Light our Tree, Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Friday, December 04, 2009 - antosh
On Tuesday, 08 December, at 1630 hours, the 2009 annual Christmas Tree will be lit in a ceremony in front of the SHAPE main building, 102. The SHAPE Canadian Choir, consisting of fifty children ages 6-13, will perform Christmas Carols with the SHAPE International Band Brass Quintet. Celebrate years of friendship and the holiday season!
SACEUR, Adm. James Stavridis, will open the ceremony and welcome a delegation from the Belgian city of Malmedy. The SHAPE annual Christmas tree is provided from the city of Malmedy, Belgium, as an extension of friendship between the city and SHAPE. The first tree was offered to honour efforts and endurance of troops to free Belgium from the Nazi-regime. It has since become a tradition to stress the importance of the Alliances’ endeavour for peace and freedom.
The citizens of Malmedy offer a tall fir tree each year in this respect.
The event is open to everyone, and everyone is invited. A small, informal reception will be held in the Silver Spoon cafeteria immediately following the ceremony. Everyone is invited to enjoy a hot beverage at the reception and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere.
For more information about the tree, the tradition and the ceremony, you may check out the 02
December edition of SHAPE Community Life.