A Forest of Hope has opened in the Canadian city of Markham to mark the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

During the solemn ceremony on September 24, trees were planted in the forest as a symbol of peace, yorkregion.com reports.

The ceremony was attended by federal, provincial and municipal government officials, as well as members of the Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee for Canada.

“This small forest conveys an enormous message of new life. These young trees will establish deep roots, grow tall and their branches will reach for the sky — just like the Armenian community,” said provincial minister of international trade, Michael Chan.

The Forest of Hope is one of nearly 100 projects initiated by the Armenian community of Canada. Haig Seferian is the landscape architect of the park, which has about 100 different trees, all of them having different blooming time throughout the year.