President Laporta plants tree in the Jerusalem hills

The FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta took part today Tuesday in the ceremony of planting a tree in the hills of Jerusalem invited by the Keren Kayemet Lelsrael Foundation (KKL), an organisation that fights against desertification by repopulating forests in Israel and working to promote environmental protection.

Laporta, who is currently in the country to attend the opening of 'Barça The Exhibition' and the Barça Legends game against Real Madrid, spoke about the pleasure it has given him to support a project like this, while also thanking the Israeli people for their love of Barça.

"KKL invited FC Barcelona to plant a tree" he said. "Such a modest gesture is full of meaning because it helps a land like this to prosper and ensure a better quality of life for the people who live here. It also makes Israel sustainable for future generations."

"We Catalans are open to the world, and so our club is open to the world too. We have always promoted togetherness, fraternity, equality, freedom and peace. And we are creating a fraternity with a people who work for their customs and to be enterprising.”

Laporta had the chance to take part in the prayer session prior to the ceremony of planting of a cypress tree on one of the hills surrounding the city of Jerusalem. The other members of the Barça expedition  also joined in by each planting a carob tree. KKL is an organisation recognised by the United Nations with more than 120 years of history promoting actions in support of the environment by planting of forests, among other actions.

The president was joined today by the vice-president of KKL, Hernán Felman, who he presented with a Barça shirt. Felman said it was "an honour" and said he hoped Laporta will be able to return one day and see the tree fully grown

Barça exhibition 

Produced by FC Barcelona in association with events and entertainments firm Proactiv, Barça The Exhibition features nine different rooms, and as they explore them visitors can use an audioguide based around a grandfather talking to his grandson, and showcasing the team’s greatest achievements, its style of play and even using a 360º surround space to create the illusion of really standing inside the stadium.

Fans can also enjoy interactive gaming in the Play Barça section and visit the hall of fame, Making History, where they get to admire team and individual trophies and different articles used and signed by Barça stars of past and present. The display was created in collaboration with the Barça Museum.

On Monday 19 July FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta will be present at a Gala Dinner organised for the Barça Legends 'Clásico' against Real Madrid ahead of attending the game itself the following day.