Kyiv mayor lights up Ukraine’s main Christmas tree
The holiday season kicked off in Ukraine’s capital on Dec. 18 as Kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klitschko lit up the country’s main Christmas tree – a 31-meters-tall fir tree decorated with over 20,000 ornaments and 10 kilometers of Christmas lights – on the city’s central Sofiivska Square.
The base of the tree depicts the biblical scene of the Nativity, with the figures of Jesus, Mary, Joseph, shepherds, kings, angels and carols singers.
The Christmas tree will be on display until Jan. 16. A number of attractions have also open on Sofiivska Square, including Kyiv’s traditional Christmas market, a skating rink, photo zones, a museum of Christmas decorations, food courts, and more.
During his speech, Klitschko addressed the Russian Federation concerning a possible Russian invasion this winter: "There’s no need to try to scare us. We don’t want to be in the Russian Empire. We see our future in a large European family,” Klitschko said.
Another public Christmas-themed attraction opened on Dec. 19 on the observation deck near the Peoples’ Friendship Arch in central Kyiv, including a Christmas tree and a lounge area with heated tables and hot drinks.
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