Bulgaria's Capital Sofia Turns on Christmas Lights

The newly-elected Mayor of the Bulgarian capital, Yordanka Fandakova, lit the Sofia Christmas tree and the city Christmas lights Tuesday.

The lights were turned on exactly at 6 pm. The ceremony was accompanied by a fireworks show.

Following the example of many other European capitals, this December Sofia has a Christmas bazaar called “Koledariya 2009.” It is located in Sofia's central park, “Borisova Gradina” and features Christmas cookies, warmed wine, and puppet shows for the kids.

The 2009 Sofia Christmas tree is the same living tree used for the last few years. It is the 50-year-old 15-meter pine in the garden before the Rila Hotel. It is be decorated with 800 meters of Christmas lights. The ceremony was accompanied by a fireworks show.

The economic crisis is also affecting the Sofia Christmas lights because there are fewer private sponsors this year.