Mr. Bruno Bertone from the Association ALEMA, a volunteer association, applied for the planting in Salerno. The association consists of people of a wide range of ages. For the past 25 years, it has been striving for the objectives such as friendship, solidarity, peace and respect for nature through various activities. The association has set an opportunity to think about how the tragedy of the World War II affected Salerno and learn about Mamma Lucia this year. That is why they wanted to plant the sapling from the “Kaki Tree” that survived the atomic bombing during the WWII so that they can learn about the tree together with children. The association is also deeply liked with the local schools and kindergartens, and engaged in children’s education by setting themes like “Learning Vegetable Garden/ Garden,” “Bats: Friends we have to save,” “Butterfly Garden” and “Crop Cycles.” The Kaki Tree Project is carried out under the theme of “Learning Vegetable Garden/ Garden.”
The planting took place on 27 April. Children and their families from the elementary school of the city’s third circle, representatives from the city of Cave de’ Tirreni, the school principal and the representative from the Association ALEMA participated in the ceremony. First, the representative from the Association ALEMA, Mr. Lambiase Domenico gave a few words, and the Dr. Ebinuma’s message was read out. Mr. Bertone gave a talk on the history of the Kaki Tree Project. He introduced the kaki tree as a symbol of peace while showing some photos to the children. Then, the kindergarten and elementary school children’s workshop took place.
They painted a huge rainbow and hung the Japanese national flag on the concrete wall of the Vegetable Garden/Garden at the ALEMA Main Office. The tree was planted right in front of it. People in the traditional costume played trumpets, and the representatives of children put soil over the tree roots.
At the end of the tree-planting ceremony, they recited the poem “la scatola di colori (Box of Colors)” by Tali Sarek. The pupils also shared their impression of the event.
