WHO IS RÓBERT BARTOLEN?

ABOUT RÓBERT BARTOLEN

Róbert Bartolen is an internationally acclaimed Slovak floral designer, curator, and educator whose work transcends the boundaries of mere craft, defining a new era of floral art. Based in Nitra, Slovakia, his journey with floristry began in childhood, inspired by his grandparents' deep connection to nature. The identity of Slovak flora remains a central theme in his aesthetic language, interwoven with architecture, narrative design, and emotional symbolism.

At just 19, Róbert began lecturing at the university level, quickly becoming a sought-after mentor, coach, and later an international trendsetter in floral design. His innovative concepts have shaped the direction of floristry across continents, and his publications are followed in over 80 countries.

In 2019, he was named Floral Designer of the Year by Fusion Flowers Magazine, recognising his conceptual contributions and visual approach to floristry as both art and medium. His exceptional abilities and the trust placed in him were further underscored when he served as Head Florist during Pope Francis' historic visit to Slovakia in 2021.

Róbert's signature style is defined by vibrant colour palettes, multi-genre versatility, and bold integration of new and modern technologies. He emphasises the purity of lines and materials, working with novel, unconventional resources and juxtaposing them with the organic character of nature. This synergy of innovation and natural elements results in unique, visually captivating works that redefine floristry as conceptual art.

INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS & ARTISTIC DIRECTION

Róbert is the author and artistic director of multiple long-term creative platforms, including:

  • The Future of Floristry – a forward-looking project exploring emerging techniques, technologies, and narrative forms in floral design. First presented at the Europa Cup in Katowice.

  • Floristry as Art – a series of high-level masterclass workshops (Slovakia, Spain, Mexico) dedicated to positioning floristry in the context of contemporary visual culture and installation design.

From 2023 to 2025, he has led over 30 workshops and seminars across Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East, including:

  • Bouquet as an Art (Barcelona, Valencia, Brno, Nitra, Mexico City)

  • Wreath as an Art, Table as an Art, and Floristry as Performance

  • Bohemian Rainbow Tour (Romania, Spain, Czech Republic, Mexico)

  • Ramos del Futuro (Valencia)

  • Strategies for Your Successful Business – Tour 2025 (Slovakia, Spain)

  • Full-production experiences in Mexico City, Querétaro, and Monterrey

He is also an active private coach for leading floristry companies in the United Arab Emirates, supporting the creative direction of floral décor in palaces, hotels, and luxury events.

LATEST MAJOR WORK: PARALLEL FLOWERS – FLORA OLOMOUC 2025

In April 2025, Róbert served as Creative Director and Chief Designer of the central exhibition at Flora Olomouc 2025, the Czech Republic's leading international garden fair, attracting over 70,000 visitors. His concept, Parallel Flowers, transformed Pavilion A (1600 m²) into a scenographic experience merging contemporary floristry, Czech glass art, and the world premiere of 12 new flower cultivars.

A cornerstone of the project was his official artistic collaboration with twelve prominent Czech glass artists:

Tomáš Rachúnek, František Jungvirt, Dominika Petrtýlová, Patrik Čech, Johan Pertl, Karolína Vorlíková, Filip Lukavec, Pavlína Šváchová, Josef Divín, Sebastian Kitzberger, Tomáš Kučera, Klára Janypková, Vlastimil Šenkýř

Their original works were integrated into twelve scenographic compositions, each dialoguing with one of the new cultivars. The interplay between live botanical structures and crafted glass objects created an unprecedented interdisciplinary encounter within floral installation.

"A remarkably strong scenographic gesture. Floristry became a medium of memory, reflection, and future vision."
– Czech Design Foundation
"Bartolen's work proves floristry is not craft alone – it's a language of time, space, and human emotion."
– Design Magazine

VYRAJA 25: FLORISTRY AS MULTIDISCIPLINARY ART

Concurrently, Róbert's authorial vernissage, VYRAJA 25, showcased his exploration of the connection between past and future. This project interweaves Slavic mythology with floral art, incorporating theatre, dance, scenography, music, and fine art photography, thus elevating floristry to the status of a comprehensive art form. Within VYRAJA, he rigorously applies principles of sustainability, recycling, the use of ecological materials, and local sourcing.

STYLE AND VISION

Róbert's vision is clear: the fusion of futurism and sustainability is the future of floristry. As a borderless lecturer and visionary, he tirelessly shares his extensive knowledge with young people and professionals worldwide – including in Europe, Latin America, Central America, and the Arab region – affirming his status as a truly international florist. His work continuously pushes the boundaries of floral art with every new project.

AWARDS AND TITLES

Róbert Bartolen is one of the most prominent figures in global floristry. Throughout his more than twenty-year career, he has received numerous prestigious awards confirming his creativity, innovative approach, and international recognition.

Selected Awards:

  • Floral Designer of the Year, International – 1st Place (2019)

  • Floral Designer of the Year, International – 3rd Place (2018)

  • Most Creative Author of the Year (2018), Floristika Magazine

  • Multiple national championships in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, including Victoria Regia, Děčínská kotva, and Kopidlnský kvítek (2001–2018)

His work is repeatedly recognised for its originality, technical mastery, and conceptual approach, inspiring florists around the world.