News

On the first Sunday of Advent, at Duke Jēkaba Square, with the presence of Jelgava citizens, the city’s main Christmas tree was lit up, bringing joy until mid-January. Along with the tree, a new large-scale decoration was illuminated – the silhouette of Jelgava Castle, more than 20 meters wide and 4 meters high, as well as six lit-up arches and festive ornaments along Lielā Street.

“Christmas anticipation has begun, a time when we reflect on what we have accomplished and set new goals for the upcoming year. I encourage everyone to be understanding and support each other during this time. Happy holidays!” wished Andris Rāviņš, the Chairman of Jelgava City Council.

The 18-meter-tall Christmas tree, made of more than 30 smaller Nordmann firs, is decorated with ornaments in various sizes in pearl, gold, and brown colors, as well as warm white LED string lights. The tree is complemented by 20 new warm white light decorations – stylized acanthus leaves – vertically illuminated by four projectors. Along with the tree, the silhouette of Jelgava Castle and six decorative arches lit up in Duke Jēkaba Square. Both the arches and castle silhouette feature stylized acanthus decorations, symbolically referencing the baroque style of Jelgava Castle. Additionally, such decorations enhance the lighting supports on the bridges over the Lielupe and Driksa rivers, which were lit up on Sunday evening. Meanwhile, lighting supports along Lielā Street from Jānis Čakstes Boulevard to Dambja Street are adorned with golden, almost five-meter-long string light decorations.

Before the tree lighting, the Christmas gift market set the festive atmosphere. Local artisans and producers participated, offering candles, Advent wreaths, Christmas decorations, gingerbread, hot drinks, and various handicrafts. The lighting ceremony was joined by Santa Claus and elves from the Jurmala Theater. Additionally, the large screen in Duke Jēkaba Square allowed everyone to reminisce about the year’s events in the city.

On Monday evening, the remaining holiday decorations across the city will be lit up alongside the lighting. It is also worth mentioning that acanthus decorations are placed along the Loka Maģistrāle from Riga Street to Aviācijas Street, as well as on lighting supports along the Dobele Highway. New freestanding light structures with acanthus motifs can also be found on Traffic Street and at the intersection of Garozas and Prohorova Streets. Elsewhere, previous year’s decorations are reused – three stylized Christmas trees made from LED string lights are placed at the junction of Rīga and Pērnava streets. The lighting supports on Vecpilsētas Street, Raiņa Park, and Stacijas Park are adorned with thematic light decorations, such as various-sized globes with sparkling snowflakes. Another festive object will be the oak tree in the traffic roundabout on Pasta Street, where LED string light spheres will illuminate it.

In some places, existing decorations are complemented with new ones. For instance, the Christmas trees on Driksa Street and in Uzvaras Park have been adorned with new LED string lights, diamond-shaped silver decorations, and mirror-effect ornaments. The decorations in Pasta Island will also feature previously displayed items – a three-dimensional sailing boat and light objects in the shape of sails, enhanced with the new acanthus motif.

It is worth noting that the large-scale decorations in Duke Jēkaba Square and other Christmas ornaments in Jelgava were installed according to a procurement process by the company “December Design.”

The total budget for the year-end holiday decorations in the city is 82,885 euros, including VAT. This amount covers the creation and delivery of new decorations, the installation, maintenance, upkeep, and dismantling of all decorations, as well as the rental of certain elements.