The Christmas tree on Bratislava's Main Square will be lit up as scheduled on November 23, but in a rather unusual way: by using energy generated by stationary bicycles pedalled by celebrities, the TASR newswire learnt on Wednesday, November 21.
"We want to show how much energy has to be used to light the tree," explained Bratislava Mayor Milan Ftáčnik at a press conference on Wednesday, adding that the city has to economise this Christmas. The tree itself will be decorated with 2,000 power-saving light bulbs and Christmas decorations will be absent from a number of streets that have previously been lit up. The city estimates that these moves could save the city as much as €20,000.
The lighting of the Christmas tree will mark the opening of the traditional Christmas markets and ice-skating rink on Hviezdoslavo Square and on Main Square in Bratislava. Meanwhile, the city has prepared a cultural programme for Advent, including the 6th Christmas Blood Drop blood donation event on December 7, Christmas creative workshops for children, and more.
Source: TASR
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
