a Christmas story as much as a tradition

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M.Boisseau, C. Madini, O. Briand, M.Septembre, C.Dubrul – France 2

France Televisions

It is one of the Christmas must-haves among our English friends: the famous Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, in the heart of London, is the fruit of a long tradition, since the tree is donated by Norway to the English capital. since 1947. Its appearance, however, arouses some criticism.

London, city of light. The weather of the month of December, the British capital deserves the nickname of its Parisian rival. Everything about her shines, from the shopping streets to the Christmas market, to some of her pubs. Yet it is another, less flamboyant tradition that lights up the hearts of its inhabitants: the Trafalgar Square fir tree. It is certainly not the most beautiful, but the most endearing, because this tree comes from afar. Last month, journalists from France Televisions followed in his footsteps, to Norway, whose forests have provided Trafalgar fir since 1947.

Here is the one of this year, in the suburbs of Oslo. A 22-meter spruce top, in its seventies, with a young choir at its feet, celebrating the big day, that of the cup. The tradition has not changed for 74 years. The Mayor of Oslo receives the Lord Mayor of Westminster, in other words the ambassador of the emblematic district of central London. “It is the symbol of two nations which stood together during the war”, says Andrew Smith. The tree is greeted with honors, official ceremony for its installation. A story of friendship between two countries, more than a beauty contest.


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