Christmas began at the Presidential Palace last night with the lighting of the tree. This year’s tree is decorated with recycled ornaments and a more simple nativity scene than in previous years.
From the vantage point of the stairs of the Presidential Palace, First Lady Candida Montilla de Medina switched on the lights using an electronic device with none of the usual firework displays.
Following the ceremony children and adults in traditional rural dress gave out sweets and other country fare to the audience and a children’s choir conducted by Marianela Sanchez sang Christmas carols.