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After a difficult year with more than 60,000 deaths and huge economic losses for Italian families and businesses caused by the coronavirus pandemic, this Christmas season more than ever Italians need light and hope.
Authorities across the country have responded for Christmas by lighting special trees.
On the eve of the Immaculate Conception, May 7, Gubbio, in the Umbria region of central Italy, lit the world’s largest Christmas tree on the slopes of Mount Igino, overlooking the medieval city.
The Christmas tree, which has been traditionally lit every year since 1981, is over 750 meters high and is built in honor of the town’s patron saint, San Ubaldo. Its more than 700 multi-colored lights and the star at the top of the tree will remain lit from dusk until late at night at least until Epiphany.
Residents and visitors can adopt a light for charity and this year’s funds will go to the international humanitarian organization Save the Children.
The mayor of Rome, Virginia Raggi, turned on the 100,000 LED lights of the city’s Christmas tree in Piazza Venezia on Tuesday night.
Christmas lights were also turned on in the main commercial thoroughfare, Via del Corso, and light shows illuminate the three historic fountains in the central Piazza Navona, where the Christmas mark had to be canceled due to Covid-19.
Milan Laureates
The award for the most incredible Christmas tree exhibition this year goes to the city of Milan, in northern Italy, particularly affected by the pandemic, which has wanted to give an extra light to its streets and squares for the joy of their habitants. The special tree installations were created by sponsors who joined a project entitled
“The Christmas of the trees”, devised by Marco Balich, known for his opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games. More than 20 artistic and highly creative trees were lit on this week’s Saint Ambroge’s Day, patron saint of the city.
“This year Milan will be looked at by the rest of the world also for the way it has chosen to celebrate Christmas. “The Christmas of the trees” is a demonstration of their ability to react with a vision of participation of all that is sustainable and creative, “said Balich.
“Creativity represents the soul and the future of the city, along with fashion and design, and in these particular times it has the responsibility to create moments of joy for all those who have chosen to live in Milan,” he added.
In Milan’s central Duomo square, The Tree of Gift, an invitation to remember the importance of giving, has been sponsored by Coca-Cola, which is working with the Food Bank to help those most in need and collect food products for at least two million meals. .
“Thanks to this project, characterized by suggestive installations that transmit universal messages of hope, sustainability and solidarity, Milan lights up for Christmas, dresses for a party that is even more important in such a difficult year and to reiterate to the world the extraordinary appeal of our city, which will continue to be among the most sought-after cities as an international tourist destination ”.
