Last weekend, an interesting initiative dedicated to a favorite tree of the local people, a mulberry festival left its footprint in our region. The aim of the festival was to highlight multiple values and use of the tree in daily life, in gastronomy, in silk production and its importance for wildlife and definitely the history of the region.

The initiative started by the Union of Professional Craftsmen and Traders of Soufli and the Region and was framed and supported by local authorities and community. The SPBT was invited to present birds associated with the mulberry tree such as the Balkan woodpecker, the Hoopoe, the Eurasian golden oriole, the Eurasian Scops Owl, as well as the rare visitor the Rosy starling. Not only children, but also grown-ups had an opportunity to get acquainted and learn about these fascinating birds through collages and drawings that were taken with them as souvenirs.

We encouraged visitors to write their thoughts about the tree on paper mulberry leaves and hang them on a wooden tree. Most feelings were referred to childhood memories as grandparents that bred cocoons, family meals under the tree and of course its pleasant shade and tasty fruits. Several remembered themselves swinging or climbing the mulberry tree, “bandaging” injuries with bark from mulberry branches to stop the bleeding and getting rid of mosquitoes with the use of leaves. Some wished the festival to continue next years and mulberry tree to be part of the life of the next generations.

We thank a lot the Union of Professional Craftsmen and Traders of Soufli and the Region for their invitation and the opportunity to highlight the birds embraced by an old mulberry tree.