One of the world's most famous Christmas trees has just been cut down in the idyllic forest of Grefsenkleiva in Norway.
The Lord Mayor of Westminster assisted in the felling on 21 November of the tree that will make its way to stand as Trafalgar Square's Christmas tree in the heart of London. This year’s tree stands 20 metres tall and is 56 years old.
“For many Londoners, the lighting of the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree marks the unofficial start of the festive period,” says Cllr Robert Rigby, a practising Catholic previously <a href="https://catholicherald.co.uk/interview-former-catholic-union-president-becomes-lord-mayor-of-westminster/"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">interviewed</mark></a> by the <em>Catholic Herald</em> upon taking up his post as Lord Mayor of Westminster.
“Thousands come to see the lights get switched on and millions more enjoy the tree during December. On behalf of the City of Westminster, I want to extend a heartfelt thanks to the people of Oslo and Norway for this gift. They have done a tremendous job as ever – the tree looks majestic."
The Lord Mayor added: “It is a huge privilege to be a part of this wonderful tradition and wish it a safe journey back to London.”
The annual tradition of Norway sending a tree to London began in 1947 as an expression of gratitude for the support Norway received from the UK during World War II. When Norway was invaded in 1940, the King of Norway, Haakon VII, took refuge in Britain and the Norwegian government-in-exile was established in London.
As a result, the tree holds a very important symbolic meaning for the two cities and now symbolises more than just gratitude, notes the Lord Mayor’s office, standing for friendship between cities and countries, peace and solidarity. It adds that in a world marked by instability, symbols of friendship, solidarity and hope become even more important, a feeling echoed in Norway.
“The Christmas tree gift from Oslo to London is a tradition that symbolises the strong bond between our cities,” says Mayor of Oslo Anne Lindboe. “The gift represents gratitude, friendship and peace, and is just as significant today as it was 77 years ago.”
The tree will now travel from the forest outside Oslo for over 180km to the port of Brevik, where it will be loaded on to a ship bound for Immingham in Lincolnshire, before making the trip to London.
Once the tree arrives in Trafalgar Square, it will be decorated with lightbulbs, before being switched on by Cllr Rigby and Mayor Lindboe in the traditional ceremony on Thursday, 5 December.
“It isn’t Christmas in the UK until the Trafalgar Square tree arrives, and we are ever thankful for this amazing gift,” says British Ambassador to Norway Jan Thompson.
“It has brought joy to generations of Londoners, and for many people visiting London during the holiday season it is as essential to see the Norwegian tree as to go Christmas shopping in Oxford Street or catch a show in the West End.”
<em>Photo: A crowd gathers in the forest of Grefsenkleiva before the tree destined for Trafalgar Square is chopped down (image courtesy Lord Mayor's office).</em>
