2025WBFF Bonsai Masters

- Photo by "Germany - René Alber"

Germany - René Alber
Birthday: March 3rd, 1977 Nationality: German Instagram: rene.alber.9 Facebook: René Alber

My fascination for Bonsai started when I went to a bonsai exhibition for the first time in 2007. I had read about bonsai in magazines before, but seeing everything live was even more impressive. After that I joined the bonsai club in my area. I have been the chairman of our Mid-Saxonian Bonsai Club since 2009.
In 2012, I met Walter Pall at an international exhibition in Poland and really wanted to learn from him. So, I travelled to him several times a year and had my first masterclass, especially in handling yamadori.
In 2014 I started working with Christian Przybylski, who trained me in particular for the new talent competition in Germany, which I won in 2016 after 2 more years of training.
For 9 years now I have been a student of Marc Noelanders, who learnt under the famous John Naka. Working with Marc has given me an incredible boost in the design of bonsai.
I am also a student of Manuel Germade for 8 years now, who trained under Master Urushibata in the Taisho-en garden. I was able to improve further under Manuel.

The many years of learning, especially with Marc and Manuel, but also with Mauro Stemberger and Will Baddeley have greatly improved me and my bonsai, allowing me to participate in many national and international exhibitions. My greatest success was winning the Triennale Award for the best tree of the exhibition in Prague in 2023.I was also able to show off my skills with demonstrations at many bonsai events in Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Lithuania and China.In 2016, I founded my bonsai business, the Bonsai Gilde, with my friend Rudi. We trade in bonsai, fertilizer and give many workshops a year to pass on our knowledge to others. Our SAIDUNG bonsai fertilizer is a very well-known fertilizer that we sell throughout Europe.
Bonsai is my purpose in life. It has enabled me to meet many exciting people all around the world. I have a preference for pine trees, especially yamadoris. In addition to bonsai, I am also fascinated by Suiseki.

- Photo by "Poland - Piotr Czerniachowski"

Poland - Piotr Czerniachowski
Piotr Czerniachowski was born in 1972 in Wałbrzych. One of the first bonsai creators in Poland. Owner of AKiNA Bonsai Centrum, founder of the Bonsai Polska Club and leader of the Sudety Bonsai Group.

He has won many prestigious awards in Poland and abroad. He is a demonstrator of many foreign exhibitions, author of films and articles, and has participated in various television programs. In addition, Piotr is a specialist in designing oriental gardens. He was the first Pole invited by the bonsai master Salvatore Liporace to the school at Studio Botanico in Milan in 2001 and the first Polish denonstrator at the largest exhibition in Europe, trophy 2021. Currently the Regional Director of BCI (Bonsai Club International In the plebiscite of the Gazeta Wrocławska, the winner of the title: PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR 2023 IN THE CULTURE CATEGORY... FOR THE FIRST PERMANENT BONSAI EXHIBITION IN POLAND AT THE WAŁBRZYCH PALM HOUSE

- Photo by "Spain - Rafael Torres Pastor "

Spain - Rafael Torres Pastor
He is the founder of BonsaiSense, a professional brand based in Mallorca, which includes an international advanced bonsai school and a specialized bonsai nursery. There, he leads a training program that attracts students from all over the world. The education offered covers a wide range of species, although Rafael is particularly renowned for his expertise with Olea europaea silvestris and Juniperus sabina rastrera, species through which he seeks to connect traditional aesthetics with contemporary techniques.

Rafael has served as a demonstrator at high-level bonsai events worldwide, including in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, South Africa, India, Australia, among others, where he shares his philosophy through live design, teaching, and exhibitions.
He is recognized for his expressive and balanced design style, as well as his deep knowledge of tree development and evolution. His work combines artistic sensitivity with a strong horticultural foundation, always aiming to highlight the unique character of each specimen. He is known for his clear teaching style, his respect for the natural line of the tree, and his strong commitment to quality and authenticity in the practice of bonsai.

- Photo by "Korea - Lee Kwang Jong "

Korea - Lee Kwang Jong

Born 1975
1993-2003-learn bonsai
2002-1st Korea Bonsai Masterpiece Grand Exhibition-demonstration
2003-2nd Korea Bonsai Masterpiece Grand Exhibition-demonstration
2005-open his own bonsai nursery
Geum Hyeon Bonsai nursery
2006-17th Korea Bonsai Grand Exhibition--- grand prize
2007-17th Korea Bonsai Grand Exhibition---- grand prize
2007-20018-Morningcalm Arboretum—technical adviser
2009- 20th Korea Bonsai Grand Exhibition---- grand prize
2010-Poland National Bonsai Exhibition-----demonstration
---Czech National Bonsai Exhibition-----demonstration
2016-China Bonsai Artist Association---demonstration
2017-Shanghai Youth Bonsai artist forum---demonstration
-6th ABFF convention and exhibition---Mokpo city mayor prize and demonstration
-1st Korea Bonsai Artist Society exhibition----artist of the year award
2018-6th European Bonsai san show in France--- demonstration
2019- Best of 20yrs Trophy in Belgium---demonstration
2024- 1st WBFF RO WBC in Indonesia--- demonstration

- Photo by "Mexico - CURRÍCULUM VITAE"

Mexico - CURRÍCULUM VITAE
Enrique Castaño de la Serna
Position held: Senior professor
Phone: (52)-(999)-9706002
Email: ecs7768@yahoo.com

