The site of Chiesa Vecchia di San Giovanni (Ex San Giovanni church), which was a church of the middle age, is a located in a small village on a hill with a view of small lakes in Varese area.
Ms. Anniva Anzi, president of Parents Teacher Association at the Manzoni Elementary School, encountered children of the atomic bombed Kaki tree at the Japan pavilion in Venice Biennale and was so impressed that she took children to the pavilion for a school’s excursion, and started an activity to invite local eledery people to talk about the war for the children. The planting ceremony was accompanied with several workshops, such as an installation work “On-Off” by Mr. Georgio Vicentin, an exhibition at the Chiesa Vecchia organized local people, both adults and children with local artists, poetry readings and craft workshops.
Every spring, they have a planting anniversary festival, which is an introduction to a harvest festival scheduled in 2010. On the day of the festival, the village is filled with Kaki tree events. Not only children but also their parents participate in workshops and enjoy themselves. As these continuous activities such as creating Kaki calendars or organizing exhibitions are highly appreciated in the region, they received “Premio per la pace della Regione Lombardia” (Prize for the peace in Lombardia region) in 2008. The 10th anniversaray festival of Kaki planting is scheduled in March 2010.
