A union of European trees at The Podium
Mallgoers at The Podium had an amazing time discovering the different European holiday traditions during the recent launch of the Amazing EU Christmas in the mall’s activity center.
This is the third year of partnership between the Delegation of the European Commission to the Philippines, the embassies of the European Union member states, and The Podium.
As in past years, the centerpiece of the project consists of the Christmas trees by the various embassies with decor from their respective countries.
Ambassador Gregoires Vordakis of the Embassy of Belgium; Charge d’ Affaires Gabriel Munuara-Vinals of the Delegation of the European Commission to the Philippines; and Counselor Georges Gaston Feydeau of the French Embassy began the program with a ceremonial toast. Keppel Philippines Properties SVP Lee Foo Tuck and VP Alex Kurniawan and The Podium Mall manager Inigo Bilbao joined them.
Ambassador Vordakis described how his embassy’s tree showcases the best of Belgium: chocolates, waffles, diamonds and crystals as ornaments.
Counselor Feydeau said children in France leave their shoes by the fireplace to be filled with gifts like sweets, nuts and small toys from Pere Noel. He also mentioned that their tree’s decor draws inspiration from the Eiffel Tower, which now sparkles with blue lights and a circle of golden stars symbolizing the fact that France now holds the EU presidency.
Joanna Oksanen of Finland said that handmade wooden elves made by famous wooden companies usually decorate trees in her country, which is said to be the real home of Santa Claus. The Finnish tree was filled with apples and other fruits, candies, paper flags, and candles.
Javier Laporta of the Spanish Embassy, Paula Schindeler of the Netherlands, and Deputy Ambassador Monika Kuslova of the Czech Republic also talked about the Christmas traditions of their countries.
Also present were the Danish Embassy’s Paul Peterson, Romanian Embassy’s Anna Peleo, French Embassy’s Emilio Flabeaux, Marie Aurosseau, Marne Berrabah, Isabelle Epailland and EU’s Robert Leon and Thelma Gecolea.
