Athens’ official Christmas tree lights up for 2020

The lights were officially lit on the giant Christmas tree at Syntagma Square, in front of the historic Greek Parliament, last night.

This year due to the covid-19 pandemic, the Municipality of Athens kicked off the Festive Season for 2020 in a different way.

Through a short film that tells an Athenian Christmas story about one of the unsung heroes of Athens, viewers meet Dionysis Nikolaou, the oldest employee of the Municipality of Athens.

"This year the lights are the ones that really give light to our lives. To people like Mr. Dionysis, the oldest employee of the Municipality of Athens. After school he started working in the electricity department of the Municipality and learned the secrets for every corner of the city. Worked in all positions. Today, he chooses to work mainly at night, leaving the morning shift to his younger colleagues," Mayor of Athens Kostas Bakoyannis said.

"What he never left behind is the lighting of the city at Christmas time, which culminates with the lighting of the tree. A big thank you to Mr. Dionysis and to all our people. The invisible heroes, who tirelessly remain on the front line, not only at Christmas, but every day. Happy Holidays. Health above all."

The lights and decorations bring joy and hope, the message at the heart of Christmas.

*Images Courtesy of Antonis Tsagronis

Syntagma Square lights up for Christmas