In November of this year, the whole of Lithuania will celebrate the 100th anniversary of V. Adamkaus. For this special occasion, the community of Kaunas President Valdas Adamkaus Gymnasium prepared an advance gift – a grove named after President Valdas Adamkaus, which was planted on Friday in the Pajiesi forest growing in the Vaišvydava forest area of the Dubrava regional unit.
Photo by Karolina Stazytė/A gift to Adamkus on the occasion of the centenary – a grove of 7,300 planted trees in Kaunas district
On April 24, after starting at 9:00 in the morning and promising to work until 5:00 p.m., the high school students, their parents, teachers and other honored guests took turns planting about 7,300 different trees – oaks, firs, lindens, black alders, and birches – in the 2.7 ha area. A mixed forest is being planted to make it more resistant to pests.
Such a unique initiative aims to give meaning to the life of V.Adamkaus, cherished values and special connection with Kaunas and Lithuania, respect is expressed. As the high school community assures, this is not only a symbolic gift to the President, but also a living legacy for future generations.
They will be able to tell their grandchildren
How about the initiative 15 minutes said Rita Mikalauskienė, director of Kaunas President’s Valdas Adamkaus Gymnasium, on Friday not only was the plaque in the grove named after V. Adamkaus unveiled, it is a long-term project that will be protected by the grovers and the gymnasium community itself.
When asked why this particular place was chosen for the grove, the director explained that it was chosen by the State Forestry Office, as close as possible to the gymnasium, so that the community could visit it often – a large area was needed, and it was not easy to find. Right next to Kaunas, in Kaunas itself, you will not plant such a quantity of trees.
Photo by Karolina Stazytė/Director of President Valdas Adamkaus Gymnasium Rita Mikalauskienė
“It is a joyful and meaningful process. We wanted to give this grove to the whole of Lithuania, so that every child, every family could plant a century oak tree, as a memory that he studied at the gymnasium at the time when President V. Adamkas turned 100 years old. He will be able to visit the grove and after graduating, he will remember that it was such a day, he will tell his children and grandchildren: “I planted here.” And the name of our high school obliges us to cherish the memory of this personality.
We thought about how to make that gift of the century unique. We have given various warm gifts to the President, but now we wanted to give meaning to that sustainable work that will last for a long time as a gift. This is a community, a connection with who you are, where you study, what inspires you, what values are fostered”, the interviewer emphasized.
According to her, preserving nature, planting trees for their gymnasium is not something new.
Photo by Karolina Stazytė/A gift to Adamkus on the occasion of the centenary – a grove of 7,300 planted trees in Kaunas district
“We are an exceptional high school in that we have a unique concept of ecology and environmental technologies. It is important that the child understands what it is from the first steps, so that nurturing nature and health is natural for him,” assured R. Mikalauskienė.
Thanks from the President
As the director of the high school stated, President V.Adamkus was surprised, grateful, extremely happy to receive such a gift, he assured that it was a wonderful idea. He also sent a greeting to the gymnasium.
“The president said that there is no better gift. He was happy that we nurture his works, grow the forest, protect nature, and try to inspire all the young people we educate,” said the gymnasium director.
The word of thanks sent to the gymnasium by V.Adamkus on this occasion was also read.
President Valdas Adamkus/ Lukas Balandis/ BNS
“I want to convey sincere words of gratitude and respect to everyone who gathered to plant a Lithuanian forest. Yes, a Lithuanian forest, because wherever we plant our trees, wherever we want to go and decorate it, all of this is Lithuania, its green clothes and its natural soul.
Human communication with nature, culture has always been and always will be an inseparable part of the general culture, therefore, for the full life of any state, nature is necessary, next to universities and factories, government institutions and residential houses, it is protected, respected and continued. Each state is unique, as unique as its face and its soul.
I am glad that Lithuania understands this, I am glad that we are also a land of forests. Every planted tree is not only a future forest, a young forest or a future old forest, it is our letter to future generations, it is a testimony that we care about how the people of the future will live”, thanked V. Adamkus.
The President said that there is no better gift.
“For me, this is the most beautiful gift. Thank you for the fact that thanks to you, more beauty can be found in Lithuania – both natural and spiritual. Thank you for the fact that Lithuania will continue to remain a magnificent country of forests,” he emphasized.
Photo by Karolina Stazytė/A gift to Adamkus on the occasion of the centenary – a grove of 7,300 planted trees in Kaunas district
Worked in shifts
The first planting work was started on Friday by senior students. Brought by buses, the children were trained by foresters.
Armed with semi-cylindrical and tubular planters, they planted all kinds of trees to the sound of famous Lithuanian songs.
It is expected that about 97 percent of them will arrive. Exactly how much will become clear in a few months.
After the planting work was completed, special certificates were presented to the student classes. Some children were soon replaced by others.
Photo by Karolina Stazytė/A gift to Adamkus on the occasion of the centenary – a grove of 7,300 planted trees in Kaunas district
From 2 p.m. parents of the students also joined in planting. It is believed that a total of about 1,500 members of the high school community planted at least one tree on Friday.
“Only about 500 parents registered”, R. Mikalauskienė informed.
Planting is just the beginning
As stated 15 minutes interviewed forester Aivaras Audejaitis, planting is only the first step. It will be necessary to go around each tree many times, pat it, protect it with repellants, cut the grass so that the light can shine through.
Photo by Karolina Stazytė/Forest Aivaras Audejaitis
“Up to the age of 20, we constantly walk and make sure that the planted tree grows perfectly. They are just starting their life. Here they can grow up to 70, 80 or even 100 years old. It is difficult to say how much exactly. If there are no cataclysms, such as drought, fire, it can change the life of the nursery”, – what a long process it is, the forester revealed.
When asked if there are still groves in Lithuania named after personalities, A. Audejaitis replied that there are, but not many.
Valdas Adamkus: “This is a testimony that we care about how the people of the future will live.”
“There are quite a few groves named after partisans, where their bunkers were, where they died,” assured the forester.
However, such a case, when a grove is given the name and surname of a person, while this person is still alive, is extremely rare.
