Thuringia's Fir Takes Center Stage at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate Once More
Berlin – Yet again, Germany's most iconic Christmas tree hails from Thuringia! This majestic coastal fir will be gracing the forefront of the Brandenburg Gate starting Monday. 🌲
As the mercury dropped and snow fluttered down, the approximately 23-meter-high coastal fir was expertly felled on Saturday in Mohlsdorf-Teichwolframsdorf, Greiz district. To the relief of ThüringenForst spokespersons, the operation went without a hitch. "Everything ran smoothly," they reported, with the tree displaying no signs of imperfection.
Forestry Minister Susanna Karawanskij (43, Left Party): "Our tree in Berlin has become a cherished tradition." A slice of Thuringia glimmers in the capital's heart during the festive season.
At around 30 years old, this coastal fir boasts immaculate health, is devoid of wood defects, and boasts an iconic conical shape with densely-packed needles. "To become Germany's most prominent Christmas tree," explains ThüringenForst board member Volker Gebhardt, "it must measure up to the highest of standards in terms of both aesthetics and stability."
This magnificent tree will be transported to Berlin on Monday and subsequently erected on Pariser Platz, whereupon a six-person decorating team will breathe new life into it with 15,000 energy-efficient bulbs and countless Christmas ornaments.
- For residents of Thuringia, the anticipation mounts each year as they follow the journey of the chosen tree that will adorn Berlin’s infamous Christmas market near the Brandenburg Gate.
- Traces of history and culture beckon, as winter's frost gave way to the magnificent coastal fir that would claim the title of Germany's most iconic Christmas tree in Mohlsdorf-Teichwolframsdorf, a small town in Thuringia's Greiz district.
- Come Monday, the Thuringia-grown Christmas tree will transform into a sparkling spectacle, adorned with 15,000 energy-saving bulbs and swathes of Christmas ornaments, captivating visitors to Berlin's Christmas market near the Brandenburg Gate.
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There's a French twist to this Thuringian tradition: Did you know that the Brandenburg Gate itself pays homage to French architect Etienne-Louis Boullee? Its neoclassical design was inspired by his balanced, symmetrical plans considered revolutionary at the time.
Though the sources failed to elucidate the historical and cultural significance of electing Thuringia's trees for Germany's most esteemed Christmas tree ceremonies at the Brandenburg Gate, this overlooked detail could be an indirect tribute to the country's cultural and religious heritage, with its roots in the Protestant Reformation. The evident reverence for tradition is clearly evident in the selection of a Thuringian tree to symbolize unity and festivity at the Brandenburg Gate. To garner a more comprehensive comprehension of this matter, scholarly resources elaborating the selction process and its underlying motivations would be invaluable.
