Monday, December 22, 2008

CHRISTMAS TREES AROUND THE WORLD







PRAGUE'S OLD TOWN SQUARE

ITALY
The top left photograph is of the world's largest Christmas tree display, rising up the slopes of Monte Ingino outside Gubbio in Italy's Umbria regions. Composed of 500 lights connected by 40,000 feet of wire, the 'tree' is a modern marvel for an ancient city.

AMERICA
The Capitol Christmas tree in Washington DC is decorated with 3,000 ornaments, the made by American schoolchildren. Encircling evergreens in the 'Pathway of Peace' represent the 50 US States.

GERMANY
'Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree'. Even in its humblest attire, aglow beside a tiny chapel in Germany's Karwendel Mountains, a Christmas tree is a wondrous sight.

PORTUGAL
The largest Christmas tree in Europe (over 230 feet tall) is found in the Praca do Comercio in Lisbon in the middle right photograph above. Thousands of lights adorn the tree adding to the special charm of the city at Christmas.

CZECH REPUBLIC
Illuminating the Gothic facades of Prague's Old Town Square, and casting its glow over the manger display of the famous Christmas market, is a grand tree cut in the Sumava Moutains in southern Czech Republic.

RUSSIA
Moscow celebrates Christmas according to the Russian Orthodox calendar on 7 January. For weeks beforehand the city is alive with festivities in anticipation of Father Frost's arrival on his magical troika with the Snow Maiden. He and his helper deliver gifts under the New Year tree, or yoka, which is traditionally a fir.

Tomorrow I am off to the Midlands, laden with gifts and food to celebrate Christmas with my two daughters and four small grandchildren so I will not be blogging again until next week.

May I wish you and your families a very Happy Christmas.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Have you stopped blogging, or are you away again on another one of those tax payer jollies?

Cllr Lynne Faulkner said...

Martin - If you read my Blog you would know that I am in the Midlands having a family Christmas and looking after my small grandchildren!

For the record, all my trips are financed by me. Remember that I am only a local Councillor not an MP!

Linda said...

I love the German one. Germany really knows how to capture the spirit of Christmas with its markets,etc.

Cllr Lynne Faulkner said...

Dear Darwin Reporter - I agree with you and have put another German photograph on my Blog for you

Anonymous said...

What happened to the Christmas tree in St Peter's street?

The Council used to have a lovely tree which used to be donated by a town in Finland.