Today at 1pm, Vancouver Mayor Larry Campbell and city councillors will plant a cherry tree graft taken from the old cherry tree at Kogawa House, 1450 West 64th Ave.
The cherry tree and the house figure prominently in both books Obasan and Naomi's Road, written by Joy Kogawa. The cherry tree is getting old and diseased now, so grafts were taken to help preserve its memory. Unfortunately, the tree was pruned severely last fall. But imagine 5 year old Joy Kogawa, swinging and climbing from a younger tree, still full of vibrant life and cherries. (Read one of my favorite books Shel Silverstein's "The Giving Tree.")
Vancouver City council passed a motion to plant the tree graft in September - the same week an inquiry for demolition of Kogawa House was made.
Also attending the tree planting will be Paul Whitney, Chief Librarian of Vancouver Public Library, and James Wright, General Directof of Vancouver Opera. Obasan was VPL's 2005 choice for One Book One Vancouver program, and Naomi's Road premiered on September 30th, as a 45 minute opera commissioned to tour BC schools.
Also listen to CBC Radio's "On the Coast" 4-6pm, Paul Grant's Art Report interviewed me yesterday about saving Kogawa House.
Cherry Tree at Kogawa House - photo by Don Montgomery
Cherry Tree at Kogawa House - photo by Don Montgomery
Cherry Tree at Kogawa House - photo by Don Montgomery
