40th Anniversary Cherry Tree Planting Ceremony

Millenium Gate Musuem

    On March 28, a ceremony celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta was held at the Millennium Gate Museum in Midtown. To commemorate this special event, 40 Somei-Yoshino cherry trees were planted in the heart of Atlanta.

    This cherry tree planting ceremony was made possible by Rodney Cook, president of the National Monuments Foundation. There were about 100 attendees at this event including Georgia State representative Joe Wilkinson, as well as other Georgia dignitaries and diplomats stationed in the southeast, and representatives from both the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia and the Japan-America Society of Georgia.

Representative Joe Wilkinson

President Rodney Cook

CG Sunaga

    Representative Wilkinson spoke about the friendship between Japan and the State of Georgia and also offered his sincere congratulations on the 40th anniversary. Next, CG Sunaga shared that Japan and Georgia have deepened the relationship in this 40 years through economic, cultural, academic, and personal exchanges. He went on to say that this cherry tree planting ceremony not only represents the past 40 years of deep bonds of friendship between Japan and Georgia, but it gives hope for the next 40 years of continued partnership. Finally, President Cook mentioned that Japan and the state of Georgia have had a strong “Kizuna”, bond with each other not only economically but also culturally and through personal exchanges. He also emphasized the great significance of planting 40 cherry trees in the center of Georgia as a representation of that friendship.

    In addition, congratulations were received in writing from the Japanese ambassador to the United States Kenichiro Sasae, the U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy, former President Jimmy Carter, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, and Macon Mayor Robert Reichert.

    After the speeches, the cherry tree planting ceremony was held in the Museum’s garden. The cherry trees for this ceremony were generously provided by the Fickling Family. William Fickling III, grandson of William Fickling Sr., who has long been affiliated with the Macon International Cherry Blossom Festival, and his wife were also in attendance.

(in pink)Mr. and Mrs. Fickling, from left: CG Sunaga and Mrs. Sunaga, President Cook, Musem Director Corbus, Representative Wilkinson

Newly planted Cherry Trees