Alicante Hosts Inaugural City Bonsai Competition With 35 Entries From Across Spain

Thirty-five bonsai compositions from six Spanish provinces filled the Espacio Séneca venue in Alicante last weekend as the city staged its inaugural I Certamen de Bonsái Ciudad de Alicante, running Friday through Sunday, March 13–15, 2026. Entry was free, and the event drew enthusiasts and professionals from as far afield as Almería, Toledo, Madrid, Valencia, and Castellón alongside local Alicante contributors.

The competition was organised by the Alicante Bonsai Club in partnership with the Alicante City Council's Departments of Environment and Culture, and featured both exhibition and sales stands. The calibre of the material on display was notable: according to reporting by Diario de Alicante, many of the pieces have won national and international awards, including first prizes at what it described as "the most prestigious exhibition outside of Japan, held annually in Belgium: the 'Trophy.'" Which specific trees claimed those honours, and the precise identity of the Belgium event, were not confirmed in available sources.

Mayor Luis Barcala attended the opening ceremony alongside councilor for the Environment Manuel Villar and councilor for Culture Nayma Beldjilali. Barcala told attendees that "fans of this ancient art of miniature tree cultivation have an opportunity to see some of the finest specimens in the country right here in the city," and framed the competition's ambitions plainly: "This event aims to become a key date on the national bonsai calendar and a meeting point for art, nature, and the community." He also announced the City Council's support for the competition's continued success in future years.

The organisers have been explicit about wanting to establish this as an annual fixture, positioning it as a gathering point for both working practitioners and collectors. For a discipline that demands the kind of long-term commitment bonsai requires, having municipal backing and a dedicated venue from the first edition is a meaningful foundation. The combination of exhibition and commercial stands also signals intent: this is not just a display event but a marketplace where the broader bonsai community can transact.

The Alicante Bonsai Club is credited with the event's photography, which gives some indication of how closely the Club managed the competition's presentation and identity throughout the weekend.