Siberian taiga’s message to outer space

Foresters in the Siberian republic of Buryatia are sending a message to cosmonauts of the future. The words ‘Hello, spacemen’ have been written in giant letters in both Russian and English, formed by trees they’ve planted, which will be seen from orbit.

The message will become noticeable in a dozen years when the 40,000 seedlings planted in an area cleared by a recent forest fire grow up.

The initiative, proposed by the local youth city council, is meant as a tourist attraction. Buryatia, which borders the eastern coast of Lake Baikal, has high hopes for its tourist industry in the future.

The idea was inspired by a similar project in Siberia. Almost 40 years ago a tribute to Vladimir Lenin was created with a message made from trees saying “Lenin is 100 years old!” The message made the headlines earlier this year after it was discovered by the Google Maps service.

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