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, a park, Luther Garden, will be established in Wittenberg on the grounds of the former town fortifications.  In connection with this project, 500 trees will be planted in Luther Garden and elsewhere in the town, giving a concrete sign of the optimism so clearly expressed in the 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 significant place for their own church.

Through this cooperative project, Luther Garden will stimulate interaction and set a communication process in motion.  Positive impulses will emerge and spread out into the 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 of the German National Committee of the LWF and the United Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Germany.