Vilnius, which is titled one of the most magical Christmas cities in Europe, introduced a 5-week winter holiday programme, as impressive and full of miracles and surprises as always. So what magic can residents and guests of the city expect this year in the Christmas capital?
“Winter Fairy Tale Capital is the most appropriate name for Vilnius: our magical Christmas tree attracts the attention of the world’s media; the number of tourists more than doubles in December compared to its annual growth, guests appreciate the very cosily decorated Baroque Old Town, buzzing Christmas fairs and hospitality of Vilnius residents – all this makes us proud of Vilnius and inspires to try to surprise with even greater creativity each year”, – Remigijus Šimašius, the Mayor of Vilnius, said with joy.
The symbol of Christmas of the entire Lithuania – the main Christmas tree of the city in the Cathedral square – will surprise and impress not only Lithuania. The artistic composition of the Christmas tree (27 meters-high and 50 meters-wide) will cover the entire area of the Christmas town. “Let being together at the Christmas tree become special time which we share with each other” – Dominykas Koncevičius, the author of the project and one of creators of the Christmas tree, said invitingly. In the ceremony of lighting of the main Christmas Tree of the capital of Lithuania, which is to take place on 1 December, at 7 p.m., residents and guests of the city will be able to enjoy the concert of the group SEL, singer Mantas Jankavičius, participants of the music talent contest “X Factor” and talent show “Lithuanian Talents”, Artūras Novikas’ jazz ensemble JAZZ ISLAND and the children and youth group “JIMBA”.
This year, the Christmas tree in the Town Hall Square will be lit up earlier than the main Christmas tree of Vilnius. The playful Christmas tree lighting ceremony in the Town Hall Square will start on 1 December, at 5.00 p.m. Participants in the event will be entertained by Artūras Novikas’ jazz ensemble JAZZ ISLAND and singer Aldegunda.
In the evening of 1 December, we will once again get to see the joyful Christmas train. The Christmas train will greet its little passengers and their parents at a stop in front of the Cathedral Square – in Šventaragio street, next to Odminių Square. Christmas skating rink in Lukiškių Square, which will be opened on 7 December, is yet another new entertainment. Residents and guests of Vilnius will be able to enjoy skating in the skating rink (20×40 meters) till the very beginning of February – here they will be invited to have fun, play curling or learn skating techniques. Events in the renovated area of the railway station are planned during the holiday season for the first time. Here an independent alternative Christmas town will be set up and open till 3 January 2019: visitors will be able to enjoy the delightful and surprising street food market, various creative workshops, musician performances and the Christmas fair. Lithuanian Santa Clauses “Kalėda” from five Lithuanian regions with their escorts will amuse the public and share their secrets at a very joyful celebration called “Welcome, Kalėda!”, which will take place in the Cathedral Square on 9 December. Just like last year, residents and guests of the capital will be invited to admire lights, shine and originality of festive city showcases, which create the special festive mood, and to select the one they admire the most
Read more: https://en.delfi.lt/lithuania/freetime/magic-awaiting-in-vilnius-the-capital-of-christmas.d?id=79728455&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=2018-12-01&utm_campaign=Weekly+News+from+Lithuania
Source:en.delfi.lt/lithuania