Howard Rosen, Mon-Lin Kuo, Barry Goodell, Chung-Yun Hse, and Kevin Cheung represented SWST at the 3rd World Wood Day (WWD) celebrations in Odunpazarı District of Eskisehir Turkey with the theme Wood and Humanity. (See picture, Kevin Chueng, not shown). Though World Wood Day is celebrated on March 21st each year, the official events began on March 6th with a 2½ -week international, collaborative timber “bridge” project and ended in Istanbul March 31 with a special 4-day program related to wooden architecture and timber construction in the Şişli District of Istanbul.  About 380 people from 93 countries participated in presenting this major event with excellent support from the District of Odunpazarı (which translates to “wood market” in English).

Booths and tents were setup so that the hundreds of people of all ages from the general public and other could view and learn from woodcarvers, wood turners, furniture makers, folk arts workshops. Events also included demonstrations and, performances of various wooden musical instruments. Special children’s events were included over several days.   (Enrique Males from Ecuador, a wooden instrument maker and entertainer is shown at his booth.) A technical symposium with 31 speakers ran over two days under the heading of Wood and Humanity: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Sustainable Development.  The topics focused on raising awareness of current issues and enhancing multidisciplinary discussions for the crucial role of wood in human civilization and the environment.  The day after WWD, many of the attendees traveled to a local community park area to plant black pine tree saplings to emphasize the need for a sustainable source of trees for both beauty and products.

Two unique highlights of the 2015 celebration included  an international, collaborative project with 23 artisans from 17 countries that designed and constructed a timber “bridge” (arch)  and erected it in the town square a few blocks from the venue of the meeting (see accompanying photo of the arch, artisans and Odunpazarı officials).  The second highlight was the integration of performances and demonstrations from 13 musical groups from 15 different countries that combined wooden instruments with song and dance. Many times throughout the celebrations, these musicians shared their talents in creative musical performances including the Opening Ceremony, the Welcome Dinner, and two musical concerts.

More details and pictures from these meetings and tours can be found at the World Wood Day 2015 websites http://www.worldwoodday.org/2015/  and https://www.facebook.com/worldwoodday.

 

Howard Rosen

WWD Foundation, Chair

IUFRO 5.10.01 Wood Culture Working Party Chair