The Nation’s Christmas Tree Lights Up Kossuth Square
Hungary’s Christmas Tree Tradition Continued with the Raising of a 24-meter-tall Pine
Early this week, following a tradition that has been ongoing for decades, the Office of the National Assembly raised the country’s Christmas tree on Kossuth Square.
The massive tree is an approximately 24-meter-tall pine with a trunk diameter of 80 centimeters and weighing 5 tons. It came from the garden of a family home in Hajdúszoboszló, located in eastern Hungary. The tree was planted in 1983, and due to recent storms in the country, the family decided to cut it down. Zsuzsa Hegedűsné Agárdi, speaking to a public television channel, mentioned that the act of donating the tree as the country’s Christmas tree came as a surprise to her, as her husband decided to do it without her knowledge. She expressed her sorrow in having to cut down the tree but was pleased that it was chosen as the country’s Christmas tree.
The tree was cut down over the weekend with the help of more than fifty people and was transported to Budapest on the same day. It traveled for nine hours during the night to reach its destination in front of the Parliament on Monday morning. The process of setting it up required cranes, trucks, a massive net, a large metal stand, and more than fifty individuals.
The event drew a lot of attention, with people watching as the tree was set up. The most spectacular moment was when the giant tree floated in the air, and experts put the trunk in place. Hungary’s future Christmas tree attracted many visitors, some of whom traveled hundreds of kilometers to be part of the event.
It will take several days to decorate the green giant, and it will take its final shape at the end of the week.
The tree marks the start of the festive season in Hungary and adds to the unique traditions surrounding Christmas in the country.
