INTERNATIONAL: The effect of the global pandemic is a time of tough choices. The world stopped for more than a year. People have been through so much, that there is a deep need to actually celebrate Christmas all together. The significance of health during this pandemic gives us the greatest realization that everything falls behind. The COVID-19 pandemic is causing a lot of changes in our daily lives and life must be appreciated and celebrate. And Athens wants to bring joy, luck and love by sharing its dazzling tree lighting.

Athens' annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony has taken place in the capital's main square on Tuesday with a spectacular light and music show. The 60,000 bulbs on the 19-metre-high fir tree from Karpenissi in central Greece, were lit amidst smoke and rays of light from lamps placed on rooftops around Syntagma square. The ceremony comes earlier than usual this year. The tree lighting usually takes place in December.

Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis has said he wanted to lift people's spirits a little bit earlier, as the country once again faces more COVID-19 restrictions and record high daily cases of the pandemic. There was no official ceremony in the square as in previous years before the pandemic, so as not to draw large crowds of people. Another 350,000 lights have been strewn across the city for the holiday, while squares in 35 neighbourhoods have also been decorated.

^{PHOTO: CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING IN CENTRAL ATHENS WITH LIGHT AND MUSIC SHOW/DRONE OF LIGHTING CEREMONY/COMMENTS BY ATHENS MAYOR/CITY STREETS LIT FOR CHRISTMAS}