December 23#: Ghajnsielem Christmas Tree – Gozo Island – Malta

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2 years ago Nathan

From its Puritan roots to complaints of rampant commercialism, Christmas around the world is been filled with traditions, old and new. Some date back to 16th-century Germany or even ancient Greek times, while others have caught on only in modern times.

And, among them, Christmas trees are one of the most popular, now all over the world.
Their tradition is long and rich, and has resulted in some modern trees that run the gamut from breathtakingly beautiful, encapsulating everything that Christmas stands for, to something simply weird.
Thus, If you need a little help to get into the holiday spirit this year, get yourself a winter drink with some holiday treats and a tour of the world’s best or most unusual Christmas trees. These towering pines (or sand or bottle piles, in some cases) are decked to the nines and shine brightly for holiday season, from Florida, Brazil, Mexico all the way to Lithuania.

Welcome to our Advent Calendar 2021!
But, if this isn’t enough, don’t forget previous versions!
– Advent Calendar 2018
– Advent Calendar 2019
– Advent Calendar 2020

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If you want a sunny and ecological Christmas, choose, Għajnsielem on the island of Gozo, Malta, this year!
Over 4500 recycled bottles that were given by local people were needed to decorate this unique Christmas tree in the world.

The massive 19-metre Christmas tree is adorning the main square of Għajnsielem.
The tree, unveiled first time in 2020, dedicated to to the heroes and victims of COVID-19, has a steel skeleton, using more than two kilometres of metal, weighing more than 3.3 tons. It’s widest part measures over 8 metres.
The iron has over 5,350 pieces and required more than 30 kilogrammes of welding wire and more than 330 screws and nuts. The bottles were places on 4,200 washers while the Christmas tree was wrapped with more than 700 metres of wiring for more than 7,000 light bulbs.
Moreover, it is weighted down with more than 15 tons of cement blocks and the base is covered with more than 250 metres of wood.

The winter sunlight of Gozo pierces this fir tree during the day and lights it up at night offering an even more spectacular show.
Bethlehem f’Għajnsielem, which usually host a Christmas Village in the Gozitan village, said the tree is dedicated to all those people going through difficult times during this particular period that the world is going through.