Rockin' around the Christmas tree? Well, rockin' on it is more like it...
It is that time of year again: twinkling Christmas lights tumble down above Zurich's Bahnhofstrasse; the scent of mulled wine, roasting chestnuts and smelly feet (fondue!) lingers on the air; while at Werdmühleplatz's Christmas Market, dulcet tones drift into the night. The carol singers, who are dressed in red and green like Santa's little helpers, are arranged on a stepped, Christmas tree-shaped bandstand.
Since it first sang out to Zurich ten years ago,
The Singing Christmas Tree has become iconic. From the end of November until just before Christmas, junior and adult choirs come from across the region to perform all sorts of music - from modern pop to Christmas hits and carols. It is a live concert with a difference, and with or without the mulled wine, the atmosphere is contagious in the most bizarre but lovely way.
