An eco-friendly symbol of Christmas Peace
The largest floating Christmas tree in the world is inaugurated in the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, watched by 400,000 people.
Photo: Marcos Pinto
The countdown to Christmas and summer in Rio de Janeiro has begun. Last Saturday saw the official lighting of the floating Christmas tree in the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, a massive Yuletide symbol that illuminates the Marvelous City until 6 January. Approximately 400,000 people went there to see a light show and performances by popular Brazilian musicians, in an ambience of friendship and peace.
With the theme "A melody of peace for the Brazilian family," the thirteenth annual Christmas tree is 85 meters high, equivalent to a 28-story building. The Christmas tree light show is the third biggest festive event in the citys calendar, after New Years and Carnaval. Residents from throughout the city and tourists watched the show together.
Dirck Borq, a german who plans to live here for a year and a half, took his family to the lagoon to see the event. I arrived in Rio less than a week ago and Im very impressed with this show, he said. The warmth of the citys people got the attention of his wife, Christine. Im finding everyone very nice and friendly, she said. Accompanied by their little daughter Hanna, the Borq family supports the idea of holding the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Rio would be a beautiful setting for the Olympic Games. If its confirmed, Ill stay here until 2016! Dirck said, light-heartedly.
This year, the tree has various new features, including fireworks and music during the light show. Brothers Marcos and Paulo Sérgio Valle, renowned Bossa Nova composers, created the theme music for the Christmas tree, which will be played every day together with other festive compositions.
The carioca Christmas symbol features in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest floating Christmas tree in the world. This fills the people of Rio with pride. I come here every year to see the opening. Events like these, which bring everybody together in a spirit of peace, are very good for the city. It makes a difference, said Vinícius Meldar, who would love to see Rio host the 2016 Olympics.
Since 2006, the Christmas tree has had biodiesel-fueled generators. This year, the carbon dioxide emissions generated during assembly, exhibition and dismantling will be offset by tree planting.
With the theme "A melody of peace for the Brazilian family," the thirteenth annual Christmas tree is 85 meters high, equivalent to a 28-story building. The Christmas tree light show is the third biggest festive event in the citys calendar, after New Years and Carnaval. Residents from throughout the city and tourists watched the show together.
Dirck Borq, a german who plans to live here for a year and a half, took his family to the lagoon to see the event. I arrived in Rio less than a week ago and Im very impressed with this show, he said. The warmth of the citys people got the attention of his wife, Christine. Im finding everyone very nice and friendly, she said. Accompanied by their little daughter Hanna, the Borq family supports the idea of holding the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Rio would be a beautiful setting for the Olympic Games. If its confirmed, Ill stay here until 2016! Dirck said, light-heartedly.
This year, the tree has various new features, including fireworks and music during the light show. Brothers Marcos and Paulo Sérgio Valle, renowned Bossa Nova composers, created the theme music for the Christmas tree, which will be played every day together with other festive compositions.
The carioca Christmas symbol features in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest floating Christmas tree in the world. This fills the people of Rio with pride. I come here every year to see the opening. Events like these, which bring everybody together in a spirit of peace, are very good for the city. It makes a difference, said Vinícius Meldar, who would love to see Rio host the 2016 Olympics.
Since 2006, the Christmas tree has had biodiesel-fueled generators. This year, the carbon dioxide emissions generated during assembly, exhibition and dismantling will be offset by tree planting.
