Portuguese Bonsai Congress

Centro de Artes de Águeda

Demonstrations

Chiharu Imai (JP)

Theo J. Zimmer (DE)

21 & 22

November

2026

Free Entry

Guest artists

Luis Vallejo

Jorge Campos

Bonsai with a twisted trunk in a brown pot on a wooden table
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2Masters demonstrating 4Talks 1Contest 2Days of bonsai

Centro de Artes de Águeda

Programme

21 NovSaturday

  1. Opening session Auditorium

  2. Exhibition opening

  3. Demonstrations Auditorium

    Chiharu Imai (JP) • Theo J. Zimmer (DE)

    An interactive demonstration Café Concerto

    Creating an Ishitsuki

    Carlos Brandão (Dragaosai Gardens)

  4. Talks Café Concerto

    Beyond physiology: the bonsai as a physical body subject to the laws of thermodynamics

    João Constantino (Canna.biz)

    The aesthetic dimension of bonsai

    Márcio Meruje (Kensho Bonsai Studio)

  5. Demonstrations Auditorium

    Chiharu Imai (JP) • Theo J. Zimmer (DE)

  6. New Talents Contest Hall – Floor 1

  7. Exhibition closes

    Reopens on Sunday

  8. Social dinner

    Awards ceremony

22 NovSunday

  1. Federation / Members' Assembly Café Concerto

  2. Demonstrations Auditorium

    Chiharu Imai (JP) • Theo J. Zimmer (DE)

  3. Talks Café Concerto

    At the origins of bonsai: lessons from Japan

    Ivo Santos (Bonsaiteca)

    Nutrition and biostimulation applied to bonsai

    Jorge Silva (Luso Bonsai)

  4. Demonstrations Auditorium

    Chiharu Imai (JP) • Theo J. Zimmer (DE)

  5. Clubs/Professionals Area Café Concerto

    Bring your bonsai

  6. Closing

Download programme (in Portuguese)

Saturday 21 & Sunday 22

Demonstrations

Chiharu Imai styling a pine during a demonstration

Sat 21 · 10:00–13:00 · 14:00–17:00
Sun 22 · 10:00–13:00 · 14:00–16:00 · Auditorium

Chiharu Imai

Japan

Theo J. Zimmer beside a juniper bonsai

Sat 21 · 10:00–13:00 · 14:00–17:00
Sun 22 · 10:00–13:00 · 14:00–16:00 · Auditorium

Theo J. Zimmer

Germany

Carlos Brandão wiring a juniper bonsai in his workshop

Sat 21 · 10:00–13:00 · Café Concerto

Creating an Ishitsuki

Carlos Brandão Dragaosai Gardens

Exhibition

Guest artists

Luis Vallejo and Jorge Campos show trees from their own collections in a special section of the exhibition.

Luis Vallejo between two bonsai
Luis Vallejo
Jorge Campos beside a juniper bonsai planted on stone
Jorge Campos

Café Concerto

Talks

Sat 21 · 15:00–17:00

Beyond physiology: the bonsai as a physical body subject to the laws of thermodynamics

João Constantino Canna.biz

Sat 21 · 15:00–17:00

The aesthetic dimension of bonsai

Márcio Meruje Kensho Bonsai Studio

Sun 22 · 11:00–13:00

At the origins of bonsai: lessons from Japan

Ivo Santos Bonsaiteca

Sun 22 · 11:00–13:00

Nutrition and biostimulation applied to bonsai

Jorge Silva Luso Bonsai

Saturday 21 & Sunday 22

Workshops

Crafts that share bonsai's patience, gesture and respect for the material. Try them with your own hands.

Raku Workshop poster with Miguel Neto: crackled raku ceramic bowls with turquoise and red glazes; Saturday 21 November, 14:00–19:00

Sat 21 · 14:00–19:00

Raku

Miguel Neto Miguel Neto Ceramics

In this workshop with Miguel Neto, we will explore the Raku technique, from glaze decoration through to firing, discovering the unique effects that result from the action of fire.

Each participant will have the chance to decorate two pieces and follow the firing process up close, in a hands-on experience where transformation and unpredictability are part of the result.

Kintsugi Workshop poster with Filipa Correia (Junta Cacos): blue bonsai pot repaired with golden lines; Sunday 22 November, 10:30–12:00

Sun 22 · 10:30–12:00

Kintsugi

Filipa Correia Junta Cacos

A workshop dedicated to modern Kintsugi, an approach to ceramic repair that values the marks of breakage and turns each piece into something unique.

Each participant will have the chance to restore a broken ceramic piece. An experience that celebrates the beauty of imperfection and the possibility of giving each piece a new life.

Prior registration is required for the workshops, as places are limited.

Register for the workshops →

Saturday 21 & Sunday 22

Activities

Live Tattoo Experience poster with Bárbara Campos (Blooma): fine line flower tattoos; Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November, 10:00–17:00

Sat 21 & Sun 22 · 10:00–17:00

Live Tattoo Experience

Bárbara Campos Blooma

Live tattooing throughout both days of the congress, in fine, delicate botanical linework — flowers, leaves and branches. A way to carry nature with you, on your skin.

Exhibition · Saturday 21 & Sunday 22

Exhibit your tree

Would you like to show your tree at the exhibition? Fill in the application form and send the requested information and photographs.

Submitting does not guarantee your tree will be selected. All applications will be reviewed by the organisers, who will then inform participants of their decision.

Submit application →

Hall – Floor 1 · Saturday 21 · 14:00–18:00

New Talents Contest

A stage for the new generation of Portuguese bonsai to show their work.

Just starting out in bonsai, or have you been working on your trees for a while? This is your chance to show what you can do, learn from the best and share your passion with the community. Don't miss out — sign up!

Enter the contest →

Saturday 21 · 20:00

Congress Dinner

End the first day of the congress around the table, at a social dinner bringing together artists, clubs, exhibitors and bonsai lovers from all over the country. The New Talents Contest awards will be presented during the dinner.

Prior registration is required for the dinner, as places are limited. After registering, the organisers will contact you to confirm your booking.

Book the dinner →

Centro de Artes de Águeda

Auditorium · Café Concerto · Hall – Floor 1
21 and 22 November 2026
Free Entry

Open in Maps

Federação Bonsai Portugal

The Federação Bonsai Portugal has been founded, bringing together bonsai clubs, professionals and enthusiasts from across the country. Join us and help bonsai grow in Portugal.

Become a member →
Poster for the Portuguese Bonsai Congress 2026