Kamppi Center Christmas tree goes up
It is that time of year again. Finland’s tallest Christmas tree has been erected in the square in front of the new Kamppi Center complex in downtown Helsinki.
The roughly 23-metre high tree was felled in Vantaa on Thursday evening, was brought into the city centre on a low-loader around midnight, and was erected in Kamppi at 1 a.m. on Friday morning.
The tree was lifted into place inside a 33-ton concrete plinth, which should keep it upright in even the stiffest of winds.
Forestry students then strung some 300 metres of electrical wiring on the tree and decorated the branches with red balls of a similar design to the Kamppi Center logo. The lights were tested overnight, but will only be officially switched on at 14:00 on Sunday.
The students found a suitable tree after driving around Vantaa in search of likely candidates. The spruce in question was in the yard of a detached house, and was shadowing the building. It was not difficult for a deal to be reached between the owner and the students that benefited both parties.
In addition to the Christmas tree, the square will be fitted out for the Yuletide season with an old-time carousel for children.
Helsingin Sanomat
