The highlight of the Christmas tree handover was the blessing of the tree by Father Altmann Wand from the parish community of Pielachtal in Lower Austria.
Christmas Tree Handed Over to EU Parliament
"The decorated tree is a pre-Christmas greeting from Lower Austria and a sign of Austria's deep connection with the European Union. It should remind us, especially in these hectic and restless times, that Advent is a time of reflection and contemplation from which we can draw new strength," Bernhuber emphasised in a press release. Among those present at the handover were Defence Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP), Austria's new EU Commissioner Magnus Brunner (ÖVP), and numerous Members of the European Parliament from various countries.
Nordmann Fir from Lower Austria
The 4.2 meter high and 17-year-old Nordmann fir comes from the sustainable agriculture of the König family from Maria Laach am Jauerling. This year too, the Christmas tree travelled to Brussels in an environmentally friendly way by ÖBB night train. Green MEP Thomas Waitz also helped decorate and reminded of Christian values in a video message: "Jesus was also a refugee." The tradition of setting up an Austrian fir in the European Parliament was established by former ÖVP MEP Agnes Schierhuber from the Waldviertel. Thanks to her initiative, the plastic Christmas tree used until 1997 was cut down.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.