Christmas Trees from Around the World
Print This Story
December 25th, 2009 by Prieur du Plessis, Investment Postcards from Cape Town
Twitter It! | Email This Article
The Capitol Christmas tree in Washington , D.C. , is decorated with 3,000 ornaments that are the handiwork of US choolchildren. Encircling evergreens in the “Pathway of Peace” represent the 50 US states.
The world’s largest Christmas tree display rises up the slopes of Monte Ingino outside of Gubbio, in Italy ’s Umbria region.
Composed of about 500 lights connected by 40,000 feet of wire, the “tree” is a modern marvel for an ancient city.
A Christmas tree befitting Tokyo’s nighttime neon display is projected onto the exterior of the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka.
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 mountains in the southern Czech Republic.
Venice’s Murano Island renowned throughout the world for its quality glasswork is home to the tallest glass tree in the world. Sculpted by master glass blower Simone Cenedese, the artistic Christmas tree is a modern reflection of the holiday season.
Moscow celebrates Christmas according to the Russian Orthodox calendar on January 7. 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 yolka, which is traditionally a fir.
The largest Christmas tree in Europe (more than 230 feet tall) can be found in the Praça do Comércio in Lisbon, Portugal. Thousands of lights adorn the tree, adding to the special enchantment of the city during the holiday season.
“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.
Ooh la la Galeries Lafayette! In Paris, even the Christmas trees are chic. With its monumental, baroque dome, plus 10 stories of lights and high fashion, it’s no surprise this show-stopping department store draws more visitors than the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower.
In addition to the Vatican’s heavenly evergreen, St. Peter’s Square in Rome hosts a larger-than-life nativity scene in front of the obelisk.
The Christmas tree that greets revelers at the Puerta del Sol is dressed for a party. Madrid’s two-week celebration makes millionaires along with merrymakers. On December 22, a lucky citizen will win El Gordo (the fat one), the world’s biggest lottery.
A token of gratitude for Britain’s aid during World War II, the Christmas tree in London’s Trafalgar Square has been the annual gift of the people of Norway since 1947.
Drink a glass of gluhwein from the holiday market at the Romer, Frankfurt’s city hall since 1405, and enjoy a taste of Christmas past.
Against a backdrop of tall, shadowy firs, a rainbow trio of Christmas trees lights up the night (location unknown).
Source: Unknown (arrived from somewhere in my inbox)
Dr. Prieur du Plessis is an investment professional with 26 years' experience in investment research and portfolio management. More than 1,200 of his articles on investment-related topics have been published in various regular newspaper, journal and Internet columns, including his blog, Investment Postcards from Cape Town. He has also published a book, Financial Basics: Investment. Prieur is Chairman and principal shareholder of South African-based Plexus Asset Management, which he founded in 1995. The group conducts investment management, investment consulting, private equity and real estate activities in South Africa and a number of foreign countries. He also serves as Honorary Consul of Slovenia for South Africa, actively developing economic, cultural and scientific relations between Slovenia and South Africa. Prieur is 54 years old and live with his wife, television producer and presenter Isabel Verwey, and two children in Cape Town, South Africa. His leisure activities include long-distance running, traveling, reading, motor-cycling and scripophily. Read more from the author/contributor here.
Related Posts
Tags: Baroque Dome, Christmas Market, Christmas Trees, Father Frost, Gothic Facades, Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka, Karwendel Mountains, Lisbon Portugal, Master Glass Blower, Murano Island, Oh Christmas Tree Oh Christmas Tree, Ooh La La, Prince Hotel, Russian Orthodox Calendar, Snow Maiden, Sumava Mountains, Tiny Chapel, Umbria Region, Wondrous Sight, YolkaPosted in Markets |
