23 November 2012
A gift from the city of Oslo to the people of London"
A gift from the city of Oslo to the people of London
The respective Mayors after making the ceremonial cut
One of the most famous Christmas trees in the world began its journey to London this week. In the forest of Østmarka just outside of Oslo, a 21 metre Norwegian tree was carefully selected as the 2012 Christmas tree for Trafalgar Square in London.
The Mayor of Oslo – Fabian Stang, and the Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Westminster – Councillor Angela Harvey made the initial ceremonial cut before forestry workers completed the felling of the 115-118 year old tree.
Brownies from the International school and Children from the local Lutvann Primary school were invited and sang Christmas carols in Norwegian and English to help mark the occasion.
After the tree cutting ceremony the Ambassador hosted a tea party at The Residence which was attended by the Mayor of the Oslo, The Mayor of Westminster, pupils from the primary school, contacts from the City of Oslo and guests of the Ambassador.
The annual gift from the city of Oslo is a token of gratitude for the assistance given to Norway from 1940 to 1945 and has been given annually since 1947. When the tree reaches London Trafalgar Square it will be carefully erected and decorated with ornaments and lights before the official lighting ceremony on the 6th December. A plaque at the foot of the tree reads:
“This tree is given by the city of Oslo
As a token of Norwegian gratitude to
the people of London for their assistance
during their assistance during the years 1940-1945."
The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree is an iconic image of London during the festive season and forms the focal point for the traditional singing of Christmas carols in the square.
The Mayor of Oslo – Fabian Stang, and the Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Westminster – Councillor Angela Harvey made the initial ceremonial cut before forestry workers completed the felling of the 115-118 year old tree.
Brownies from the International school and Children from the local Lutvann Primary school were invited and sang Christmas carols in Norwegian and English to help mark the occasion.
After the tree cutting ceremony the Ambassador hosted a tea party at The Residence which was attended by the Mayor of the Oslo, The Mayor of Westminster, pupils from the primary school, contacts from the City of Oslo and guests of the Ambassador.
The annual gift from the city of Oslo is a token of gratitude for the assistance given to Norway from 1940 to 1945 and has been given annually since 1947. When the tree reaches London Trafalgar Square it will be carefully erected and decorated with ornaments and lights before the official lighting ceremony on the 6th December. A plaque at the foot of the tree reads:
“This tree is given by the city of Oslo
As a token of Norwegian gratitude to
the people of London for their assistance
during their assistance during the years 1940-1945."
The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree is an iconic image of London during the festive season and forms the focal point for the traditional singing of Christmas carols in the square.
