This associative movement dedicated to Bonsai and Suiseki in Italy is twenty years old.
For a certain period of time, the initiatives were initially carried out on a local scale, and then on a national scale, concentrating an increasing number of enthusiasts around the most important figures among the pioneers of Bonsai first, and Suiseki after. As a consequence of the need to learn, and subsequently the need for a deeper knowledge about the techniques and the aesthetics of these forms of cultivation and art, the need arose to have persons who could teach the art of Bonsai and Suiseki correctly.
And for a few years there was a vivacious and enthusiastic growth, that was inevitably rather untidy, in the amateurs’ environment on one hand, and in the didactic and professional environment on the other. The need to propose a clear-cut, well-balanced organization that would guarantee the image of Italian Bonsai and Suiseki not only in Italy, but also in our growing presence abroad, became stronger. 1995 and 1996, were surely important years in the young history of these arts in Italy. Prompted by the public opinion that insistently asked for a good organization, and references that could be identified easily, three Italian national Organizations were established.
Today, Bonsai and Suiseki lovers are represented by U.B.I. - Unione Bonsaisti Italiani (the Italian Bonsai Artists Union) – and by A.I.A.S. - Associazione Italiana Amatori Suiseki (the Italian Suiseki lovers Association), while the instructors have founded IBS

Collegio Nazionale Istruttori del Bonsai e del Suiseki
(The Italian National Association of Bonsai and Suiseki Instructors)
IBS unites persons who are qualified in teaching and spreading these disciplines.
Each of these three Italian national associations operates independently and on an equal level, and their aims and intentions are the same, i.e. the development, in Italy, of these ancient Oriental arts.
Over the past few years we have seen how this spirit has promoted significant collaboration relations. The bases to establish IBS were prepared on the occasion of the 1st UBI Congress in Milan, and were subsequently laid down on the 19th February 1996 at a Meeting of Italian teachers, organised in Frosinone
A very large majority of participants, on that occasion, nominated an operative group, whose task was to make the initiative official.
Prof. Giovanni Genotti, one of the most representative pioneers of Italian Bonsai, was called to guide the group. After the first elections, he held the position of Chairman for three more years. Genotti worked side-by-side with Matilde Bramati, Salvatore Liporace, Carlo Oddone, Chiara Padrini, Luciana Queirolo, Pietro Rotondo, Maurizio Rovida and Luigi Toso.
Other important Italian instructors, among those who took part in the initiative, also took part in the initial Constituent Association, as representatives of other Italian regions:
Aldo Cetorelli - Umbria,
Carlo Bazzali- Toscana,
Stefano Nobile - Lombardia,
Sandro Segneri - Lazio,
Emilio Parolari - Veneto.
The primary aims of the new Association are:
- to create and update a professional Register of Bonsai and Suiseki Instructors.
- to represent all the recognised Instructors in Italy and abroad
- to provide indications regarding the teaching methods in Italy
- to take care of the Instructors’ training and updating programmes
- to take care of research and documentation
- to promote relations with other Italian and foreign Associations

In the association articles, registered after the ratification of the association by-laws, that was taken care of by Chiara Padrini, as on 12th April 1996, the following founding members are listed: Carlo Bazzali - Aldo Cetorelli - Salvatore Liporace - Stefano Nobile - Chiara Padrini - Emilio Parolari - Pietro Rotondo - Maurizio Rovida - Luigi Toso - Sandro Segneri.

Registered office - Str. Comunale Saler, 10 - Drusacco - 10080 - Vico Canavese (TO) - Italy

COUNCILLORS, with the following tasks
Sandro Segneri- Chairman
Marco Tarozzo - Secretary
Adriano Bonini - Treasurer
Luciana Queirolo - Advisor
Luca Bragazzi - Advisor

PROBI VIRI COMMITTEE
Carlo Cipollini
Valerio Gianotti
Giovanni Genotti

ACCOUNT AUDITOR
Giovanni Genotti

DIDACTIC AND ETHICS COMMITTEE
Bonsai
Gaetano Settembrini
Massimo Bandera
Luca Bragazzi
Roberto Raspanti
Sandro Segneri
Suiseki
Padrini Chiara
Ezio Piovanelli

In the few years of its existence, IBS has carried out an important representative function in the Italian teaching sector, and has received widespread recognition also abroad.
A number of IBS Instructors have been awarded highly prestigious prizes on a national and international scale, both for Bonsai and Suiseki, their works are published in the most important magazines, and they are among the protagonists of important congresses not only with their works that are exhibited, but especially with their more and more frequent didactic interventions. Their presence is requested in the most qualified juries. Our young Association is proud to know that some of our Instructors have been chosen as demonstrators and speakers at the next World Bonsai Congress in 2001, in Munich.