Christmas Tree Decorations in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has claimed the title for the construction of the world's tallest Christmas tree. If confirmed by Guinness World Records, the 73-meter (238-foot) tree would surpass the record set by China by 18 meters.
Marking Christmas Eve on Saturday, the south Asian island of Sri Lanka unveiled a towering synthetic Christmas tree, claiming that it is the world's largest.
The steel-and-wire frame construction was erected in the Galle Face Green in the capital city, Colombo. The oceanside urban park also previously hosted Pope Francis, who held mass there during his visit to Sri Lanka last year.
Covered with more than 1 million natural pine cones painted red, gold, green and silver, 600,000 LED bulbs and topped by a 6-meter (20-foot) shining star, the tree cost an estimated $80,000 (76,537 euros). The Catholic Church criticized the tree as a "waste of money" and suggested that the funds could be better spent on helping the poor.
-
Christmas trees around the world
Berlin, Germany
A lighted tree stands in front of the capital's iconic Brandenburg Gate. The modern Christmas tree has its roots - pun intended - in Germany, where it became a typical holiday decoration among Rhineland families in the 18th century.
-
Christmas trees around the world
New York, USA
Every year the City of New York places a giant Christmas tree in front of Rockefeller Center, a tradition that dates back to 1933. Trees have served as important symbols for everyone from the Ancient Egyptians to pagans.
-
Christmas trees around the world
Moscow, Russia
The Russian capital's famous Red Square, an important center of political life during the Soviet Union, now plays host to an annual Christmas celebration. While such festivities were prohibited during the communist era, many Russians still found time to decorate so-called "New Year's trees."
-
Christmas trees around the world
Monte Carlo, Monaco
There may not be actual snow, but the Mediterranean city-state's holiday spirit is on full display in Casino Square. Here, the legendary Monte Carlo Casino can be seen ushering in the holy day in high style.
-
Christmas trees around the world
Tokyo, Japan
A Christmas tree stands before the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in the Shinjuku district. Though not a national holiday in Japan, the secular celebration of Christmas, encouraged by the spread of Western culture, has become widespread.
-
Christmas trees around the world
Abidjan, Ivory Coast
A Christmas tree shines brightly in the central business district of the Ivory Coast's capital. There is an almost even split in this West African country between Christians and Muslims, who have generally been successful at coexisting.
-
Christmas trees around the world
Monterrey, Mexico
Putting an environmentally conscious spin on an old tradition, this Christmas tree was constructed out of plastic bins and hampers. More than 80 percent of Mexicans are Catholics, although other Christian denominations have grown in numbers over the years.
-
Christmas trees around the world
Byblos, Lebanon
This unique tree can be found in Byblos, north of the country's capital, Beirut. Lebanon allegedly has the largest percentage of Christians in the Middle East, although an official census has not been carried out since 1932.
More than 1,000 workers were involved in the project, with construction taking more than three months. Mangala Gunasekara, a spokesman for the organizing committee, said they would seek to claim the Guinness World Record for the tallest artificial Christmas tree.
'Ethnic and religious harmony'
The record is currently held by a Chinese firm which last year constructed a 55-meter (180-foot) tree-like tower of lights and synthetic foliage, baubles and lamps in the southern city of Guangzhou.
Organizers said they wanted the tree to help promote ethnic and religious harmony in the Buddhist-majority South Asian island nation. Of Sri Lanka's 21 million-strong population, around 1.2 million people are Catholic. Nearly 70 percent of Sri Lankans are Buddhist.
Allegations of widespread abuses against minority ethnic Tamils have also been reported both during and after the country's civil war against Tamil rebels.
The tree will remain in place until January 6, which marks the celebration of the Epiphany in the Christian calendar.
ksb/kl (AP, dpa)
-
Christmas in prison
Cell celebration
What looks like a normal holiday concert at first is anything but. The women in Santa costumes are actually inmates at the Nelson Hungria prison in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Each year, they put on a Christmas celebration that includes religious plays like this one.
-
Christmas in prison
Whose bars are the best?
The hundreds of female inmates at Nelson Hungria compete with each other to see whose cell has the most beautiful Christmas decorations. It's not an individual effort but a group project, since up to 50 women share one cell in the prison that's part of the sprawling Bangu penitentiary complex.
-
Christmas in prison
Santa's helper
Decorating is not the only discipline in the annual Christmas competition. Many of the inmates also dress up in an effort to win Best Costume. This young woman went for a Christmas elf look. Prison officials have said that the event helps the women bond.
-
Christmas in prison
Creative recycling
For the decorations and costumes, like this Mrs. Claus dress, the women use whatever material they can get their hands on: empty soda bottles, tissue paper and styrofoam, to name a few.
-
Christmas in prison
Better than most
The stars, the tree, the hats - Christmas spirit can be achieved even in a crowded cell. Conditions in many other Brazilian prisons are worse, and not just for the lack of decorations. Human rights activists have blasted inhumane conditions like overcrowded cells, unbearable stenches and roach infestations.
-
Christmas in prison
Happy holidays - at least to some extent
The inmates at Nelson Hungria serve time for crimes ranging from burglary to homicide. The annual Christmas competition and celebration is something to look forward to for the many women who don't receveive any visitors over the holidays.
-
Christmas in prison
Rules are rules
Directors from other prisons come in to judge the competition. The winners score prizes ranging from name-brand hair products to stationary fans and flat-screen TVs. The celebration still ends like every other day at Nelson Hungria, though: with a heavy door falling shut, locking the prisoners in.
Author: Carla Bleiker
Christmas Tree Decorations in Sri Lanka
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/sri-lanka-claims-worlds-tallest-artificial-christmas-tree/a-36904708