Pellegrini Lights Christmas Tree Outside Presidential Palace

Bratislava, 5 December (TASR) – President Peter Pellegrini lit the Christmas tree outside the Presidential Palace on Friday evening, in the company of several children. The head of state said he was pleased that the tradition of lighting the Christmas symbol at the Presidential Palace continues precisely on St Nicholas Day. He added that this year the event holds special symbolic meaning for him, as he recently returned from the Vatican. "Rome and the Vatican, and now also the Presidential Palace, are filled with Christmas spirit. I firmly believe that together we will start realising that we should find more joy in simple things and spend more time with our loved ones. I hope that children will think more about their parents and parents about their children, that we will cast the bad things out of our lives and, in the short period before Christmas, calm down and enjoy the joyful moments that await us at Christmas," the president said. mf