Within the framework of Partnership for Democracy (PfD) Project, an annual tree-planting ceremony took place for the third time in Łomna close to Ukrainian border where several hundred Ukrainians were resettled in 1947. Owing to a joint Polish-American-Ukrainian initiative, a place with a difficult history has been transformed into a forest symbolizing reconciliation and hope. The now fenced forest, called a "Media Forest", is included in an educational trail prepared by Podkarpackie State Forests, which provide hundreds of new seedlings and look after the forest throughout the year. Jan Kraczek, the State Forest Director, Janusz Onyszkiewicz, the Vice-Chairman of the European Parliament, Robert Godek, the Vice-Governor of Podkarpackie Province and Susan Parker-Burns, Public Affairs Officer from the U.S. Consulate in Krakow delivered speeches at an outdoor fire with hunters' horns marking the opening of the event. All special guests, as well as Polish and Ukrainian journalists, participants of the Partnership for Democracy (PfD) workshops, foresters and Polish custom officers planted trees and joined in a picnic with the Lviv University folk dancing group presenting their most popular dances and songs.
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