Greek capital Athens officially launched the holiday season on Thursday evening, when Mayor Kostas Bakoyiannis pressed the button to illuminate the Christmas Tree at Syntagma square.
With the Christmas tree illumination Athens sent a message of peace, unity, solidarity and love everywhere in the world tonight.
Music, light, colors and impressive surprises made up a brilliant evening.
Hundreds of Athenians and visitors had flocked to Syntagma Square opposite the Parliament to watch the glittering event, accompanied by the sounds of live music.
The 21-meter-high tree traveled from Karpenisi in south Epirus to Athens and was set up in the most central square of the city.
The Christmas Tree is illuminated with thousands of lights and is decorated with thousands of boules and ornaments.
Present at the event were also mayors from 25 cities from foreign countries who were in Athens for a municipalities conference.
The mayors sent also their own Festive messages.
Video: Full event
From December 1st and for more than a month, Athenians and visitors to the city will have the opportunity to live unique holiday experiences, in every part of it.
In the center of the city and in 129 neighborhoods, a rich program of events designed for young and old and curated by the Culture, Sports & Youth Organization of the Municipality of Athens (OPANDA), the Technopolis of the Municipality of Athens, the Athens Culture Net of the Municipality of Athens, This is Athens , and the city radio station Athens 9.84 FM, will reportedly include, among other things, activities for the whole family, musical performances, “Christmas villages”, parties, impressive shows, an original Christmas Market in Omonia Square, as well as many festive surprises.
Detailed Athens Christmas program from Dec 1, 2022, to Jan 7, 2023, here.
