Nature and Biodiversity
Trees live for hundreds of years, symbolically providing the roots that unite future generations. Since time immemorial, people have rested and relaxed with trees, used them as places to meet and talk, or commemorated important events in the shade of a tree.
One of these important events was the first anniversary of Czechoslovakia’s independence. On this occasion, 28 October 1919, people all around the newly-born country planted thousands of lime trees (the lime or linden tree is an age-old symbol of the Czech nation) to celebrate this great milestone in national history.
To celebrate 100 years since the birth of the independent Czechoslovakia, the Partnership Foundation is organizing a year-long campaign called ‘Trees of Freedom 1918-2018’. The campaign is supported by a range of organizations – Post Bellum, the Czech Council for Children and Young People, the Sokol Association, the Association of Cities and Municipalities, and many more. As part of the campaign, we will seek out the trees that were planted by communities in 1918 and 1919 to celebrate Czechoslovakia’s independence and commemorate the importance of freedom and democracy. We will also look for trees planted in later years to celebrate this and other historic milestones (1928, 1945, 1968, etc.). Our aim is to identify at least a symbolic 1918 Trees of Freedom, and to have them listed as legally protected historic trees (spring 2018) – as well as having them inspected and treated by experts to ensure their future health. The campaign will culminate in October 2018, when new Trees of Freedom will be planted throughout the country; our partner company Arboeko will provide 100 young lime trees specially for this purpose.
To register a tree, or to find more information about the campaign, see www.stromysvobody.cz