The Alnwick Garden Donates Tai Haku Trees to Support Refugee Week
The Alnwick Garden is delighted to announce the donation of two Tai Haku cherry blossom trees in support of a new art installation at The Baltic in June entitled, To Own Both Nothing and the Whole World.
One will be planted in the Civic Centre gardens on Wednesday 18th June, with the other outside of The Baltic, which will form part of an installation from acclaimed Finnish artist Henna Asikainen with Syrian writer and architect Roua Horanieh.
Their installation at The Baltic will be unveiled for Refugee Week (June 16-22) in collaboration with Counterpoints Arts as part of the 80th anniversary of the first Moomin book, supported by Moomin Characters Ltd.
Exploring the idea of nature as our first home, Henna and Roua plan to incorporate fallen Tai Haku cherry blossom petals from The Alnwick Garden, which are currently in bloom, as a central element in her exhibition.
Henna said: “Because the Tai Haku cherry blossom trees are originally from Japan, they symbolise migration and new beginnings, embodying the deep connection between nature and humanity.
“We are humbled that The Alnwick Garden has donated two of these beautiful trees, which will remain in the centre of Newcastle as a reminder of the importance of acceptance and adaptation.”
The installation aims to represent the resilience and ability of communities to create hope and belonging, in line with this year’s Refugee Week theme, Community as a Superpower.
Expressing her admiration for the initiative, the Duchess of Northumberland, Jane Percy, said: "I am honoured to support such a meaningful project.
“It is wonderful to see the beauty of the Tai Haku cherry trees, and all they represent, shared with the wider community in Newcastle, and we support the efforts of Moomin and Counterpoints Arts, who are inviting local volunteers to help look after the trees during the warmer months.”
Visitors can experience the powerful art exhibition at The Baltic and the newly planted Tai Haku cherry blossom trees at The Civic Centre during Refugee Week, running from 16-22 of June.
To Own Both Nothing and the Whole World is co-commissioned and co-produced by Counterpoints Arts and Baltic, made possible by the support of Moomin Characters Ltd. It is part of celebrations marking 80 years since the publication of the first Moomin story by Tove Jansson, which had a focus on displacement. The title of the work is a quote from Snufkin, one of the characters in the Moomin stories.