Huge Slovak Christmas tree graces the Grand Place

Brussels maintains its annual tradition of putting up an enormous Christmas tree on the Grand Place with the delivery today of a 22m-tall fir tree. The tree was donated by Slovakia to mark the completion of its six-month presidency of the European Council, writes De Standaard.

After a journey of 1,400 km from Horne, a village not far from the Slovak capital Bratislava, the large pine arrived at the Grand Place early this morning. The 35-year-old tree, of the species Abies grandis, has a trunk diameter of 55cm. The tree will be hung with garlands and lights on 20 November, in a decoration that promises to be more colourful than previous years.

The huge Christmas tree is one of the main attractions of the Winter Wonders event, and the centrepiece of the sound and light show 'Lost in Brussels' on 25 November. The show features world-famous Brussels DJs Lost Frequencies and Belgian lighting designer Koert Vermeulen.

The Christmas tree is on display on the Grand Place until 9 January.

photo: @YvanMayeur / Twitter