The Norwegian Christmas tree stands with its lights turned on at the end of a lighting ceremony in Trafalgar Square, in London.
(Picture: AP)The lights of the Trafalgar Square Christmas have been switched on in central London to mark the beginning of the festive season.
The large Spruce tree, which is a gift from Norway in recognition of the UK’s help during World War II, was lit up during a ceremony featuring a reading from the Poetry Society of its seasonal children’s poetry commission which will decorate the base of the tree.
The tree, which has been given every year since 1947, is a centrepiece at the London landmark every Christmas but has attracted some negatives comments due to its condition in recent years.
Writing on Twitter, one user said the tree looked like it had “been recycled” from a previous year while another person said they should have got “a plastic one down from the attic” instead.
But writing in the Evening Standard, Westminster’s Lord Mayor Hamza Taouzzale said the lighting of the tree was like “the unofficial start to London’s Yuletide”.
He said: “The lighting ceremony of the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree isn’t the first of the season.
“But when they go on, they certainly concentrate a few minds – for only the most Scrooge-like of curmudgeons would complain they are too early.”
A big thank you to everyone who came to see my #ChristmasLights being switched on 🎄✨ I look forward to seeing myrrh of you over the next coming weeks and don’t forget to share your #TrafalgarTree 📸 with me for a retreat 😉 #Christmas #Christmas2022 #ChristmasTree pic.twitter.com/lvtyjjRSOl
— Trafalgar Square Tree (@trafalgartree) December 1, 2022
It is 75 years since King Haakon VI of Norway sent the first tree to the city that had been his home when the Nazi invasion of Norway sent him and the Norwegian government into exile.
The Lord Mayor, who was joined at the ceremony by the Mayor of Oslo, said: “Haakon set up his government in exile in London, staying for a time at Buckingham Palace and later in Kensington.
“From here they continued to direct Norway’s war effort and the King made regular radio broadcasts encouraging the resisters. The months turned into years but following the defeat of the Germans, Haakon and his Government returned home to cheering crowds. But he never forgot his hosts and the bravery of those who had fought to keep the flame of Norwegian emancipation alive.
“In 1947, he sent a gift, a Christmas tree chopped down from the forests around Oslo, as a token of thanks and everlasting friendship between nations in the face of aggression.”
