Rio de Janeiro inaugurated the largest floating Christmas tree in South America

One of the most traditional Christmas postcards of Rio de Janeiro was inaugurated this weekend (14) with music and fireworks: the Tree of Brazil, located on the waters of the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, in the southern area of ​​Rio de Janeiro . The allegory has a height comparable to that of a 24-story building, with a sophisticated lighting system that changes to show various symbols of the end of the year parties such as angels, snowflakes, gifts, canes and bells that change colors.

The structure that celebrates Christmas is one of the icons of the capital of Rio since 1996. The Christmas tree is placed on a structure of eleven floats, and is kept on every day: from Monday to Thursday from 7:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. early morning. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays the schedule is extended until 2:00 am.

Visiting the Laguna tree (Lagoa, in Portuguese) is one of the classic Christmas rituals in Rio. The technological display surprises neighbors and tourists, since it is 900 thousand LED lights with a sophisticated exchange system. images whose realization cost 13.6 million reais (approximately 3.5 million dollars). The investment was paid by the company Light, an electricity service provider in the state of Rio de Janeiro, and the public sector through tax benefits for the company.

According to local authorities, some 400,000 people will visit the Brazil Tree until January 6. A study by the Getulio Vargas Foundation estimates that 10% of the attraction's visitors arrive from outside Rio, and that 3,800 jobs are generated in the surroundings during deployment.

After the Carnival and the Reveillón (end of the year party), the inauguration of the Brazil Tree is the largest annual event in the city of Rio de Janeiro, and is officialized in the official state calendar.