Home

500 years of reformation - 500 trees for Wittenberg

"Even if I knew that the world were to collapse tomorrow, I would still plant my apple tree today" (ascribed to Martin Luther).

In 2017, Lutheran churches will commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation (Jubilee) that had its beginnings in Lutherstadt Wittenberg.

As a means of giving expression to commemoration, the Luthergarten (Luthergarden) has been established in Wittenberg on the grounds of the former town fortifications. In connection with this project, 500 trees will be planted in the Luthergarten and elsewhere in the town, giving a concrete sign of the optimism so clearly expressed in Luther's apple tree quote.

Churches from all over the world and from all confessions are being invited to sponsor one of the 500 trees to be planted in Wittenberg, and at the same time to plant a corresponding tree in a place that is significant for their own church.

Through this cooperative project, the Luthergarten will stimulate interaction and set a communication process in motion. Positive impulses will emerge and spread out into town, the region, the country and, finally, into the world. In this way, the far-reaching significance of the Reformation will become tangible.

The project has been initiated by the Lutheran World Federation in Geneva, with support from the German National Committee of the LWF and the United Evangelical Lutheran Church of Germany (VELKD) and by cooperation with Lutherstadt Wittenberg.