A line of Finnish-Ukrainian flags decorates the Christmas tree at the town hall

The traditional Christmas tree of the Imatra town hall was decorated this year by the students of preparatory education, who study both at the town hall and at the Koske school center.

The students have moved to Finland and are currently studying the Finnish language before moving into class groups at school centers.

Decorating the town hall's Christmas tree is an old tradition. Every year, a team working at the town hall beautifies the Christmas tree with self-made decorations. This group challenges another team to be the next year's decorators. Last year, the tree was decorated by the city's new management. Now the mayor Matias Hilden and service director Arja Kujala decided to challenge the students to decorate the tree.

The children had made many meter-long flag strips with both Finnish and Ukrainian flags. In addition, the Ukrainian students of the town hall's preparatory education had made stars, in the center of which was written in Finnish what they wish for people for Christmas. 

- I don't know if six has ever been so beautiful. When there is a wish for peace in the tree, it really touches. This is topical and creates a good Christmas spirit for everyone who works here as well as the customers of the city hall, Director of Communications Liisa Hupli-Oinonen says.

The continuation of the Christmas tree tradition is open, because next Christmas the city hall's functions will already be in the center. 

- It would be nice to continue the tradition, but now we'll see how it works out, Hupli-Oinonen continues.

For more information:

Director of Communications Liisa Hupli-Oinonen, tel. 020 617 2400, liisa.hupli-oinonenimatra.fi (liisa[dot]hupli-oinonen[at]imatra[dot]fi)