Months ago the Tree of the Year was chosen in Spain and now it is fighting to become the best in Europe. It is the Carballo de Conxo of Santiago de Compostela. It may seem insignificant, but the feeling generated around this centenary oak is much deeper. want turn it “into the new cathedral” as “a reference” not only for the city, but also for Galicia and for the whole country. This is how the mayor of Compostela defends it, Xosé Sánchez Bugallo.
The “symbolism and history” of the Carballo and the Bosque do Banquete de Conxo It is what makes them special among the more than 600 hectares of green areas that the municipality of Santiago has. A space that was “victim of many things”, from waves of fires (the last one, in 2006) to the construction of a motorway and the first railway line in Galicia.
During this month, the Carballo de Conxo fight against 15 other trees from many other countries on the continent, and although it is not easy to win, victory is not impossible. Clicking here you can vote.
The Tree of Liberty
Judging whether the story of this tree is worthy of the award will not depend on a professional jury but on citizen support. This historic carballo was born with the Enlightenment and in 1856 witnessed the Democratic Banquet of Conxoa revolutionary act that vindicated the ideals of the new Europe: Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. He was defended by Rosalía de Castro in a pioneering ecological complaint in Spain. It was once accompanied by a thousand oaks, now about 40 remain. The forest that houses it, at the foot of the Portuguese Pilgrimage Route, is today a botanic chest, opened to the public in 2018 (with a large popular festival) after remaining inaccessible for more than a century.
The General Director of Biodiversity, José Luis Marquínez, has underlined the importance of unique trees like this one for humans to feel “part of nature”. In addition, he points out that this oak and its campaign to be European Tree of the Year is “a call” to recover the ‘carballeiras’ (oak groves) of Galicia and northern Spaina task for which the City Council and Xunta have committed the support of the Ministry.
Under these lines you can see the video that defends the candidacy:
Source: Lasexta
Ricardo is a renowned author and journalist, known for his exceptional writing on top-news stories. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he is known for his ability to deliver breaking news and insightful analysis on the most pressing issues of the day.
