Not wanting to be seen as Scrooges, the Norwegian capital Oslo has decided against scrapping its annual Christmas tree gifts to Rotterdam, Reykjavik and London, despite the the cost to the Norwegian taxpayer.
Faced with harsh budget cuts, city officials have already stopped sending the festive freebies to Washington and Antwerp.
According to Aften newspaper, cost cutters were considering dumping Rotterdam from the Christmas list, as the city is believed to be of little value to Oslo’s PR status.
After tallying up the cost of scrapping the annual tradition altogether, cancelling lighting ceremonies, or letting just the Dutch city go without, Oslo has, however, decided to extend good will to all.
Last year, the gratis tree cutting, shipping and lighting ceremonies cost the Norwegian taxpayer NOK 780,000 (EUR 101,000).
Demonstrating that the free spruces are a symbol of the close ties between the countries, Stian Berger Rosland, head of Oslo’s city government, will attend the tree-lighting ceremony in Trafalgar Square, while other officials will head to Rotterdam and Reykjavik for their celebrations.
The Oslo Christmas trees are iconic symbols of Christmas in all three cities and have been enthusiastically welcomed by locals for many years.
It has been a tradition since 1947, and was given as thanks to hospitality and help during the war. The Norwegian excile government was in London 1940-1945. Nortraship – the Norwegian merchant fleet – which probably was the most important Norwegian contribution in the war was also established in London. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nortraship )
I live far away from Oslo, but three trees from my region (Stavanger) are sent to UK as well :-). This tradition goes back to 1962.
http://www.naturogidrett.no/aktuelt/juletre2011/
I know of the tree – it’s been there every year since the end of the Second World War. There is usually a sign that says it is given in gratitude by the Norwegians for the British contribution in WWII to freeing Norway (or something similar – not sure of the exact words). A nice touch and well appreciated.
I knew about the tree, but I hadn’t really taken in that it was a gift from Norway. Now that I think about it, I might have heard a presenter mention it a couple of years ago.
When I asked my wife, she said she “thought it was a gift; from somewhere like Norway?” So perhaps my ignorance tells you more about me than it does about the tree :) . Mind you, she grew up in Greater London (which, contrary to what my name might suggest, I didn’t) and has worked 5 mins from Trafalgar Square for the past 15 years.
Hi Bromley86,
Good point you make above and I don’t usually weigh into the comments here for various reasons; but have you really never heard of the big Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square?
Thanks for your comment and for reading IceNews
Alex, editor
EUR 101,000! For 3 f***ing trees! (Or was it 5 – oh, that’s okay then.)
(I know, no swearing, but really!)
This is the problem with the public sector :) .
>The Oslo Christmas trees are iconic symbols of Christmas in all three cities
I have never heard of the Oslo tree. It seems that that tree and £2 will get you a cup of coffee.
Icelandic protesters lit the Oslo tree 2009.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTzKlxILf00&feature=player_embedded
I wonder if the Christmas spirit from the banks and parliament will make us this cheerful again.