The Christmas tree…
The lights decorating a new Christmas tree in Syntagma Square were switched on last night by Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis in a ceremony that included fireworks and music by the municipal band and choir. The original tree was set alight and destroyed during last week’s rioting in central Athens. Wooden boxes that had been made to look like Christmas presents were also damaged in the violence but have now been replaced. Kaklamanis said that the return of the Christmas tree to the square was a sign that the city would not bow to ‘the terrorism of those wearing hoods.’