A time-honoured London tradition has been the lighting of the Norwegian ChristmasTreein the heart of the famous Trafalgar Square during the Christmasseason each year.
The beautifully lit Christmas treeand the air filled with the lilting voices of carol singers in the evenings at Trafalgar Square signal the countdown to Christmasfor most Londoners.
The tree certainly has a fascinating history...
Since 1947, a Christmas tree has been presented by the people of Norway to the people of London as a mark of gratitude for Britain's support for Norway during World War II.
The tree is a continuing symbol of peace and of friendship between the two countries.
The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree is usually a Norwegian spruce, towering well over 20 metres in height and is usually 50-60 years old.
The tree is chosen specially from the forests surrounding Oslo, often months, and even years, in advance.
The tree that finally makes its way to London for Christmas has been described by the Norwegian foresters as the 'the queen of the forest'.
Sometime in November, the tree selected as the Christmas tree is felled in a solemn ceremony in Oslo, attended by the Lord Mayor of Westminster, the British ambassador to Norway and the Mayor of Oslo.
It is then brought to the UK by sea, completing the final leg of its long journey by road.
A specialist rigging team then erects the 20-25 metres tall tree in Trafalgar Square employing a hydraulic crane.
At the base of the tree stands a plaque, bearing the words: 'This tree is given by the city of Oslo as a token of Norwegian gratitude to the people of London for their assistance during the years 1940-45.
' The Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree is decorated in traditional Norwegian style with hundreds of individual white lights - energy-efficient bulbs - running vertically on all sides.
The twinkling 20 - 25 metres tall tree has today become an iconic London Christmas image.
The tree is lit during a short ceremony in Trafalgar Square on the first Thursday in December (close to Advent Sunday).
The Lord Mayor of Westminster, accompanied by a band and a choir, performs the honours of lighting the tree with the flick of a switch, and formally announces its arrival in London from the forests surrounding Oslo.
The ceremony is a much-awaited one and is attended by thousands of people gathered around the Square.
The Norwegian Christmas Tree in Trafalgar Square provides an arresting background to the traditional Christmas carolling groups.
From Advent Sunday till Christmas Day, groups of carol singers perform daily next to the tree in the evenings, helping to raise money for various charities.
In 2009, over 50 groups performed Christmas carols in the square, to raise funds for several charities.
The tree remains in Trafalgar Square right up to 6th January (the Twelfth Night after Christmas), after which it is taken down for recycling.
The beautifully lit Christmas treeand the air filled with the lilting voices of carol singers in the evenings at Trafalgar Square signal the countdown to Christmasfor most Londoners.
The tree certainly has a fascinating history...
Since 1947, a Christmas tree has been presented by the people of Norway to the people of London as a mark of gratitude for Britain's support for Norway during World War II.
The tree is a continuing symbol of peace and of friendship between the two countries.
The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree is usually a Norwegian spruce, towering well over 20 metres in height and is usually 50-60 years old.
The tree is chosen specially from the forests surrounding Oslo, often months, and even years, in advance.
The tree that finally makes its way to London for Christmas has been described by the Norwegian foresters as the 'the queen of the forest'.
Sometime in November, the tree selected as the Christmas tree is felled in a solemn ceremony in Oslo, attended by the Lord Mayor of Westminster, the British ambassador to Norway and the Mayor of Oslo.
It is then brought to the UK by sea, completing the final leg of its long journey by road.
A specialist rigging team then erects the 20-25 metres tall tree in Trafalgar Square employing a hydraulic crane.
At the base of the tree stands a plaque, bearing the words: 'This tree is given by the city of Oslo as a token of Norwegian gratitude to the people of London for their assistance during the years 1940-45.
' The Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree is decorated in traditional Norwegian style with hundreds of individual white lights - energy-efficient bulbs - running vertically on all sides.
The twinkling 20 - 25 metres tall tree has today become an iconic London Christmas image.
The tree is lit during a short ceremony in Trafalgar Square on the first Thursday in December (close to Advent Sunday).
The Lord Mayor of Westminster, accompanied by a band and a choir, performs the honours of lighting the tree with the flick of a switch, and formally announces its arrival in London from the forests surrounding Oslo.
The ceremony is a much-awaited one and is attended by thousands of people gathered around the Square.
The Norwegian Christmas Tree in Trafalgar Square provides an arresting background to the traditional Christmas carolling groups.
From Advent Sunday till Christmas Day, groups of carol singers perform daily next to the tree in the evenings, helping to raise money for various charities.
In 2009, over 50 groups performed Christmas carols in the square, to raise funds for several charities.
The tree remains in Trafalgar Square right up to 6th January (the Twelfth Night after Christmas), after which it is taken down for recycling.
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