On Western Renewal: The Man Who Planted Trees

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For our first event, we’ll be considering Jean Giono’s short story, The Man Who Planted Trees, not just as an appeal for ecological repair and restoration, but also as a call for European cultural and spiritual renewal.

The story is quite short, and can be found here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ug7006QO400hGkS-oYNvI3iDrONcPlnW/view?usp=sharing

It was also released as an animated short film, which is on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epTqUnKsuUY

What comes to mind as you read and/or listen to the story, and what thoughts and feelings do you have on the themes of Western ‘repair’ and ‘renewal’? What does it mean to be ‘planting trees’ and what is the ‘forest’ that you’d like to see grow?

I’ll start by saying a few words on how I see the story in connection with Eusylvania, and we’ll then move on to member responses to the story and a more general discussion.

We hope to see you there!

C.

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IMPORTANT:

In order to facilitate conversation and help create a welcoming atmosphere, we ask that all attendees join our Zoom events with their cameras on. To help in recognizing attendees, please ensure that your profile includes a clear photograph showing your face.

No recording of our events is permitted in any way (and we do not record them ourselves).

As we’d like to give a chance for all attendees to participate, space will be limited so please sign up early.

A Zoom link will be sent directly to attendees in advance of the event.

Thank you for your interest!