Both to the mayor’s office in the west town hall tower in Oslo and to the Norwegian embassy in London, emails came in from Britons wishing to thank him for the gift and express discontent with criticism of the Christmas tree.

Every year, Oslo gives a large Christmas tree as a gift to London. Several times the tree in Trafalgar Square was criticized for being too ugly.

– Need someone with good judgment

This year’s tree is no exception and it’s been stirred up on social media.

Many Britons have fallen to their knees, and some have since expressed gratitude for the Christmas tree. Expressions of support culminated after Marianne Borgen guested on a radio program at BBC.

– If you were only free, you could take control here. We urgently need someone with good judgment, wrote Nancy Jones in a letter to the mayor of Oslo.

– I just want to say that the interview Mayor Borgen did on the BBC today about the Christmas tree, is one of the best I’ve ever heard, wrote William Ball.

Not well received by everyone

The Norwegian Christmas Tree has been engaging the UK for several years, perhaps especially on Twitter. Among other things, two separate accounts have been created dedicated to the tree.

Most of this year’s criticism on social media has been humorous:

Here at home, Conservative politician Anne Haabeth Rygg also reacted to the tree. He thought it looked like “shot damage”.

He submitted a proposal at the city council to pay for the new tree, but did not receive the support of the other representatives.

In his letter to Borgen, many Britons apologized for criticism of the Christmas tree from their compatriots.

– I want to apologize for my country being so rude in criticizing their Christmas tree. I’m embarrassed by criticism, I’m sorry. Please tell your friends, colleagues and Norwegians that ordinary people in the UK are deeply touched and delighted that you are keeping up the tradition of giving us a Christmas tree, writes Philip Morris, 14.

Take it as a compliment

The mayor of Oslo takes criticism very calmly. He is also pleased that more Britons have provided positive feedback.

– What do you think of one post that “I wish you free reign in this country, we need someone with common sense”?

– This is very good, said a laughing Marianne Borgen, and continued:

– I know that in England it is politically turbulent, so I can understand very well that they are now trying to find a solution to it. So I just take that as a very, very good compliment, said the mayor with a smile in his voice.

Long tradition

This year’s Christmas tree is the 75th in a row sent to London.

The 70-year-old tree is 22 meters high, and was cut down in Fri-Elvåga in stmarka.

The tradition of sending a Norwegian Christmas tree to London dates back to 1947. It started as a gift of thanks for the help and support from Britain during World War II.

Now the tradition has evolved into something more, says Marianne Borgen.

– It has developed into a tree of love, a tree of friendship, leading to the future. Not a few young people are very interested in this tree and what it symbolizes, he believes.