear the winning haiku from February’s competition read aloud.
  • Write your own haiku at a drop-in Haiku Workshop
  • Stroll the Garden on a self-guided haiku scavenger hunt.
  • Visit a Forest Bathing Discovery Station, or immerse your senses in the beauty of nature at Tea-themed Discovery Station.
  • Little ones can enjoy a special area where they can connect with haiku and nature through interactive stations.
  • Enjoy a special performance by the Atlanta Okinawa Kenjin-Kai taiko drum group
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Haiku Competition

Feb. 1 – 28: Writers of all ages from around the country are invited to submit up to two original and unpublished haiku to our competition. Winners receive admission to the festival on April 19, and their work will be read aloud and displayed in the Garden.

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“Hike-Ooh” Writing Workshop

April 5: Learn the foundations of haiku from author Sue Wasserman, then embark on an adventure of relaxation and creativity in the Garden. Register by April 1.

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Garden Playtime

Most Tuesdays in April: Celebrate the Garden’s first haiku festival with a themed month of Garden Playtime, the popular interactive program for the Garden’s youngest guests, ages 6 months – 5 years. Mimic natural textures in art, mix natural items with play dough, create a nature bookmark and more – free with Garden admission.

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Storybook Time

April 16, 10 and 10:45 a.m.: Little sprouts ages 1 – 4 years will love a special haiku-themed Storybook Time led by Ms. Ally – free with Garden admission. Littles will hear and engage with the ancient poetry form stemming from Japanese tradition that explores our relationship with nature.

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Ikebana Workshop

April 23: Learn the techniques and philosophy behind the Japanese art of flower arrangement from expert Terry Furuta. Create a beautiful arrangement to take home.

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