Institutional portal - Municipality of Milan

The call to action to participate in the "Christmas of Trees" project was presented today to companies. The idea developed by Marco Balich and donated to Milan by the Bracco Foundation to bring joy back through solidarity and beauty spread throughout all the neighborhoods of the city.

Milan, September 22 2020 – Rekindle Milan, its commercial axes and main streets even in the decentralized and external neighborhoods thanks to a project with a strong social and artistic value. This is the objective of the municipal administration for Christmas 2020. With the help of businesses and non-profit associations, we want to make the Christmas holidays a moment of solidarity between the different souls of the city and of mutual support between neighborhoods and an opportunity for rebirth.

The initiative was presented today at Palazzo Reale to companies that wish to join the project during a meeting attended by the Mayor Giuseppe Sala, the councilor for Tourism, Sport and Quality of Life Roberta Guaineri, Diana Bracco President of the Bracco Foundation and Marco Balich, Creative Director and chairman Balich worldwide shows.

Milan has chosen to adopt the symbol of the tree to unite and describe a composite and inclusive city through the values ​​of solidarity and hospitality, sustainability and beauty. Trees not only in the center but in every neighborhood; moments of solidarity centered on giving, the true essence of Christmas; lights and colors in commercial streets, even decentralized ones; and then music and multimedia shows.

This year, more than ever, the city will make Christmas a celebration for everyone, bringing together charities that will have the opportunity to deliver gifts to all needy families. An opportunity also to network and enhance the many social responsibility initiatives that already exist in every part of the city, thus bringing them back to a single, innovative and recognizable concept, all under the artistic direction of Marco Balich.

The Art Trees will be the symbol of Christmas spread throughout the city. Different and unique, the trees can be created by those companies that have a strong connection with the city and want to see it reborn. Each tree will represent the heart of its neighborhood.

The large tree in Piazza del Duomo will be the Tree of Gift and will embody the energies and differences of the city represented by its 100 souls. The Giving Tree will be sustainable; during the day it will live green and bright, as per tradition and, as the evening arrives, it will light up giving the square a show of lights and sounds.

In such a difficult moment also for the arts, entertainment and social life of the city, the Christmas of the trees wants to give an important signal of hope thanks to a tradition, that of Christmas, strongly rooted in the fabric of the city. In this situation, Milan wants to demonstrate that it is a united and responsible community, which continues to build rebirth and plan for the future.

December 7th, the feast of Sant'Ambrogio and with the delivery of the Civic Merit Awards and the Premiere of the Teatro alla Scala, will this year become the opportunity to give a sign of ignition to Milan which will start from Piazza Duomo and will spread to all the neighborhoods of the city.

Joy and trust can be spread through art and beauty, bringing back light and opening new horizons and hopes driven by talent, ingenuity and the desire to dream.

Downloadable image of the Giving Tree

The Christmas of the trees: a creative idea to rekindle Milan