People gather for the inauguration of the municipality of Rome's Christmas Tree on December 8, 2022 ... [+]
Italy has employed some novel, environmentally friendly methods of lighting up its capital city this Christmas.
With energy bills soaring and a greater emphasis on sustainability, Rome has opted for green ways to power its Christmas lights.
The sparkling tree outside the capital’s city hall buildings in Piazza del Campidoglio will be lit up using pedal power this year.
The hundreds of lights decorating the branches are linked to six bicycles parked beneath and a generator.
Rome’s council has invited residents and tourists to “pedal with us to light up Christmas.”
Rome mayor Roberto Gualtieri (C) pedals to power the municipality's Christmas Tree during its ... [+]
The project was launched on December 13 in a ceremony during which the city’s mayor Roberto Gualtieri and councilors tried out the bikes.
As they pedaled, the tree lights turned on to the accompaniment of festive music played by the local police band.
The council has hailed the initiative as "a symbolic message to promote sustainability, energy saving and physical well-being."
And it’s not the only eco-friendly tree in Rome this year.
The spectacular 23-metre-high Christmas tree standing in Piazza Venezia is entirely powered by solar energy.
The decorative lights strung down the Via del Corso are also powered by the solar panels at the base of the tree.
Other trees around the city will also be lit with solar energy. The panels will be reused in other projects after the holiday season.
The council is promoting the use of solar power as a message of solidarity with the residents of the city struggling to pay energy bills.
Unfortunately, the giant solar panels in the square have been criticized as “ugly” by art critic Vittorio Sgarbi and Rome councilors.
However, mayor Gualtieri has defended the scheme saying the eco-friendly lighting would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 70 kilos a day.
“This is intended to strongly promote a culture of sustainability, also taking into account the delicate moment linked to the war in Ukraine,” he said.
“The tree will consume 5.5 kilowatt hours which, instead of coming from the grid, will be self-produced by the photovoltaic system.”
Hungary’s capital Budapest has also opted for sustainable festive decorations this year.
Solar panels and a bike are powering a tree and lights in the city.
