IKEA presents symbolic floral exhibit at Blooming for Life Plant Hope Festival

- Joins hands with Blooming for Life Foundation to raise proceeds towards the Kuwait Red Crescent Society -

Kuwait City, Tuesday, 15 April 2008: IKEA - the globally renowned Swedish home furnishings specialist - is proud to be a presenter of the ongoing vibrant Plant Hope Festival being held until April 22nd at the Avenues Mall. In its capacity as a diamond sponsor for this first-of-its-kind indoors event in Kuwait organized by the Netherlands-based Blooming for Life Foundation, IKEA renders a symbolic floral exhibit that is reflective of its corporate values and philosophy.

Conceptualized by Blooming for Life's designer florist Peter Boeijens, the 12 square meters IKEA exhibit is adorned by 20 varieties of spring blossoms plucked from the Netherlands ranging from irises, hyacinths and lilies to jasmines, lilacs and lysianthus. Resplendent in hues of yellow and blue, the subtly fragrant flowers represent the corporate colors of IKEA which draw inspiration from the national flag of Sweden.

"Supporting the environment and nature has always been an intrinsic facet of IKEA's personality. Be it the design of our products, their production process or distribution, we've always championed our responsibilities towards corporate citizenship to promote the harmony between nature, lifestyles and the wider community", says Emile Shaar, Store Manager, IKEA Kuwait. Partnering with the Blooming for Life Foundation to inform and mobilize the public towards how they can help contribute towards global environmental priorities has indeed been an honour for IKEA Kuwait, he adds.

While proceeds from the sponsorship and flower sales will go towards the Kuwait Red Crescent Society, Blooming for Life will also conduct an educational program which will seek to engage and orient the audience to contribute towards accomplishing the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals.

Acknowledging IKEA's endeavor to uphold a good cause, Blooming for Life Founder Frank Timmerman says, "Every flower makes a difference. We are giving flowers a whole new meaning as they convey important messages to inform people about the Millennium Development Goals and also support the charitable work of the Kuwait Red Crescent Society. We are delighted that IKEA, being an environmentally-conscious brand, has come forward to demonstrate its core values by supporting this international Festival."

IKEA's participation at the Plant Hope Festival mirrors its unique philosophy towards home furnishings and Sweden's nature-oriented lifestyle. In Sweden, nature and the home both play a big role in people's lives. In fact, one of the best ways to describe Swedish home furnishing style is to describe Swedish nature - full of light and fresh air, yet restrained and unpretentious. Many people associate Sweden with a fresh, healthy way of life and this Swedish lifestyle is reflected in the Ikea product range. From colours and materials used to the sense of space they create, all aspects of IKEA's products incorporate environment-friendly elements such as blonde woods, natural textiles and untreated surfaces.

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For further information, kindly contact:
Leslie Mouawad
Memac Ogilvy Public Relations, Kuwait
Tel: 4610371
Email: leslie.mouawad@ogilvy.com