Green Peace Tree Avenue in Scandicci

The town of Scandicci, a Florence suburb, recently inaugurated the “Avenue of Humanity and Human Rights,” in the new Vignone park. The avenue includes 12 trees of different species and each is named after an extraordinary person throughout history who committed their life to the progress of humanity, civil rights, and peace.

The trees, a mix of plane oaks, red oaks, weeping willows and holm oaks, are dedicated to Rosa Parks, Ghandi, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, and Florence Nightingale among others. Those whose humanitarian efforts earned them the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize were also recognized with a tree such as Wangari Muta Maathai, Albert Schweitzer, and Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Psychologist and anthropologist Rolando Toro, educator and philosopher Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, scientist and Nobel Prize for Medicine winner Rita Levi-Montalcini, and Italian writer and journalist Gianni Rodari have a tree as well.

At the base of every tree lies a plaque with the name of the person along with short biographical notes.

The initiative was proposed by a local association and is only the first part of the “Viale dell’Umanità,” project which will develop throughout Scandicci in the future.

“The number of 12 personalities represents the annual cycle that in its repetition becomes the eternal cycle of life. Every future planting will be repeated in multiples of 12,” says Mayor Fallani. “The trees dedicated to them will reflect the sacredness of life and the principles to which each of them has dedicated their lives.” (kelsey lentz)