The city of Rome's 2018 Christmas Tree has duly arrived and been set up in the usual place in Piazza Venezia in front of the Victor Emanuel Memorial. After last year's flop with the drooping  pine which arrived in poor condition, earning the nickname of "Spelacchio" ("Scruffy"), the city council was determined to take no risks.

This year's tree is a monumental 23 meter-tall giant from the mountains near Varese, optimistically dubbed "Speraggio" - a play on the word "Speranza" (Hope). However, since many of its spreading branches had to be sawn off to allow transportation to Rome, and subsequently nailed on again once the tree was in position, the Romans have begun to refer to it as "Spezzacchio" (roughly translates as "Broken up").

Nevertheless, the 500 shining balls that adorn its attached  limbs assure it an air of festive majesty that poor Spelacchio never achieved. In the end, however, the Romans took it to their hearts.  It remains to be seen whether Spezzacchio/Speraggio will arouse the same compassion and affection.

Info: www.wantedinrome.com