The local authorities of Chisinau invite the inhabitants and guests of the capital city to the inauguration of the Christmas tree and opening of the winter holidays in the Great National Assembly Square at 6pm on December 4, IPN reports.

The Chisinau City Hall said a concert will be given by such national stars as Radu Dolgan, Serj Kuzenkoff, Igor Rusu, Lenuta Gheorghita, Maria Iliut, Corduneanu Borthers and the band “Megapolis”. The cultural-artistic events start at 5:30 pm, while the Christmas tree and the holiday lighting will be inaugurated at 6pm.

Acting mayor of Chisinau Silvia Radu, in the December 4 meeting of officials of municipal services and divisions, said that next year, if she remains in the post, she will consult the residents of the capital city what kind of fir tree they would like in the center: an artificial one or a natural one.

Silvia Radu also said that she opted for an artificial tree, but it was ultimately decided to purchase a natural fir tree given the high prices announced and the insufficient time that remained for organizing the acquisition procedures. The acting mayor voiced hope that an artificial tree will be placed in the central square of Chisinau in the future so as to avoid problems similar to those experienced this year.

The fir tree bought in Ukraine for 15,000 lei, which the municipality of Chisinau intended to inaugurate on December 1, got to the capital city with delay and with many broken branches. This was installed in the Great National Assembly Square in the morning of December 2. Employees of the Green Areas Association tried to reanimate it, but acting mayor Silvia Radu ordered to remove the fir tree. A new tree that is about 17 meters in height was installed in its place the same day. This was cut down from the yard of a kindergarten situated in Botancia district of Chisinau. Silvia Radu said she bought the tree with her own money and paid 10,000 lei for it. It was agreed that the money will be donated for charity.