The Mayor of Reykavík helped to cut down a Christmas tree at a ceremony in Solheim forest north of Oslo last week, which, according to a long-standing tradition, will be the gift of the Norwegian capital to that of Iceland.

Archive photo of the Christmas tree in Austurvöllur given as a gift from Norway in a previous year. Photo Iceland Review.

The tree is now being transported to Iceland and will be lit at a ceremony on Austurvöllur square on the first Sunday in Advent, December 2, ruv.is reports.

In his address at the ceremony, which was attended by Norwegian children, an Icelandic choir and loggers from the City of Oslo, in addition to officials, Jón said he had wanted to help to cut down the tree this year to demonstrate the appreciation of Reykjavík residents and that the gift shouldn’t be taken for granted.

The mayor mentioned that it had been a great shame when the Oslo tree was set aflame during riots on Austurvöllur in January 2009 and that he hoped his presence would help make up for that.

Jón is said to have handled the cutting of the tree professionally; he once worked as a logger in northern Sweden for two years.

ESA