Christmas comes to Tallinn

Putting the jõu back into jõulud, next Monday will see the erection on Town Hall Square of Tallinn's premier Christmas tree. At a neck-craning 20 metres tall, this year's tree is being trucked in from the 'Kadrina commune' (as they refer to themselves on the English version of their website: http://www.kadrina.ee/atp/?id=799) in Lääne-Viru county. For those interested in following its progress, here is a timeline of events:

- Monday 26/11/07

*08.00: Felling of the tree to commence in Ülo Kais' garden in Kadrina.

*11.00: Cavalcade to set off for Tallinn.

*13.00-14.00: Tree to arrive at Town Hall Square and erection to commence.

- Wednesday 28/11/07

*Decoration of tree with lights to be completed.

- Sunday 02/12/07

*14.00: Lights to be switched on and advent candles to be lit.

The Kadrina tree was selected to represent the city from among ten entries received in a public competition. The tree alone set City Hall (or whoever paid for it) back 14,160 kroons, while transport, installation and decoration work will cost a further 53,100 kroons and eventual disassembly and chopping up for fire wood or whatever another 33,040 kroons. Total: 100,300 kroons.

And it will be worth every cent. There's something truly magical about wandering around the stalls of the Christmas market on Town Hall Square amid the falling snow with the tree all lit up and the smell of mulled wine and gingerbread in the air. Much as I love our traditional lazy poolside Boxing Days of cold champagne and turkey sandwiches in Australia, nowhere does Christmas quite like northern Europe.