Vilnius, Lithuania, Officially Starts the 2021 Holiday Season

Christmas is traditionally one of the best times to visit Europe because the festive period is famous for its unforgettable charm and magic. Despite COVID regulations, European capitals start holiday markdowns and roll out Christmas markets. Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, is no exception. The city has held the ceremony of lighting the main Christmas tree in the Cathedral Square.

This year’s Christmas tree in Vilnius is more like an art object than just a live tree. This has become a good old tradition in the capital of Lithuania. Each year, Vilnius tries to amaze its residents and guests with mesmerizing art and light installations. No wonder why the city’s Christmas tree was voted the best in Europe for several years in a row. This year, travelers still have an opportunity to visit this welcoming European city and see the tree themselves. Moreover, Vilnius hotels are less crowded this year due to the COVID regulations.

Remigijus Šimašius, Mayor of Vilnius, officially lighted the Christmas tree and greeted citizens with the start of the festive season. To prevent mass gatherings, people were asked to watch the live broadcast of the ceremony. This year’s main Christmas tree in Vilnius is 27m high. It is decorated with 96 giant snowflakes, which complex patterns copy real snowflakes. The festive installation also includes 900m of garlands, 2000m of string lights, 3000 artificial branches, and 200 sq. m. of mirrors. Dominykas Koncevičius, the designer of the Christmas tree, found his inspiration in the winter of 2020. Last winter was exceptionally cold and white, and that is why the designer was mesmerized by the concept of giant snowflakes.

The installation consists of three layers. The bottom part features mirrors, which symbolize ice. The middle layer features snowflakes of different sizes and shapes, and the top layer is a shiny illumination part with multiple garlands. The 2021 Christmas tree follows the list of artistic trees in Vilnius. For example, the 2020 Christmas tree was a surrealistic art object with mirrors, metal, and 4 kilometers of lights, and the 2019 version was a silver and blue installation that resembled the queen of chess.

The festive period will last in Vilnius until January 2. Tourists and residents of the capital are encouraged to maintain social distance and take the necessary precautions to maintain safety for everyone.