Photos: The Oslo Tree lit up

The lights on the Oslo Tree were switched on at Austurvöllur yesterday in a festive ceremony attended by a large crowd, despite rather dreary weather.

For decades, the city of Oslo gifted Reykjavík a Christmas tree that the mayor would officially light at Austurvöllur. That tradition has now come to an end, as Oslo’s city leaders have instead decided to contribute to strengthening reading culture by donating books to Icelandic primary schools. The change comes amid frequent media discussion about declining reading habits in the so-called literary nation of the north.

The Christmas tree, which now comes from Heiðmörk, will nonetheless shine the nation’s path into the newly begun Advent season and the festival of light and peace — and, hopefully, of books as well.