By European Tree of the Year
Marek Olbrzymek
Guardian of the Flooded Village (2020) by Marek OlbrzymekEuropean Tree of the Year
Meet the scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) standing on the rocky outcrop of the left bank of the dam Vír near the former village of Chudobín.
This tree phenomenon can be found in the Vysočina region in the Czech Republic. Due to its specific location in the middle of the dam, this tree is a popular subject for various artists and photographers.
Guardian of the Flooded Village (2020) by Marek OlbrzymekEuropean Tree of the Year
According to a legend narrated by locals, a devil sat under the pine in the night and played the violin. However, it is much more likely that they were hearing the strong winds blowing over the valley.
Guardian of the Flooded Village (2020) by Marek OlbrzymekEuropean Tree of the Year
Memento of the lost village
The 350-year-old pine tree is the only monument to the extinct village of Chudobín, growing on the rocky headland of the Vír dam. Therefore, it is nicknamed as the memento of the lost village.
Guardian of the Flooded Village (2020) by Marek OlbrzymekEuropean Tree of the Year
This pine tree is not only an important landmark but also an impressive testimony to its high resistance to climate change and human impact.
Guardian of the Flooded Village (2020) by Marek OlbrzymekEuropean Tree of the Year
There is no access to the tree due to the strict water management rules that protect drinking water.
However, this unusual natural phenomenon can be admired from the opposite right bank.
Guardian of the Flooded Village (2020) by Marek OlbrzymekEuropean Tree of the Year
In the dry years, a small bay is formed under the rock.
When there is a lot of water, the pine stands on a small island in the middle of the surface, more than 20 meters above the surface of the dam.
Guardian of the Flooded Village (2020) by Marek OlbrzymekEuropean Tree of the Year
With the support of the local community, the pine competed with another 15 final trees for the title of the 10th European Tree of the Year in 2020.
Guardian of the Flooded Village (2020) by Marek OlbrzymekEuropean Tree of the Year
In addition to selecting the tree with the most interesting story, the European Tree of the Year competition also aims to spread awareness of the importance of nature among the youngest.
In this context, almost every year, some of the national organizers organize an exhibition of children's drawings of the final trees competing in European Tree of the Year.
Guardian of the Flooded Village (2020) by Marek OlbrzymekEuropean Tree of the Year
One vote, one planted tree
The microregion Bystřicko , one of the nominators of the pine for the competition, decided on a unique step. For every vote the Guardian of the Flooded Village gets, one tree will be planted. Thus, several hectares of restored forest should be added to the Vír dam.
Guardian of the Flooded Village (2020) by Nadace PartnersvíEuropean Tree of the Year
The Czech Guardian of the Flooded Village has won the European Tree of the Year 2020. The covid-19 pandemic moved the Award Ceremony to the internet so the prize was officially accepted by the representatives of the Chudobín pine with a little delay.
Guardian of the Flooded Village
This pine standing on a little island in the middle of Vír dam became a winner of the European Tree of the Year 2020 with total number of 47 226 votes from all over the world.
Will you support the trees and help us to continue our important work?
GPS: N 49°34.32558', E 16°16.60785'
Guardian of the Flooded Village was nominated into the European Tree of the Year contest by Mr. Milan Peňáz, Municipality of Vír dam, Dalečín and Bystřice nad Pernštejnem with support of local community.
Organizer of the national round of the contest is Czech Environmental Partnership Foundation.
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