Between the Mardasson Memorial and the village of Bizory is the "Bois de la Paix" or the Peace Forest. This forest was created on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. The forest is 3 hectares and contains all kinds of tree species that are native to the Bastogne plateau.
Remarkably, all the trees, viewed from the air, form the symbol of UNICEF. The forest was dedicated to the Belgian and allied fighters and civilians who fought for our freedom. On the day of the official inauguration of the Peace Forest (June 11, 1994), all American veterans were invited to the ceremony.
Around the central part of the forest, the martyr cities of the war are depicted on a sign along with three trees that symbolize their region. These cities are Verdun (France), Cunéo and Marzabotto (Italy), Wiltz (Grand Duchy of Luxembourg), Coventry (Great Britain), Kalavrita (Greece), Kragujevac (Serbia), Volgograd (Russia), Warsaw (Poland) and Bastogne. And guess which tree the city of Bastogne chose? The walnut tree, as a tribute to General McAuliffe's legendary Nuts.
Since the forest is a peace symbol that will continue to grow in the 21st century, two new Peacekeepers joined in 2002: East and West Jerusalem, two cities where violence often rears its head. At the end of 2012, 26 oak trees were planted in memory of the young victims of the drama in the Newton School, in Connecticut (USA), in the presence of US Ambassador Howard Guttman and twenty children from the schools of Foy and Mageret and their teachers.
The American veterans who survived the Battle of the Bulge were deeply moved by the idea that their name would appear on a plaque at the base of a tree, of "their tree," a tree that would outlive them. The Peace Forest Not far from Mardasson Hill, a 'Peace Forest' was inaugurated in 1994 at the initiative of the local UNICEF department. Viewed from the air, the 4000 trees, planted on an area of 3ha, are the symbol of UNICEF, the mother with child as a symbol of tenderness. Its perimeter is dotted with signs with the names of the cities that are part of the World Union of Martyr Cities of Peace created in 1982 at the initiative of the city of Bastogne. (Source: Guy Blockmans/OPT).
An unmissable highlight when you visit the spacious area of Bastogne. The Vredesbos allows many visitors to muse about a dark period. The trees symbolize the new life of the lost lives.
Translated by Google •
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