Spectacular Christmas Tree Lighting in Athens’ Syntagma Square

The news in Greek

1. ξεκινώ
   Αρχίζω να κάνω κάτι, να ξεκινήσω μια διαδικασία. ↩︎
2. άναμμα (n.)
   Η πράξη του ανάβω κάτι, ειδικά φώτα. ↩︎
3. ταξιάρχης (m.)
   Ανώτερος στρατιωτικός βαθμός ή τίτλος σε κάποιους οργανισμούς. ↩︎
4. διακόσμηση (f.)
   Στοιχεία που τοποθετούνται για να κάνουν κάτι πιο όμορφο, συχνά σε γιορτές. ↩︎
5. ανακυκλωμένος
   Κάτι που έχει χρησιμοποιηθεί ξανά με διαδικασία ανακύκλωσης. ↩︎
6. εκδήλωση (f.)
   Οργανωμένη δημόσια δραστηριότητα ή γεγονός. ↩︎

Translation

Text Comprehension

Question: How tall is the Christmas tree in Syntagma Square?

Question: What materials are the decorations on the tree made from?

Vocabulary

Greek	English
ξεκινώ	to start
άναμμα (n.)	ignition
ταξιάρχης (m.)	brigadier
διακόσμηση (f.)	decoration
ανακυκλωμένος	recycled
εκδήλωση (f.)	event

Read the full story

This year’s centrepiece is a majestic 20-metre fir tree originating from Taxiarchis, Chalkidiki. Adorned with 20,000 lights and over 140 decorations crafted from recycled materials, the tree stands as a symbol of the city’s sustainable festive efforts. The lighting ceremony, infused with lively performances by Nefeli Fasouli and the Athens Big Band, added a musical flourish to the evening.

Hosted by presenters Nancy Zabetoglou and Thanasis Anagnostopoulos, the event transformed Syntagma Square into a scene reminiscent of classic fairy tales, complete with elves, stars, and charming nutcracker figures. The use of eco-friendly LED lights not only brightened the square but also demonstrated a commitment to reducing energy consumption, achieving a remarkable 55% energy savings during the festivities.

Athens’ mayor, Charis Doukas, addressed the attendees, inviting everyone to partake in the upcoming celebrations across the city and expressing his hope for a seamless light-up ceremony. He emphasized the city’s ambition to extend the holiday cheer beyond the central square to various neighbourhoods, with planned decorations and events in regions such as Monastiraki and Plaka.

An extensive array of holiday events is scheduled, highlighted by an elaborate celebration on December 21—marked as the longest night of winter. This occasion will feature simultaneous activities in seven squares across Athens, offering live music and a unique chronological tour through Christmas past decades.

Additionally, the tree, once its roles in the celebration conclude, will be donated to the School of Fine Arts in Athens to serve as material for students’ wood carving projects. This gesture underscores the city’s dedication to environmental consciousness and community enrichment through art.

As the festive lights glimmer across Athens, the city invites residents and tourists alike to immerse themselves in the “magic of Christmas” and enjoy the lively atmosphere set to brighten the capital for the weeks to come.

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