Sunday evening, a 45-metre Christmas tree was lit at the entrance of the Samaria Gorge, on the Omalos Plateau — a spectacle that instantly drew attention far beyond the White Mountains. Promoted as the tallest Christmas tree in Europe, the structure became a gathering point for thousands, while simultaneously igniting a wave of concern among environmental scientists, local observers, and institutions tasked with protecting one of Greece’s most sensitive natural areas.
The lighting ceremony, held just a short distance from the entrance to Samaria Gorge, attracted an estimated 5,000 visitors to Omalos. Festive music filled the plateau, with familiar Christmas melodies — including We Wish You a Merry Christmas — accompanying the moment the lights came on. For many attendees, it was a striking and emotional winter gathering in a place rarely associated with large-scale events.
For others, however, the event raised urgent questions.
Beyond official statements and institutional reactions, the strongest response has come from locals themselves. On social media, reactions were immediate, emotional, and often biting — reflecting a deep discomfort with the idea of a monumental, metallic Christmas installation placed at the edge of one of Europe’s most protected natural landscapes.
Lizeta Agkopian captured the shock felt by many in a blunt comment that quickly circulated online:
“Christ and the Virgin Mary! Which genius thought up this monstrosity?”
Miranda Vlachou framed the installation as something far larger than a holiday decoration, writing:
“It reflects the current image of the country.”
Others turned to traditional Greek irony. Vangelis Markakis summed up the criticism with a well-known proverb:
“What does the mangy dog lack? A pearl-studded fez.”
A phrase often used to describe unnecessary, flashy additions imposed where care, restraint, or basic respect are missing.
Together, these reactions reveal a common thread: the sense that the Christmas tree is not merely out of place but also symbolically misaligned with the location’s spirit and the values associated with it. For many locals, Samaria does not need amplification, spectacle, or records. Its power has always been quiet.
A Protected Landscape Under Scrutiny
The Samaria Gorge is not simply a dramatic backdrop. It lies within the core of the White Mountains National Park and is one of the most strictly protected natural areas in Greece and Europe. According to experts, the Christmas tree installation stands approximately 100 metres from the park’s core zone, within a designated wildlife refuge.
Kaloust Paragamian, biologist and Director of the Institute of Speleological Research of Greece, reacted with visible anger. Speaking to local media, he described the installation as incompatible with the area’s character and protection status. He confirmed that an urgent formal inquiry would be submitted to OFYPEKA, the Forest Service, and the judicial authorities.
“The area where this structure was placed is not random,” Paragamian stated. “It is 100 metres from the core of the White Mountains National Park, inside a wildlife refuge. This is unacceptable. Europe funds us to protect these areas, and instead we expose ourselves internationally.”
In a strongly worded social media post, he added:
“What business does a crude tree, a crude nativity scene, and excessive noise have in one of the most protected and emblematic places in Europe? This is a major disgrace if authorities do not act immediately.”
OFYPEKA Responds
The Organisation for Natural Environment and Climate Change (OFYPEKA) also weighed in. Its CEO, Konstantinos Triantis, issued a clear statement emphasising that protected landscapes do not require artificial decoration to be meaningful.
“Protected areas — and especially the Samaria National Park — do not need lights or plastic or metal trees,” Triantis said. “Human activities are not forbidden in protected areas, but they must respect the environment and follow clear rules.”
His remarks underscored a broader concern shared by conservation professionals: that symbolic gestures, however well-intentioned, must not override environmental responsibility.
A Private Initiative, Mixed Reactions
Platanias Mayor Giannis Malandrakis distanced the municipality from the installation, describing it as a private initiative. In his statement, he acknowledged that a metallic structure does not naturally blend with the landscape but pointed to the public turnout as evidence of local interest.
“No one asked me for permission, nor do I know whether permission was required,” he said. “I do not deny that a metal construction does not ‘fit’ the environment. But 5,000 people came up to Omalos to see it, and in doing so they became familiar with the area.”
This comment, while pragmatic, has done little to quiet critics who argue that visibility alone cannot justify interventions in protected zones.
Between Celebration and Responsibility
The Christmas tree at Omalos has become more than a seasonal decoration. It now stands at the centre of a broader conversation about how Crete presents itself — especially in winter — and how far celebration can go in landscapes defined by fragility, silence, and ecological value.
There is no question that the lighting event was emotionally powerful for many who attended. Photographs and video show a rare winter gathering in the White Mountains, with families, music, and lights cutting through the cold plateau air. At the same time, the intensity of the reactions highlights how deeply Samaria is embedded in the collective conscience of Crete.
This is not a debate about Christmas itself. It is a debate about place, scale, and respect.
The Debate Makes Sense Because…
Samaria Gorge is globally recognised not for spectacle, but for restraint. Its power lies in what has been left untouched. Any intervention — festive or otherwise — inevitably carries symbolic weight.
As authorities review the legality and appropriateness of the installation, the discussion unfolding around this Christmas tree may prove more lasting than the lights themselves. It raises essential questions about how protected landscapes are used, interpreted, and shared with the public — especially at a time when Crete is actively promoting itself as a year-round destination.
For now, the tree stands illuminated at the entrance to one of Europe’s most iconic gorges, admired by some, questioned by many, and closely watched by those tasked with safeguarding the land.
[…] renewed focus on protection follows intense public backlash over the recent installation and lighting of a large Christmas tree near the entrance to Samaria Gorge. […]