CIHEAM Zaragoza, the City Council of Zaragoza and the Association The Garden of Peace sign an agreement to create a “Garden of Peace”
CIHEAM Zaragoza, the City Council of Zaragoza and the Association The Garden of Peace signed an agreement on 2 November to plant in 2023 a garden of peace in the city of Zaragoza. The garden will be created to inspire peace, tolerance and respect between cultures through the olive, a Mediterranean symbol of identity and fraternity.
The garden will include 21 varieties of olive trees from the World Olive Germplasm Bank of the University of Córdoba that hosts the collection of olive cultivars to conserve biodiversity. The purpose of the garden will be twofold: to transmit the universal values of the Mediterranean countries and preserve traditional olive varieties.
THE OLIVE AS A PEACE AMBASSADOR
In the words of Raúl Compés, director of CIHEAM Zaragoza, “The olive is synonymous of Mediterranean culture, a common bond between countries. For us it is the perfect ambassador to transmit a message of peace and common understanding from Zaragoza, where the headquarters of CIHEAM in Spain are located. Our organization embraces the idea of Mare Nostrum, a space for cooperation between 13 Mediterranean member countries speaking in unison".
In the words of Francesco Serafini, president of the cultural association The Garden of Peace, “The initiative opens up a unique opportunity to create a social climate of solidarity and inclusion to offset any form of intolerance or violence”. Serafini went on to say, “through the olive tree and the cities that join the project we are creating a golden thread to weave peace, tolerance, cooperation and cultural exchange”.
ZARAGOZA, CITY COMMITTED TO PEACE
By joining this project, Zaragoza strengthens its commitment to promote a culture of peace. In 1999, UNESCO declared Zaragoza an “emblematic site of culture and peace”, a recognition that highlights the city as a crossroads of cultures, symbolizing an essential, intercultural, spirit of tolerance.
Zaragoza’s mayor Jorge Azcón stated, “We are grateful to take part in this initiative. We understand that it is important for the city because of the symbolism it holds for peace, solidarity and the environment and can be an example for other cities that wish to join this project”.
