Jablonki Apple Tree Dedication In NYC
by James Dombrowski
Recently during the United Nations Annual General Assembly Meeting, the nation of Poland held a dedication ceremony – “Jablonki” – at the Carlyle Hotel in NYC highlighting the nearly 250 years of solidarity between Poland and the USA.
In the photo are Beata Daszynska-Muryczka, President of Bank Gospodarstwa and Adrian Kubicki, Consul General of Poland. Beata and Adrian spearheaded the planting of 340 flowering apple trees throughout the 5 boros of NYC, including a special planting in Central Park.
“Jablonki” is the symbol of celebrating apples with festivals occurring throughout Poland as the apple trees bloom; mirroring what is done in Washington and Newark during the Cherry Blossom Festivals in the Spring. The Polish Festival ends with the harvesting of the apples.
Poland is one of the world’s largest producers of apples – a fruit which has a significant economic engine in the agricultural exports of this NATO country.
Special plaques mark the apple trees, highlighting the long standing bond between Poland and America. Poland was an important ally during America’s’ fight for freedom over Great Britain. History has also shown that Poland played a major role, not given enough credit at the end of World War II, in saving the lives of many Jews seeking sanctuary from the Nazis.
The planting project also received assistance from the Tree Time Foundation. All the speakers at the ceremony spoke of the centuries of Polish pride in America and the many Polish Americans who have help shaped America.
