All the links in this post are full size images of what I am describing in the text.
This evening, Odense had a gathering to turn on all the city's Christmas lights. It was my first time going to this (I missed last years' event) and it is really looked forward to by Danes in Odense, especially the children because they get FREE CANDY! :D
A week or so ago, they set up this huge tree in the market square in town. Santa Claus (called Jul Mand - direct translation: Christmas man) is on this huge crane above the crowds and they slowly move him all around above the crowd towards the tree. Everyone starts to count down from 10, like on New Years eve. He has a large stick in his hand, which shoots out fireworks and lowers it towards the tree - this "lights" the tree once the fireworks start.
It was manic. I have never seen the market square that busy... you literally couldn't move at all! After the lights went on, people started moving but it took a good 10-15 minutes until we were finally able to move around ourselves from the spot we'd been observing everything from.
And if that wasn't enough pictures for you, here are some more of the Christmas lights in Odense;
The Town Hall
Looking Right...
Looking Left...
 Labels: children, christmas, julmand, market center, santa claus, sweets, town center |
