The ritual will be preserved, assure the organizers of Rockefeller Plaza which brings together a huge crowd for the official ceremony of its illumination. With the pandemic, it risks taking place without an audience.
A Christmas without coronavirus? Not sure. But a Christmas without a tree, certainly not. As they are just emerging from the catastrophic covid epidemic, which has claimed at least 30,000 lives in the megalopolis, New Yorkers can be reassured on one point: the traditional giant Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center will be there this year. . Six months from the deadline, the managers of one of the city’s busiest sites (with its shopping arcades, theaters and concerts and exhibitions) have just confirmed it. The tree, which from its 23 meters high symbolizes the end of year celebrations, will be erected as tradition dictates at the end of November.
However, there is uncertainty over the operation: will the public be able to attend? Tishman Speyer, the real estate company that owns the prestigious Manhattan site, has confirmed that the lighting ceremony, which is particularly popular with New Yorkers and tourists, will be maintained. And this despite any changes made in the name of public safety.
«Of course the Christmas tree will be mounted this year, it will even be formidable and phenomenalProperty General Manager EB Kelly said on Crain’s Chicago Busisness website. But the place is not large enough to ensure the social distancing imposed by the Covid, the ceremony risks taking place without an audience.
A veritable institution, the Christmas tree erected on Rockefeller Plaza has marked the start of the Christmas season in the city since 1931, with its procession of musicals, plays and activities celebrating winter. Lit by 50,000 colored LEDs for more than a month, the illustrious conifer is, at the end of the season, cut and then used as a frame in the construction of houses.
Before winter, the owners of Rockefeller Center plan to use the site well this summer. In particular, the center plans to install tables and chairs on the ice rink in the square and allow catering trucks or local producers to sell their goods there.
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