The German team for the 1st Hortolympics in Räpina/Estonia comes from winery and hortocultural vocational school in Neustadt/Weinstraße (Rhineland- Palatinate). Alice and Phillipe were the lucky winners of a draw. After being nominated they have prepared themselves for this competition independently and very motivated for several weeks. The 20 disciplines are a big challenge for them, because these tasks cover all branches of horticulture. Horticultural apprentices in Germany have to specialize during their vocational training and either choose gardening and landscaping or floriculture or tree nursery or vegetable gardening or fruit gardening or gardening of perennial plants or even cemetery gardening… But all teachers and consultants at their school helped them a lot.
Phillipe B.: „I really look forward to this competition and to some interesting and exciting days in Estonia. I´m very interested in getting to know this country and its people. I´m really proud to represent my school and Germany in Räpina and promise to give my best.“
Alice H.: „I´m very keen to see, what will happen in Räpina. Since our nomination in the mid of January we have been worked very hard to prepare for the hortolympics. I´m getting more and more excited, but mostly in a positive way. I believe, that I will gain lots of experience during these days in Estonia and I really look forward to meet gardeners from all over Europe.
Gerd Alscher, NC EUROPEA Germany
