Lights Lit on Oslo Tree in Reykjavík

Lights were lit on the Christmas tree on Austurvöllur square in Reykjavík yesterday, mbl.is reports. As usual, a large crowd attended the event. The tree, dubbed the Oslo Tree, is a gift to Reykjavík City from Norwegians.

Ever since 1951, Norwegians have given the city a Christmas tree, as a symbol of friendship between the two countries. From 1951 till 2014, the gift was shipped from Norway, but in recent years, its travel time has been shortened and, therefore, the carbon footprint decreased.

Norwegians happen to own a piece of land in Heiðmörk, near Reykjavík, and this is where the tree was cut – in Norðmannalundur.

Appropriately, a Norwegian-Icelandic boy – seven-year-old Hrafn Gunnarsson – assisted Mayor Dagur B. Eggertsson in lighting the tree.

A couple of Yule lads were present. They were in town ahead of schedule, for traditionally, the first of 13 arrives in town on December 12. Christmas songs were played – by Icelandic and Norwegian musicians alike.

Oslo City Councilmember Line Steine Oma addressed the gathering and delivered a gift of books by Norwegian authors, in Icelandic translation, intended for all grade schools in Reykjavík.