Gernikako Arbola in Ontario
Significance of the Tree | "Family Tree" of Gernikako Arbola | Our Commemoration | Photo Gallery
on April 29, 2007 in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the bombing of Gernika, a seedling cultivated from an acorn of Gernikako Arbola was planted in Ontario. The new tree stands in the park on the north side of Ontario Basque Center.
Significance of Gernikako Arbola
Since the Middle Ages, the Tree of Gernika has been a symbol of the liberty of the people of Bizkaia, and by extension, all Basques. It was under its branches that the monarchs of Castile swore to uphold the "fueros" of ancient code of Basque laws and privileges. In modern times, the Lehendakari, the Basque President, takes his oath of office there. The descendant of the original tree, which stood outside the Parliament house in Gernika survived the bombing by Nazi planes, allies of Generalísimo Francisco Franco’s fascists in the Spanish Spanish Civil War, while the rest of the town was reduced to rubble. The tree now also is a symbol of peace so that such atrocities may never be committed again.
The "Family Tree" of Gernikako Arbola
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In the middle ages, the representatives of the villages of Bizkaia held assemblies under local trees. By 1512, the role of separate assemblies was superseded by the one in Gernika and its oak acquired a symbolic meaning. The known specimens form a dynasty:
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"The father" dated to the 14th century and lasted 450 years.
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The "old tree" (1742-1892) re-planted in 1811. The trunk now stands in a temple in the surrounding garden.
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The third (1858-2004), re-planted in 1860, survived the bombing of Gernika in 1937 but eventually died of a fungus. The gardeners of the Bizkaian government keep several spare trees grown from the tree’s acorns.
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The tree currently standing outside the parliament in Gernika (from 1986) was replanted on the site where its father once stood on the 25th of February 2005.
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Our tree in Ontario is a descendant of this noble dynasty. The seedling was cultivated and donated by Julian Achabal.
Our commemoration included the following elements:
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Welcome – President Irene Bates
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Brief Historical Overview and excerpt from Lehendakari Ibarretxe’s Declaration – Gernika for Peace by Lisa Corcostegui
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Planting of seedling of Gernikako Arbola - President Irene Bates and Charter Members Juanita Hoff and Martina Echanis
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Prayer for Peace – Father Rob Irwin
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Release of Prayer Balloons
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Aurresku by Enrike Corcostegui
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Singing of Gernikako Arbola - led by Jean Louis Cihigoyenetche
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Screening of The Mark of Men: Survivors' Memories of the bombing of Gernika produced by Gernika Gogoratuz
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Potluck Dinner
