Oak Planted at Saint Sophia Cathedral Honors Anne of Kyiv, Queen of France

Ceremonial Oak Planting for Anne of Kyiv

According to Главком: A new oak tree has been planted within the grounds of the National Reserve of Saint Sophia of Kyiv to commemorate Anne of Kyiv, daughter of Grand Prince Yaroslav the Wise. This marks the fourth addition to the Alley of Kyiv Princesses, a dedicated space where trees already stand in honor of other notable women linked to the ruling dynasty. The planting was carried out by France’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Ukraine, Gaël Veyssière, alongside Nelya Kukovalska, the reserve’s Director General.

On the Alley of Kyiv Princesses-which previously saw trees planted for Ingigerda, Anastasia of Kyiv, and Elizabeth-the oak dedicated to Anne serves as a symbol of deepening ties between Ukraine and France. Gaël Veyssière highlighted the significance of the moment, stating:

'A tree has roots, and we aim for rooted relations between France and Ukraine. Ultimately, a tree bears fruit-that is exactly what we work toward as diplomats.' Gaël Veyssière

Historical Background of Anne of Kyiv

Anne of Kyiv-also known as Anna Yaroslavna, Anna Rurik, or Anne de Kyiv-lived from approximately 1032 until after 1075, but no later than 1089. She was a Kyivan princess who reigned as Queen of France from 1051 to 1060. Her father was Yaroslav the Wise, and her mother was the Swedish princess Ingigerda, daughter of King Olof III. Anne’s grandfather was Kyivan Prince Volodymyr the Great, and she married King Henry I of France.

Anne of Kyiv bore two sons: King Philip I of France and Hugh, Count of Vermandois, who became a leader of the First Crusade. Historical records, including documents from the 17th-century Kyiv Pechersk Monastery, preserve accounts of her activities and her influence on French culture-made possible through her dowry. A legend links Anne to the Reims Gospel, upon which French kings swore their oaths, underscoring her lasting significance in the history of both nations.

Planting an oak in honor of Anne of Kyiv not only celebrates a key historical figure but also reinforces the cultural and diplomatic bonds between Ukraine and France. This symbolic tree on the Alley of Kyiv Princesses serves as a reminder of a shared history that has evolved over centuries. Diplomatic gestures like this one can help strengthen bilateral relations and foster cooperation between the two countries in the modern era.