11-12-2009: “City of Athens launches Christmas events”

With the
lighting of the Christmas tree and a spectacular fireworks show the City of Athens tonight launched
the Christmas and New Year's events at Syntagma
Square.




Athens Mayor
Nikitas Kaklamanis marked the start of the City's events and invited everyone
to spread a little more optimism, compassion, sensitivity and love in order to
experience the true meaning of Christmas.




Minutes
before the lighting of the city, Mayor Kaklamanis
said a few words in regards to the unique Christmas tree that adorns Syntagma Square
this year: "This year, the tree of the city of Athens is one of a kind. It is not just an
environmentally friendly tree made from recycled or recyclable materials nor is
it a real tree cut from a controlled plantation that would simply be recycled
after the holidays.




It is a tree
created from natural trees. 250 natural fir trees and their roots have made up our tree this year. And
the best part? These trees - that will be watered here for three weeks - will be planted in Attica's
most fire-ravaged areas after the holiday season, this way acquiring new life themselves and in turn
giving life to the Basin's residents.




In this way
we would like to send a message, in practice as well, to the residents and
visitors of our city: that the City and the Environment are one and that it is
up to all of us to protect the environment by changing our habits to help our
city, our country and our planet to breathe".




The Mayor of
Athens did not neglect to thank the City's employees who all contributed to the
city's festive appearance and he particularly thanked the workers from the
electrical and cleaning departments.




Concluding
his brief greeting, Mayor Kaklamanis
set a date for next year to switch on the lights of the Christmas tree together
with all Athenians: "Be certain that next year, all together, you and me, me
and you, will be here again to light the Christmas tree".




Syntagma Square was then filled with lights and
colours, while the City of Athens Philharmonic and the City of Athens
Music Ensembles group De Stijl, under the guidance of chairman
Yiorgos Katsaros, gave
beautiful musical moments to the hundreds of citizens that participated in the
first Christmas celebration of Athens.