As part of the activities organized to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of Slovenian independence, the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in the Kingdom of Belgium planted a Slovenian linden tree (tilia cordata) in Arboretum Kalmthout, in the province of Antwerp, on Friday the 29th of April.

Besides Slovenian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, Mrs Anita Pipan, the Slovenian linden tree planting event was attended by Director of the Arboretum Kalmthout Rammeloo Abraham, Member of Parliament of the province of Antwerp, Inga Verhhart, some local officials, Presidents of the Slovenian Clubs of Masmechelen and Genk, as well as daughter and son of the Baroness Jelena de Belder-Kovacic, whose greatly appreciated contribution made Arboretum Kalmthout world known for its beauty and variety of plants.

This event has not only the symbolic importance of commemorating the twentieth anniversary of Slovenian independence and the contribution of the Slovenian green diplomacy to the greening of the planet during the Year of the Forests, but also in strengthening the existing cooperation between the Arboretum Kalmthout and Slovenian botanical gardens, maintaining the symbolic link between the Arboretum and Slovenia. Namely, a major contribution to the formation of one of the most beautiful and diverse botanical gardens in Europe was done by the horticulturalist of the Slovenian origin, Baroness Jelena Kovacic, who married Mr Robert de Belder, owner of the garden at that time, after moving to Belgium. With the help of family members, her knowledge, dedication, and sense for beauty, Baroness Jelena de Belder-Kovacic turned a deserted tree nursery into a famous collection of beautiful and diverse trees, the well known Arboretum Kalmthout.

Slovenian linden tree planting at Arboretum Kalmthout is the second tree planting event organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in the Kingdom of Belgium. Many Slovenians living in Belgium, including the Slovenian EU Commissioner for Environment Mr Janez Potočnik, participated in the first event "Twenty linden trees for the twentieth anniversary", which was organized on the 20th of March in Gooik, 20 km west of Brussels, in cooperation with the Belgian NGO Sunbeams.

More information on the Slovenian linden tree planting event in Arboretum Kalmthout >>