Tree planting has become a tradition for the opening of the festival of national minorities in Brno. We have approached this year’s 13th edition of the festival as a unification of all national minorities living in communality and joint cohesiveness. All these laudable qualities are symbolized by a seemingly ordinary tree – the common pear – which we have decided to plant this year.
The common pear – a symbol representing longevity, persistence and strength. The pear fruit that we can pick after the harvest in September and taste its sweetness, sourness, but also its bitterness, can be likened to the individuality of each of us. Although we are all the same, we are all different in a way.
Nowadays, being affected by the Covid-19 virus outbreak, we have shown the whole society our persistence and communality expressed not only by sewing face masks, but also with humanity and warmth where it was most needed. During these hard times, we were helping our relatives, as well as our neighbours, children, seniors, patients and people in isolated households. It was the unification of humanity regardless of the nationality, age and gender that was a significant feature of this year. Let us tie a ribbon onto the planted pear tree for each nationality, in tribute to all, as a token of humanity and communality.
There will be a short accompanying programme when the ribbon is tied. We will hear famous songs in various languages sung by opera singer Táňa Soto Janošová, poems read by author Ljubov Vondroušková and a performance by the music band Hrochansony.
Dana Kroková
Social Care Department, Brno City Municipality
