The next Christmas tree to be erected at Austurvöllur has been felled in Norway, and will soon arrive in Iceland.
In a Facebook post from Reykjavík Mayor Dagur B. Eggertsson, the mayor can be seen with the deputy mayor of Oslo, Khamshajiny Gunaratnam, sawing down the next tree to grace Austurvöllur, the public square in front of parliament. Khamshajiny will accompany the tree to Iceland, and take part in its lighting, which is scheduled for the first day of Advent (this year, November 29).
The Oslo Tree, as it is often called, is typically raised in Austurvöllur, in front of parliament. Icelanders received a scare last year when Norwegian authorities said it would be too expensive to send a tree this year. The outcry was such that the Oslo Business Council re-assessed the situation, and decided to send a tree after all.
While last year’s tree was ultimately torn down by high winds, Christmas was saved when a new tree was cut down near Rauðavatn Lake, here in Iceland.
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