On June 6 we have celebrated the National Day of Sweden. At the Smålandsmuseum better known as the Kulturparken, we have planted an apple tree as a representation of acceptance between the Swedish citizens and the immigrants. The idea has dawned on us few months ago when we were discussing nabout integration of immigrants in Sweden.

The apple tree is based on the tetralogy written by the great Swedish writer,Vilhem Moberg who extensively wrote about the Swedish emigrants to the US in the early 1850´s. In that story Kristina who have migrated to America has, out of love of her country, grows an apple tree whose seeds were imported from Sweden. If Kristina were back today to sweden, obviously she would see a different scenario and it is my understanding that she would feel extremely happy if she saw immigrants in Sweden largely because, on one hand she would be pleased to see her people and government helping other people who migrated from their countries, and, on the other hand, she would be glad to see how her country had stepped into such a higher stage of developmet since she had migrated some 150 years ago.

In the tree-planting session which was part of the national day event, Ingrid Nettrik, chairlady of the Moberg Society, has been honored to plant the tree along with the Kulturparken Chief Erica Månsson and myself as project leader for Migration Memories.

In the soil of peace
We have planted a tree
It is a lovely apple tree
Its stem is solidarity
Its root is human rights
Its branches are democracy
Its leaves are freedom

It is a symbol of acceptance
A Logo of global migration
A meeting point of diversity
A bridge of love and respect
A rainbow of integration
A precious treasure of love

It represents even more than we can think of
It is Kristina herself coming back home
Reincarnated in the form of an apple tree
Calling upon us to cooperate in harmony
Not letting our differences divide us
But instead turning them to a unifying factor
Not leaving behind a legacy of war and hatred
But paving the way for a peaceful tomorrow
Where children taste the joy of love and protection