World
Latvia's solstice rite shows Christmas tree's fiery origins

RIGA: Dressed in pagan folk costumes, Latvians gather on a square in the center of Riga for a ceremony that some historians see as the ancient precursor to the Christmas tree tradition.

But these colorful revelers celebrating the winter solstice have not come to decorate a tree, but to burn one.

ALL LIT UP A Christmas tree stands in front of the House of Blackheads during winter solstice celebrations at the Riga Town Hall Square in Latvia’s capital Riga on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. AFP PHOTO