‘Giant illuminated cucumber’: Londoners slam Norway’s Christmas tree gift
This year’s lighting ceremony on London’s Trafalgar Square has left some people saying, “Bah, Humbug!” as they took to Twitter to blast the newly unveiled Christmas tree and compare it to a number of distinctive curve shaped vegetables.
The Norwegian spruce tree is the 69th tree gifted to Britain from the city of Oslo since 1947, when the annual tradition began as a memento of lasting gratitude for the support Britain gave Norway during the Second World War.
Represent Hillingdon for the switching on of the Oslo Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square for the support we gave Norway in WW2 pic.twitter.com/AJGxhQyl0t
— Mayor of Hillingdon (@HillingdonMayor) December 1, 2016
The warm neighbourly gesture or the fact the 25-meter tree traveled 700 miles to stand in Trafalgar Square, however, were not enough to deter critics from blasting this year’s tree because of its peculiar shape and the way the lighting was set up.
Here's the @TrafalgarsTree in all its glory! Stood next to some lovely Norwegian people, god jul! #christmas#tree#london#TrafalgarSquarepic.twitter.com/4FzmLxECR2
— Chris (@imageplotter) December 1, 2016
The Twitterati pulled no punches, with one user slamming the Christmas tree as an “illuminated cucumber” while another coined the phrase “gherkin draped in lights.” A less-mainstream opinion said it actually resembled a cactus.
Can someone please explain why we have a Xmas cucumber in Trafalgar Square?! #1stOfDecember@MayorofLondonpic.twitter.com/MracrnWANW
— Mark Oxtoby™ (@oxtoby_mark) December 1, 2016
Trafalgar Square has opted for a Christmas Gherkin rather than the traditional tree this y… https://t.co/bgLlzkv4q0pic.twitter.com/EWb4IeX5ir
— Jai Shah (@JaiShah87) December 1, 2016
Is the Christmas tree in #TrafalgarSquare meant to look like a giant illuminated cucumber 🤔 🌲 pic.twitter.com/TtDfSmSBy4
— Chloe Wood (@ChloeWood101) December 1, 2016
I hate the 'decoration' on that #TrafalgarSquare tree. It's like the gherkin draped in lights.
— Shirls (@holmfirthartist) December 1, 2016
To most people the #Christmas tree in #TrafalgarSquare looks like a #gherkin, apparently. To me it looks like a #cactus! @TrafalgarsTree
— Joe Farrugia (@JoeFarrugia) December 1, 2016
Quite clearly #brexit is to blame for the Christmas tree in #TrafalgarSquare this year
— Missdemeanour (@nigellatv) December 1, 2016
Apparently, the tree itself did not agree:
— The Trafalgar Tree (@TrafalgarsTree) December 1, 2016
While last year’s tree was perhaps more traditional in shape, many other people still embraced the unique tree donated by Norway and encouraged others to soak up the generous festive spirit.
A special holiday glow in Trafalgar Square starting tonight -- thanks to Norway for this traditional gift pic.twitter.com/yPYgZlKu6s
— Janice Charette (@JaniceCharette) December 1, 2016
Very exciting to see the switch on of the Christmas Tree lights at Trafalgar Square 🌟🌲🐿
— AAA365 (@Aaa365a) December 1, 2016
I don't care what the Christmas tree looks like, December in #TrafalgarSquare is always magical :)
— TheBeachBell (@thebeachbell) December 1, 2016
What a load of ungrateful sods.It's a generous free gift of friendhip and people whinge about it. https://t.co/lfrtw8FAgM
— IanVisits (@ianvisits) December 1, 2016
#trafalgartree has been lit! 70year that Norway has been donating a #Christmastree to #trafalgarsquarepic.twitter.com/matPfvOsQY
— Elena K Tsolakis (@elenarchitect) December 1, 2016
