In the fall of 1945, Princess Juliana of the Netherlands presented Ottawa with 100,000 tulip bulbs. The gift was given in appreciation of the safe haven which Holland's exiled royal family received during the Second World War and in recognition of the role which Canadian troops played in liberating the Netherlands.

 The tulips have become an important symbol of international friendship and the beauty of spring. They also have special meaning to the people of Canada's Capital Region. During the war, the Dutch royal family was hosted at Government House in Ottawa. Princess Margriet was born at the Ottawa Civic Hospital. The floral gift that began in 1945 has established this region as "The Tulip Capital of North America."

 A few years after the Dutch tulips arrived in 1945, they became a strong attraction. Stunning pictures were appearing in newspapers nationwide. More and more events began to center around the annual bloom of tulips.  

 The first Canadian Tulip Festival was held in 1953. The Ottawa Board of Trade, at the suggestion of world renowned photographer Malak Karsh whose photographs have immortalized the tulip, formalized the Canadian Tulip Festival to coincide with the tulip's annual bloom. In the next 10 years the Festival grew in size, with a staggering display of over two million flowers.

 Over three million tulips create an exotic mosaic of color and beauty in Canada’s Capital Region, featuring over 20 Official Tulip and Attraction/Partner Sites along a 15km Tulip Route through Ottawa and Gatineau. The Canadian Tulip Festival and Tulip Explosion, the Festivalís flower show, will host the XXIII Annual World Flower Council Summit from May 18 to 22 as part of the Tulip Explosion celebrations at the Casino du Lac-Leamy. Get your Tulip Packages or your valuable Tulip Experience Passport for the 2006 edition, celebrating World Flower Rendezvous.

 When you visit Ottawa to take in this festival, there is no better place to stay than the Lord Elgin Hotel. Now designated the official ‘Founders’ Hotel, the Lord Elgin has taken the theme of Tulips to a completely new level. Throughout the hotel, you will find Tulip inspired artwork and photography, many by the Founder of the Tulip Festival, the world famous photographer, Malak Karsh. Come and visit our new Malak Gallery and stay where you will be close to all the festivities of the Tulip Festival, directly across from Confederation Park and the Rideau Canal and steps from the Parliament Buildings, the Rideau Centre, Byward Market and National Gallery of Canada. Take advantage of our “Lord of the Tulip” package for two people, starting from $185 CAD ($159 US), which includes two Tulip Experience Passports, Buffet Breakfast for two and one night’s accommodation in one of our beautiful, newly renovated guestrooms. What a wonderful way to celebrate spring!

  To learn more about Lord Elgin hotel, visit www.lordelginhotel.ca or call 1-800-267-4298. Lord Elgin is proudly managed by Atlific Hotels & Resorts, http://www.atlific.com/.

Contact:
Ann Meelker
Director of Sales & Marketing
LORD ELGIN HOTEL
PH: 613-235-3333 ext 152
www.lordelginhotel.ca