Paris officially begins its Christmas season.

Unlike last year, when only a few people attended the tree lighting ceremony due to Covid-19 restrictions, this year the Champs Élysées Avenue area welcomed a large number of locals and tourists. From now until January 8th, 2021, 400 trees along the avenue will be illuminated with energy-efficient LED lights, which can be reused for approximately 3-5 Christmas seasons.

Along with Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and other dignitaries, renowned singer Clara Luciani was invited to press the button to switch on the lights for the two rows of trees. According to the Parisian authorities, Clara Luciani represents a generation that “holds freedom, pride, and independence.” Her song “Respire Encore,” which is also the theme song of this year’s lighting ceremony, was described by the organizers as a “hymn to destruction and rediscovered freedom.”

Not only the Champs Élysées, but also Avenue Montaigne, George V Avenue, Place Vendôme, and Avenue Haussmann were illuminated to welcome Christmas 2021. This is one of the most anticipated special events of the year, marking the return of "the joy of life" after a series of crises that France has experienced, from the 2019 strikes and the Yellow Vest protests to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Through the 2021 light festival, the French authorities and people hope that the meaning of Christmas will return, and the Champs Élysées will regain its "glory" of the years before the pandemic.

"I feel great. Every year, we get to enjoy this event. People rush to film short videos and send them to family and friends. I think it's wonderful," shared a Parisian resident.

The lighting ceremony on the Champs Élysées also marks the beginning of the Christmas season worldwide. The event is watched and covered by hundreds of media outlets from various countries. It is estimated that the cost of this event reached 1 million euros (equivalent to 26.5 trillion VND).

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