The lighting ceremony of the 63rd Norwegian Christmas tree given to London took place, as usual, in Trafalgar Square. The Lord Mayor of Westminster and the Governing Mayor of Oslo spoke at the ceremony, which was accompanied the Salvation Army orchestra and the Choir of St Martin in the Fields.
Also this Christmas, the Poetry Society and the Norwegian Embassy bring poetry to Trafalgar Square - two new poems have been transferred to 24-metres long panels, which encircle the trunk of the Christmas Tree. "Tree Song" by Kit Wright is based on ideas from poems of children from Westminster primary schools, while "Snow and Spruce Forest" is a new version by Kevin Crossley-Holland after a poem by Norwegian poet Tarjei Vesaas. The poems are on display from 4 December to 23 December.
The Christmas tree is perhaps the most important symbol of Britain and Norway's warm relationship. The first tree was brought over in 1947 as a token of Norwegian appreciation of British friendship during the Second World War. When Norway was invaded by German forces in 1940, King Haakon VII escaped to Britain and a Norwegian exile government was set up in London. To most Norwegians, London came to represent the spirit of freedom during those difficult years. From London, the latest war news was broadcast in Norwegian, along with a message and information network which became vital to the resistance movement and which gave the people in Norway inspiration and hope of liberation.
The tree has become a symbol of the close and warm relationship between the people of Britain and Norway. Norwegians are happy and proud that this token of their friendship - probably the most famous Christmas tree in the world - seems to have become so much a part of Christmas for Londoners.
The tree itself, a Norwegian spruce (Picea abies), is chosen with great care. Selected from the forests surrounding Oslo, it is normally earmarked for its pride of place in London’s Trafalgar Square several months, even years, in advance. The Norwegian foresters who look after it describe it fondly as 'the queen of the forest'.
Mayor of Oslo, Fabian Stang, and Lord Mayor of Westminster, Duncan Sandys, cutting the tree that will be lit in London on 3 December. Photo: Runar Nørstad/ANBAnother important tradition is the Norwegian Christmas Concert in St-Martin's-in-the-Fields. This year, the Nils Økland Ensemble, author and musician Ketil Bjørnstad, and singer Anneli Drecker will perform.
Nils Økland and Ensemble
Åsne Valland Nordli Voice
Rolf -Erik Nystrøm Saxophone
Håkon Mørch Stene Percussion
Mats Eilertsen Double bass
Nils Økland Fiddles
Anneli Drecker Vocal
Ketil Bjørnstad Piano
Norwegian Christmas Concert
4 December, 7.30pm
St Martin’s in the Fields
Trafalgar Square
London WC2N 4JJ