In celebration of Arbor Day this year, the Verdi planted a beautiful cypress tree in the Triangle Garden for the children in our community to enjoy. Alessandra Vinciguerra, our Bass Superintendent of Gardens, opened the November 25 ceremony by affirming the promise of the Academy to plant a tree for every one that succumbs to time, age, weather, and climate change.
Rome Prize Fellows, Fellow Travelers, and staff witnessed the ceremonial planting of the new tree, and the Verdi offered their shovels so each person could add some soil to stabilize the tree’s place in the garden.
Jen Shyu (2025 Fellow) sang two parts of a Korean binari blessing—as taught to her by Jo Munju—called Seon Go Sa 선고사(先告祀) or Prayer (prologue) and Dwit Bul 뒷불(뒷念佛) or Buddhist Chanting for Blessing. The verses cast off negative energy and advised everyone to “give love, ten out of ten, to others.”
Shyu offered the newly planted tree and all present, a “blessing, good wishes, and good fortune.”
