A YOUNG sapling in Coventry’s War Memorial Park has been transformed into a colourful multilingual World Tree of Peace by the Godiva Sisters.
The tree was decorated with bright red silk ribbons and poppies as part of Coventry Peace Festival, which runs until November 15.
In contrast to many of the park’s autumnal trees, which have already dropped their leaves, this symbolic tree is filled with messages of peace and white paper doves.
Throughout the first week of lockdown many families have been stopping to photograph the tree with some returning to add their own messages and others turning to social media, according to Pru Porretta MBE, Coventry’s official Lady Godiva.
She said: “The lockdown encourages people to take exercise in the park as a safe haven to meet another person, so our tree stands as a special message of hope and remembrance for all those who pass by.
“Our aim is that the public will reflect and contemplate while in the presence of the World Peace Tree. With over 30 different languages it will promote world peace, environment & peace building.
“We believe our World Tree of Peace is making a real statement, using multi-lingual languages written by the Godiva Sisters to inspire and encourage world peace by using the natural environment to reach out like the branches to our city and beyond inspiring new generations. If you venture into Coventry you could see how it is blooming in the War Memorial Park. Also our film world tree of peace will premiere tomorrow.
Pru, a qualified Heart of England tourist guide, formed the Godiva Sisters group, in which local women from all faiths and cultures meet to portray characters whose lives have inspired the story of Godiva. The peace festival celebrates Coventry as a city of peace, reconciliation and sanctuary.
