Marju Kõivupuu, researcher and protecor of cross trees, was denominated the Friend of the Year of Sacred Groves at the recognition event held in Estonian Literary Museum last Saturday. Marju Kõivupuu, a senior researcher at the Centre of Landscape and Culture of the Estonian Institute of Humanities at Tallinn University, has compiled a number of researches, published books and tens of articles on cross trees; she has explained their fragility and rareness to local municipalities, land owners and the public. The phenomenon of cross trees that had remained unknown to the public so far, has gradually gained recognition as a result of Marju Kõivupuu's work, and the soul trees of hundreds – not to say thousands – of relatives of Estonians have escaped the destination of being cut down.
Cross trees are connected with historic funerary traditions, belief in the eternity of the human soul and uniformity of man and nature. On the way to the cemetary the funeral procession stops and a cross is cut into the bark of a tree to commemeorate the deceased. Hundreds of soul crosses can be found on more ancient cross trees. In the context of the whole world, the practice of cross trees has reputedly remained alive only in the South-Western part of Estonia. As such trees are not protected by the State of Estonia, the durability of traditions connected to cross trees cannot be guaranteed.
Marju Kõivupuu, the Friend of the Year of Sacred Groves, said that sacred sites in nature and numerous historic monuments in landscape need our full attention and care. They are a part of our history and culture and noone but us will protect them. When she started to talk about the need to protect and preserve cross trees as signs of unique practices, one of the local old men told her not to bother because it was already too late. Fortunately, he was not right. Even though some cross tree groves and cross trees have only been preserved on old photographs and video tapes, cross trees in general are doing alright. Marju Kõivupuu emphasized that the subject of cross trees has brought along a lot of supporters and solidarists.
Like last years, a folk belt made for her was tied around the Friend of Sacred Groves and she was given an axe. Ahto Kaasik, Elder of Maavalla Koda (the organization of native Estonians) said at the recognition event that the axe given to the Friend of Sacred Groves is a dignified tool, weapon and charm that embodies universal values. „The power of a word as well as that of a blade can bring disaster in the hands of the unworthy and good deeds in the hands of good people. As people we are not measured by our wisdom, values, strength, skills, position, assets or contacts but by what we do with them. An axe can create but it can also destroy, it can attack but also defend. Therefore, the axe given to the Friend of Sacred Groves embodies both the freedom of choice as well as responsibility. An axe given by the community of native people also carries the meanings of trust and respect towards this person.“
Tõnis Lukas, chairman of the Environment Committee of the Parliament of Estonia and the chairman of the support group of natural sacred sites came to greet the friends of sacred groves and called for preserving Estonian living space and said that also in the Parliament there are people for whom sacred sites are sacred. „We have got a lot of space, water, trees and land but I see that also our situation will be tight in a longer perspective because there will not be enough space in the world as a whole. We have to preserve our country and our culture because we can only lose them once. Therefore – let us preserve our living space, let's not sell it! Only dedicated and local people can sense the spirit of their country and sacred sites, strangers cannot and do not wish to carry it on,“ said Tõnis Lukas.
The Friend of Sacred Groves was also greeted with a traditional seto (a native minority of Estonia) song lead by Õie Sarv who improvised lyrics as she sang. People present at the event stood up as a sign of respect during the song.
Marju Kõivupuu has disserted on the subject of cross trees in her books „The Change of Death Culture in Time: Based on the Example of Funerary Traditions of Historic Võrumaa“ (2002) and „Souls Rest in Trees“ (2009). In 2011 Marju Kõivupuu published a book „101 Sacred Sites in Estonia“. In 2006 Marju Kõivupuu together with Estonian Green Movement mapped cross trees and published a draft map of them in the Internet: http://www.roheline.ee/ristipuud/.
In 2011 Marju Kõivupuu received a gratitude letter from Maavalla Koda for protecting cross trees.
The Friend of Sacred Groves can be a person, union or organization whose earnest actions have helped to preserve or improve the condition of a sacred site. The laureate is selected by an election board set up by the members of Maavalla Koda, Hiite Maja Foundation and EVT Põlisrahvaste Foundation (EVT Native Peoples' Foundation).
This year, the Friend of Sacred Groves was named for the fifth time. Martin Kivisoo, the Friend of Sacred Groves of 10221 (2008) initiated and supported the research of sacred sites in Muhu island and put in a good word about them. A then student of upper school, Minni Saapar, the Young Friend of Sacred Groves of 10221 (2008) mapped all sacred sites of Pihtla parish (Saaremaa) as a result of an inspiring concert of Metsatöll (Estonian folk metal band). The Friend of Sacred Groves of 10222 (2009) was a family – Lembi Välli, Arvi Sepp ja Toivo Sepp – who had been protecting Paluküla Sacred Grove Hill from mindless violations for ca ten years. Mari-Ann Remmel, the Friend of Sacred Groves of 10223 (2010) protected the sacred grove of her home parish – Lehmja sacred oak grove - from being cut down. Jaanus Hiis, the Friend of Sacred Groves of 10224 (2011) stopped the clear-cutting of Maardu sacred grove located near to his home.
Maavalla Koda also recognized activities that have contributed into the research, appreciation and protection of sacred sites. Gratitude letters were given to the support group of sacred sites at the Parliament of Estonia, the folk metal band Metsatöll, Estonian Fund for Nature, Ester Vaiksaar (a teacher of Valjala upper school) and the people of Napi village (Setomaa).
Photos of the event:
http://www.maavald.ee/kuvad/?tee=algus&kuvad=17
Photos: Mana Kaasik