The news in Greek
Οι γιορτές ξεκινούν στην Αθήνα με το άναμμα ενός μεγάλου χριστουγεννιάτικου δέντρου στην Πλατεία Συντάγματος. Το δέντρο έχει 20 μέτρα ύψος και προέρχεται από την Ταξιάρχη . Έχει 20,000 φώτα και διακοσμήσεις από ανακυκλωμένα υλικά. Η εκδήλωση είχε μουσική και ήταν πολύ όμορφη. Δήμαρχος κάλεσε όλους να απολαύσουν τις γιορτές.
Translation
Festivities begin in Athens with the lighting of a large Christmas tree in Syntagma Square. The tree is 20 metres tall and comes from Taxiarchis. It features 20,000 lights and decorations made from recycled materials. The event included music and was very beautiful. The mayor invited everyone to enjoy the celebrations.
Exercise: Text comprehension
Question 1: How tall is the Christmas tree in Syntagma Square?
The Christmas tree is 20 meters tall.
Question 2: What materials are the decorations on the tree made from?
The decorations are made from recycled materials.
Exercise: Vocabulary
Read the full story
▌29/11/2024
The festive season has officially commenced in Athens with the grand illumination of a towering Christmas tree in Syntagma Square. On Thursday, November 28, 2024, a crowd gathered to witness the much-anticipated moment that marks the beginning of the holiday celebrations in the Greek capital.
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.
Spectacular Christmas Tree Lighting in Athens' Syntagma Square (Illustration)
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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