by Viktor, age 8, asks how the Christmas tree tradition started, about Vitosha Mountain, and Sofia’s age
Dear Santa,
Zdravei from Sofia. My name is Viktor and I am 8 years old. Our tree used to have real little candle holders clipped to the branches, which my baba says her own grandmother used long ago, though thankfully we use safe electric lights now instead.
My first question is: how did the Christmas tree tradition actually get started, step by step?
My second question is geography: what mountain overlooks Sofia?
My third question is from school: why is Sofia considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe?
I left you banitsa, a cheesy pastry, and a small cup of boza, a sweet fermented drink.
Love, Viktor, age 8, Sofia, Bulgaria
From the Desk of Father Christmas
Dear Viktor, banitsa and boza made for a memorable stop, warm and tangy at once. Now, to trace your tree history properly, and your other questions.
How did the Christmas tree tradition actually get started?
It began in Germany in the 1500s, with families bringing evergreen branches or small trees indoors and decorating them, often with real lit candles clipped carefully to the branches, exactly like your baba described, along with apples and small sweets. This was, understandably, quite a fire risk, and for centuries families simply had to be very careful and watch the candles closely. The custom spread slowly across Europe through the 1700s and 1800s, becoming especially popular in Britain after Queen Victoria’s decorated tree was pictured in newspapers in the 1840s. The real turning point for safety came in 1882, when an inventor named Edward Johnson, who worked alongside Thomas Edison, created the very first string of electric Christmas tree lights, eventually replacing candles for good and letting families enjoy a glowing tree without worry.
What mountain overlooks Sofia?
Vitosha Mountain rises just south of Sofia, close enough that many residents can ski or hike there within a short trip from the city centre, a rare and wonderful thing for a capital city.
Why is Sofia one of the oldest cities in Europe?
Sofia has been continuously inhabited for more than 7,000 years, with settlements on the site stretching back to the Neolithic period. Its location at a crossroads between different regions made it valuable to many civilisations over the centuries, from the Thracians to the Romans, each leaving their mark on the city that stands there today.
Tell your baba her candle memories reached the North Pole, and I shall see you very soon.
Ho ho ho, Santa
