Tree Party

Unknown author
Materials: Stone
Inauguration: April 30, 1899

Forestry engineer Rafael Puig Valls (Tarragona, from 1845 to 1920) encouraged children and teachers of Barcelona's schools to mount the first Tree Festival, the last Sunday of April 1899. The idea was to inculcate the importance of trees in a country tolerating the destruction of their forests. This type of party was held for the first time in Nebraska (USA) in 1872. Although they left some voices protesting the alleged pagan character of the party, this was supported by the City Council and the conservative Diario de Barcelona. The delegation, made up of some 1,500 children and teachers left the Palace of Fine Arts and went to Zootechnical Museum, then located in the Maritime Section of Ciutadella Park. Rafael Puig Valls made the offering of the 400 pine trees were planted and answered the mayor Bartomeu Robert. After a rock was discovered to commemorate the first Tree Festival.