Norwegians have hit back at criticism of their annual Christmas tree gift to Britain after Londoners described it as ‘scrawny’ and ‘half dead’.
Bemused visitors to Trafalgar Square have been expressing their disappointment after the famous tree arrived in the capital looking a bit worse for wear.
Some complainants said that the Norwegian spruce at 78 feet was hungover and half-eating before the ceremony.
Others suggested it was ‘retaliation’ for Manchester United’s sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjær, the Norwegian football manager.
But, the Norwegians now defend the tree from attacks and question what they received in return.
The Norwegian spruce has been an annual gift to London from Oslo each year since 1947, but the 24metre tree (pictured) has come under fire this year for looking ‘half dead’ and ‘hungover’
Lars Anton, a Norwegian resident said to The Times that the Kent version was all the British gifted him last Christmas. They can bring the tree back if they don’t like it.
Marianne Borgen (Oslo’s mayor) responded to critics with a diplomatic approach, calling it a “gift of love” between the countries.
“People complain every day.” It looked like a cucumber to me in 2019,’ she stated.
‘In the end, the tree is not really a tree at all, it’s a symbol of solidarity and friendship. It is from Oslo’s forest, which embraces it all. It may arrive in some injuries but it is still a gift from love.
As a thank you for British support of Norway in the Second World War, the Norwegian spruce is an annual gift that London receives each year.
Ms Borgen was joined by Andrew Smith, the Lord Mayor of Westminster, last month in Oslo for a ceremony to cut down the Christmas tree so it could be transported to London before the tree’s lights were switched on in a ceremony on Thursday evening.
Marianne Borgen (Oslo’s mayor) responded to critics with a diplomatic approach, calling it a “gift of love” between the countries
Andrew Smith (pictured with Ms Borgen) was there last month to join her for a Christmas tree cutting ceremony so that it could be moved to London.
Mayor Borgen stated, “It is an indication that Londoners are concerned about the gift we sent them,” and added that he was pleased by people’s passion. “The tree is a result of a forest.
“This is a love tree, and it means so much to us that we give it to Londoners. It began as a way to say thank you for British help in World War Two. Now it’s about friendship and solidarity for the future.
“The symbolism of all these is the tree and I hope people will remember the message that the gifts convey when they are lit.
On Wednesday, photographs showed hydraulic cranes lifting the tree near Nelson’s Column. However many people were unimpressed by the tree’s spindly appearance.
Locals took to Twitter to joke that the Norway-grown spruce was cut from a Norwegian forest last November. This is in spite of disagreements about fishing rights earlier in the year and Brexit.
One user quipped: ‘Have we gone to war with Norway?’
One other wrote, “We are in for a horrible Christmas this year. This tree has predicted it.”
A third commenter said: “Nothing speaks global Britain quite like a dead tree!”
And a fourth penned: ‘Good grief, has it got a hangover?’
The fifth joke was that the Norwegian spruce looked just like the tree in How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
The Christmas tree is decorated every year in the traditional Norwegian style (pictured in 2020). It has vertical strings of energy-saving lights.
Photos taken Wednesday show cranes setting up the tree next to Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square. Many passers-by were not impressed however by its’spindly’ appearance.
Locals were confused and joked that the fall of the spruce in November proved Britain had offended Norway following Brexit, as well as earlier disagreements about fishing rights.
And another person said: ‘Norway has not taken the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjær well’, implying the sparse tree is punishment for the Norwegian football manager’s departure from Manchester United.
One person asked whether Norway just sent another Christmas tree last year, and others said it was more pathetic than its predecessors.
Some Twitter users however defended the appearance of the tree, saying it was a “fine-looking tree” and that lighting up will make it even more beautiful.
The tree has been a sign of Christmas in Trafalgar Square every year since 1947, as it is gifted to London by the people of Oslo as a token of gratitude for British support for Norway during the Second World War.
Every year, the spruce is felled in a PEFC certified forest at the end of November before transported via ship and lorry to take pride of place in the capital – with this year marking the 74th year of the beloved tradition.
Every year, the tree is erected using a hydraulic crane. Each year it is decorated with traditional Norwegian decorations that include vertical strings of energy-efficient light bulbs.
On Thursday evening, hundreds of spectators gathered at the tree’s base for the lighting ceremony. They were joined by the Lord Mayor and Mayor of Oslo.
The ceremony returned this year after international travel restrictions and a Tier 2 lockdown in London meant last year’s event had to be shifted online
On Thursday evening at 6 pm, crowds will gather around the tree’s base for the lighting ceremony. Pictured: Workers put the finishing touches to the Tree ahead of the lighting ceremony
For the first time ever, Trafalgar Square will also host a ticketed New Year event this year after London’s New Year fireworks display was scrapped due to Covid uncertainty.
Trafalgar Square will host a ticketed event that includes live music and stage performers as well as food stalls, and an enormous screen showing the live broadcast.
Applicants can apply for tickets to New Year’s Eve through a lottery system or ballot.
A broadcast will be also available Exclusively broadcast live on BBC One or BBC iPlayer. The show celebrates the capital and highlights the defining moments for 2021.
The programme will include a special live choir, and look ahead to the best of 2022 – including London hosting the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 amongst other highlights.
London’s traditional fireworks display was cancelled because of the panic caused by pandemic.
Sadiq Khan stated: “This year, in addition to a new celebration event at Trafalgar Square,” we can also look forward to a live broadcast spectacle which will highlight our beautiful city on BBC One.
“London is magical in winter and we can celebrate all that we’ve endured.