Duarte, M.C., Garcia, C., Santo, A.E. & Soares, A.L. (Eds). (2023) Plantas da Bíblia nos Jardins de Belém – Lisboa. Edições Afrontamento, Lisboa. 152 pp. ISBN:9789723620054.
The driving force behind this book was Pope Francis' visit at Portugal as part of World Youth Day 2023, and the idea at the heart of his pontificate - fraternity among peoples and the ecological appeal to care for our Common Home. Belem, a parish of Lisbon and one of the stages hosting the WYD event, a timeless reference in the encounter between peoples and cultures, a historical setting enhanced by its beauty and monuments, surrounded by gardens and hemmed by the River Tagus, was chosen to be the protagonist, or perhaps the narrator of the journey of the plants proposed in this writing. Bringing together scientists, philosophers and other scholars, evoking sacred works, in particular the Bible, recalling traditions, noting symbolisms and myths, highlighting different beliefs and religions and distinguishing geographies and geologies were what prompted the Rectorate of the University of Lisbon, especially, and the WYD Project Group under my coordination to get down to work on this botanical and inter-religious venture, albeit with due humility. The support of D. Américo de Aguiar, President of the WYD Foundation, was the final sign to embark upon the path set before us. The result is this book that tells stories pertaining to nature and humankind, in a clear and simple manner, through this tree or that, or even a mere flower.
Maria Cristina Duarte Natural History & Systematics - NHS
