Tree Planting Marked The Start of Congress Week

The IUFRO World Congress 2024 commenced with a significant tree-planting ceremony at the Skansen Open-Air Museum.

This event, a longstanding tradition within IUFRO, symbolized resilience and the enduring connection between generations and continents. It also provided a platform for the host countries to showcase their regional culture and traditions related to forest and tree usage.

At the peak of Orsakullen, two oaks and two pines were ceremoniously planted, representing the rich forest culture of northern Europe. The event featured a renowned choir “Allmänna sången” performance and included speeches from dignitaries representing the City of Stockholm, IUFRO, and Sweden, the host country.

Yvonne Nordlind, CMO of Skansen, expressed her pride in hosting the event: “We are proud to host this historic event. It not only highlights the importance of our forests but also strengthens the bond between diverse cultures and communities.”

This marked the first time since 1929 that Sweden hosted the IUFRO Congress. The event has since grown into a global gathering, with over 4,200 delegates and stakeholders from more than 110 countries, primarily from the scientific community, as well as from governments, businesses, and non-governmental organizations.

Fredrik Ingemarson, Chair of the Organizing Committee, shared his enthusiasm: “We applaud Skansen for their unwavering commitment to forests. This tree planting ceremony not only celebrated our rich forestry heritage but also paved the way for future generations to appreciate and protect our natural environment. The Skansen venue was the perfect setting for this ceremony.”