O Tannenbaum, 2019

The final element in our Victoria and Albert bicentenary celebrations came in November 2019 with an invitation to serenade the grand unveiling of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s Christmas tree. But this was no ordinary tree. Entitled ‘Freedom’ and constructed from powder-coated aluminium, glass blasted steel and paper, the spectacular installation featured 200 ornately folded white paper origami birds, each with the V&A’s original logo stamped on their tail. It was simply stunning and a world away from the over-tinselled Nordman fir trees usually seen during the festive season.

The tree was gifted to the V&A by the city of Coburg – the Prince’s birthplace, a highly appropriate gesture given Prince Albert’s encouragement of Christmas trees in homes during the festive season. The tree was created by design student Anna Huennerkopf as part of a competition for students of the University of Applied Sciences in Coburg, who were briefed with redesigning the Christmas tree for a modern age. The tree evoked tranquility and joy, and encouraged us to take a moment of peaceful reflection. 

We were delighted to be part of this special moment and enjoyed singing a selection of Christmas carols from the marble balcony of the V&A’s foyer. The acoustic was perfect and, after a quick rehearsal in a private room (those stairs!), O Tannenbaum, Once in Royal and O Come, All Ye Faithful and other carols were soon ringing round the atrium, much to the delight of visitors and museum staff. 

After the singing concluded, a small group was invited to join our friends from Coburg and ‘Victoria and Albert’ in a private reception, where votes of thanks and gifts were exchanged, and speeches made, including by Sir Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A. The choir was presented with a miniature version of the tree as a memento, and we were thanked for participating so enthusiastically in the bicentenary celebrations.

Jackie Freshfield, December 2019