Education

1992 Degree in Biology, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexico
1995 Master of Science, Biophysics, University of Rochester, USA
1997 Ph.D in Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Rochester, USA
1998 Postdoctoral fellowship, Molecular and Cell Biology, Harvard University, USA
2002 Postdoctoral fellowship, Gene regulation, Marie Curie Research Institute, England
Personal Profile

Enrique Castano as a second generation bonsai artist was introduced to Bonsai and the horticultural world at an early age. His love for nature led to his studies in biology, and he subsequently received a PhD in Biochemistry and Biophysics from the University of Rochester (NY) in 1997. He has done post doctoral in Harvard and MCRI in England.
He currently is a professor at the plant research center in Merida and uses his educational background to promote Bonsai in the world. Sharing his knowledge in bonsai from esthetics, philosophy and science. He teaches and gives demonstrations in various locations around the world China (Zunji, Guanzhoo and shangai), Taiwan, UK, USA (Florida, Texas, Colorado, NY, CA, Kentucky), Czech Republic (Prague, Decin, Jihlava, Libohovice), Mexico (city, Guadalajara, Chiapas, merida, cancun, puebla, Veracruz, Tijuana), Lithuania (Lithus, vilnus), Germany (Dresden) and poland ). Has written several articles for various magazines. BCI, Bonsai Today, Bonsai Focus, American Bonsai, International Bonsai. His trees were selected by The World Bonsai Friendship Federation and the BCI selected Bonsai on different years. He has also won various prizes including the John Naka award, Chase Rosade Award, Mexico best design award, Awards by Felab, Gold and silver medals in bonsai olimpics of WBFF, 3rd prize; the Isamel Saleh Bonsai Photo Contest, Gold Award Penjing in China ,the WBFF Chairman Emeritus award and several latinamerican FELAB awards). He was part of the editors of Art of Bonsai and Knowledge of Bonsai. In 2010 he was the chairman for FELAB and has organize several regional events since then. The last event was the first shohin bonsai exhibition in Merida 2017. His book "Botany for bonsai: The Science Behind the Art", serves as a starting block for Bonsai horticulture. Recently has done demonstrations at different events in the USA; United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Taiwan, China and Dominican Republic, Mexico.

Current regional director for BCI, WBFF and President of the Latin American federation of bonsai.

- Photo by "Czech Republic - Milan Karpíšek"

Czech Republic - Milan Karpíšek
Born: 11th September 1985,
Czech nationality
Instagram: @milan.karpise
In 1999 I had first experiments with bonsai trees.
In 2005-2006 – a meeeting with the President of the Czech bonsai Association
Václav Novák.

Since that time my attitude to bonsai trees has dramatically changed.In 2008 I took part in the competition for new talents in Uherské Hradiště
In 2009 I participated in the Spanish Congress EBA in Lorca, where I took the second post in the European competition for new talents.In 2010 I was invited as a demonstrator at the prestigious Belgian exhibiton Noelanders Trophy and I also participated in other demonstrations in the Czech Republic, China, Brazil, Poland, Germany, Lithuania, Hungary, Sweden, Italy and other countries.
In 2011 I attended exhibitions in Germany Bonsai Triennale, where I won the best tree of exhibition award. In 2011 I also started my studies of new techniqes, the cultivation and shaping rods in Switzerland by Juraj Marcinko, where I regularly commute several times a year. Juraj Marcinko’s teacher is Nobuyuki Kajiwara. Thanks to this cooperation, I have learned a lot of old and new techniques and procedures involving bonsai trees.
In 2013 I founded the first Bonsai school in the Czech Republic. Nowadays, I work as a lecturer in the School of Bonsai with 50+ students and cooperate with other European artists who are interested in bonsai trees – Václav Novák, Juraj Marcinko, Bogdan Pociask, Mauro Stemberger, Rafael Torres and others. From 2011, I have gained another awards for my efforts at Czech and European exhibitions. In 2018 I started live and work till this moment. And i continue my studies work in Bonsai zentrum Heidelberg where i of bonsai techniques and cooperate with other people like Naoki Maeoka, Bjorn Bjornholm, Marco Invernizzi, Rafael Torres and more....

- Photo by "Italy - Rudy Marinello"

Italy - Rudy Marinello
Rudy Marinello, born in 1979 in Pieve di Cadore Italy.

My bonsai experience start in 2004 when I met the local Bonsai Club
In the same time I met Mauro Stemberger and the Italian Bonsai Dream group where I had learn to do bonsai properly
From 2008 to 2012 I had the possibility to do some workshops with important bonsai masters like Mauro Stemberger, Marco Invernizzi, Enrico Savini, Isao Omachi, Takashi Iura
From 2010 I had the pleasure to be assistant of Mauro Stemberger in demonstrations and workshops in some bonsai shows like Noelanders Trophy (Belgium), The new Trophy (Belgium),
UBI (Italian Bonsai Association), Bonsai Autumn (Switzerland), Poland National Show, Spanish National Show, China Black Scissors International Exibition 2017, Brasil show 2022
From 2015 I’m UBI (Italian Bonsai Association) bonsai instructor and Italian Bonsai Dream Instructor
In this year I have the pleasure to go to Japan to talk and learn with the bests bonsai masters of the world, Masaiko Kimura, Shinji Suzuki, Kunio Kobayashi, Koji Hiramatsu