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Get ready to welcome the world — A World of Tulips — at this year’s 66th annual tulip festival.

At a media event Thursday, Canadian Tulip Festival executive director Michel Gauthier said, “There’s many new and exciting things for this year.”

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Beginning with the World of Tulips theme: it was inspired this past October when tulipists from 34 countries came to Ottawa to participate in the 7th World Tulip Summit.

To highlight this year’s theme, there will be several cultural and heritage learning experiences at the May 11-21 festival where you can learn about 27 Tulip Friendship Countries (including Russia, China and Turkey) that promote friendship and peace through the tulip.

The festival has four locations showcasing tulips, hosting events and running activities: Dow’s Lake, Lansdowne Park, the ByWard Market and The Garden Promenade.

Although organizers add new attractions each year, Gauthier said he is particularly excited for this year’s additions. Here are some of the highlights: