Autumn is already taking its last steps towards winter and it's time to take a peek at what awaits whites in just two weeks' time. Kristi Põldvee, Valga Municipality's landscaper, gives us an insight into what a magical wonderland Valga will become at Christmas time.
Already on 30 November at 16:00, we will gather together at Valga's central square and start our Christmas celebrations! The joy of Christmas starts with the children and spreads to mothers, fathers and grandparents! That's why we invite everyone to Valga's central square on the first of Advent, where a fun children's Advent fair will be taking place. Together we can enjoy performances and take part in different workshops. A whole square will be decorated with a Christmas tree bouquet, including the city's new and thriving permanent Christmas tree and the silver fir, or Norway spruce, growing near St John's Church. The children's playground has a Christmas tree ornamentation area, where they can cheerfully decorate together with weatherproof ornaments they have brought from nursery, school or even from home. The children's Advent fair will also have a Christmas tree decorations workshop, where you can make fun Christmas tree decorations.
With more and more different lighting solutions being added to the dark time across the city this year, the festive spirit will be felt across the city this year. We're creating a number of exciting places for family and friends to take fun Christmas photos to remember and to walk together along decorated and illuminated paths.
The front of the Valga Cultural Centre has always been a favourite place for Valga residents and visitors at Christmas and New Year's Eve. The Christmas tree in front of the Cultural Centre is now even more visible and the growing conditions have improved. The ebony tree, which stood nearby but was sadly no longer in good condition, tended to overshadow the tree. The Serbian spruce was already showing signs that the canopy was not developing evenly and the tree was trying to stretch itself for better light conditions. The difficult decision was therefore taken to remove the ebony, which was rapidly approaching its inevitable demise year after year. The Serbian spruce will now have a good chance to grow straighter and more beautiful again, without the unfortunate ebony stunting its growth.
As a landscaper, I emphasise sustainability, thrift and ingenuity in the landscaping of the city and municipality. It is my great wish that we, the white people, will set an example for the rest of Estonia by working together and being thrifty - we can do things differently without losing a single bit of Christmas cheer! Because the true joy of Christmas can be found deep in the depths of our hearts, surrounded by friends and family, enjoying the trees, bushes and streets of our towns and villages, with their snowy Christmas leaves!
See you in the centre of Valga on 30 November to share joy and positivity!
Kristi Põldvee
landscaper