What do I put on the tree?

by Eleonora Anello

Recovery material and creativity in a magical and joyful mood before Christmas. Little houses, lights, music, sweet spicy and delicacies. Light up the Christmas Market in Trento where this year the administration decided to merge a long tradition deeply felt by the European Week of Waste Reduction. Protagonists, the students of elementary schools, 26 classes, 550 children will participate in "Un albero di Natale creaTTivo" contest of decorations of natural materials and especially of the recycling and reuse. Change of perspective: the children were not asked what they find under the tree but on what you put on it. Ask you to reveal the details about the environment alderman of the Municipality of Trent Michelangelo Marchesi.

Alderman, also an event with strong connotations of consumerism as Christmas can be a vehicle of environment communication?
«The Christmas has always been the biggest feast of the year for Christians. Over the past decades, however, these characteristics have given way to the most economic and consumerist. Christmas has become largely synonymous with "gifts" to do and receive. Based on these evaluations, the Office for Youth Policies and the Environment Service of the Municipality of Trent wanted to repeat themes from different valence, the kind of expectation of Christmas through the preparation of the consolidated actions of the tree, searching for decoration and their construction. It is therefore a discourse of rediscovery of Christmas by a new and ancient point of view, as well as environmental awareness. With "Un Albero di Natale creaTTivo", we asked, in essence, eliminate the traditional glittering decorations, often from the south-east Asia (with the consequent waste of energy resources and implemented often by underpaid workers or youth), made of plastics and synthetic materials hard disposal or pollution. The teachers were able to build a shared project with the kids, to rediscover the genuine feeling of "anticipation" of the happy event and at the same time enhancing the concepts of natural materials, low-impact, of "environmentally-friendly product", "product at Zero Km”, of reuse of materials. This exhibition provides an opportunity to pause in the frenzy of buying, a think back to a deeper meaning of Christmas and perhaps even an opportunity to assess a change in their lifestyles, particularly in relation to environmental issues».

In his opinion, how does the community, in which the occurrence of Christmas, and especially its markets, is a tradition deeply rooted, will respond to this initiative?
«The citizens of Trento have always been very sensitive to environmental issues, conscious and proud of the beautiful environment that surrounds them. The municipal administration is confident that even as simple as this proposed initiative will be evaluated very positively by visitors, but above all by the children, from the school and even from their families, and may be a reason for reflection and awareness of sure impact».

A suggestive appointment that not to miss.