HERITAGE ACTUALITY OF SOCHI SISTER CITIES IN THE BOTANICAL GARDEN “THE FRIENDSHIP TREE”

The paper presents the analysis of the materials from the funds belonging to the Botanical Garden "the Friendship Tree", which are dedicated to the relationship of Sochi with its sister cities. The main reference sources were materials of the funds inventory count and fund cards of the authors who added their commemorative grafts in the botanical garden "the Friendship Tree", as well as the books of visitors' reviews and books for registering the gifts. In different years, since 1958, 56 commemorative grafts were added onto the Friendship Tree by representatives of Sochi sister cities. The reviews and wishes of the Gardeners of Friendship are cited. The story of the Friendship Tree’s appearance in the American sister city called Long Beach is described. The gifts collection of the Friendship Tree contains boxes with the earth brought from Sochi sister cities, i.e. Rimini, Trabzon, Parnu, Weihai.