Ukrainians Celebrate Lighting of Central Christmas Tree: Photos

On December 19, the lights on the city’s Christmas tree also called the ‘New Year’s tree’ were lit in central Kiev, Ukraine.

The man-made tree, which weighs in at 30 tones and reaches 35 meters high, was recently put up on the Independence Square in the city’s center. Locals decided the design of the tree through a contest.

After lighting the tree, the spectators were treated to a concert. Local performing groups entertained the crowd with song and dance. One of the winners of the Junior Eurovision 2012, a popular singing competition among European countries, Anastasia Petryk was joined by a renowned national singer Nina Matvienko to wish the audience a Happy New Year. 

Attendees then set off fireworks around the sparkling Christmas tree.

Ukrainians celebrate the lighting of central Christmas Tree in Kyiv on December 19. (Vladimir Borodin/The Epoch Times)