TIL Dec 2017

4
The stunning Christmas Tree 2017 by
Karl Lagerfeld in the foyer of Claridge’s
Hotel in Mayfair.
70TH ANNIVERSARY: TRAFALGAR
SQUARE CHRISTMAS TREE
The Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree
is set to be switched on at a ceremony
on Thursday 7 December. This year
marks the 70th anniversary of the tree.
The first one was donated in 1947.
Dignitaries including the Lord Mayor
of Westminster and the Mayor of Oslo
will light up the tree at a ceremony that
includes a performance from St Martinin-the-Fields
Choir, carol singing,
speeches and poetry from St. Joseph’s
Primary School children.
The tree will be decorated in a
traditional Norwegian style with vertical
strings of lights – around 900 energyefficient
light bulbs will be used, a total
of 400 metres of cable. The tree is one
of remembrance as opposed to
celebration hence the lower key lighting
and decoration compared to other parts
of Westminster.
The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree
is the city of Oslo's traditional Christmas
gift to the City of Westminster as a token
of thanks for British support during the
years of occupation. When Norway was
invaded in 1940, the King of Norway,
Haakon VII, sought refuge in Britain and
the Norwegian government was
established in London. To most
Norwegians, London represented the
spirit of freedom during these difficult
war years. From London, news
broadcasts were made in Norwegian and
this inspired the people of Norway and
kept their hope of freedom alive.
The Norwegian Christmas tree in
Trafalgar Square has come to symbolise
the close and warm relationship between
the people of Norway and the people of
Britain. In the build-up to Christmas,
40 carol groups each sing for an hour
beneath the world-famous Christmas
tree. These free Christmas carol concerts
in Trafalgar Square raise funds for
voluntary and charitable organisations.
FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF
WORLD ATHLETES AT LONDON
STADIUM
Hot on the heels of the IAAF World
Athletics and World Para Athletics
Championships, tours around the former
Olympic Stadium are available to book
now.
The tour gives exclusive access to
usually private areas of the stadium,
superstar interviews and unique photo
opportunities. Visitors will be able to
reimagine the success of the Super
Saturday athletes as they made their
preparations on the warm up track and
out to the main arena where the roar of
the crowds spurred them on to gold.
And football fans will not be left
disappointed as they follow in the
footsteps of their heroes from the
changing rooms and make the walk
along the players’ tunnel, out to the
manager’s dug out before standing pitch
side.
Ideal for all, including families, the
stadium comes alive through a 75
minute interactive multimedia tour that
has been specifically developed for the
venue. www.london-stadium.com
t h i s i s l o n d o n m a g a z i n e • t h i s i s l o n d o n o n l i n e