"Today, it's unsettling to look back": Kyiv's holiday trees from the past that sparked meme inspiration (photos).

Previously, the main Christmas tree was set up in Independence Square in Kyiv, but after the Revolution of Dignity in 2014, it has adorned the capital's Sophia Square every year. Over the years of independence, the New Year trees have varied greatly — from stylish decorations and bright lights to some rather peculiar designs. In "Telegraph" on December 31, three trees from the past were recalled, which inspired Ukrainians to create memes.

Christmas Tree of 2010

In the autumn and winter of that year, the so-called Tax Maidan took place — entrepreneurs protested against the tax reform. The most massive rallies and demonstrations were held in Kyiv's squares, where protesters set up tents.

On the night of December 3, law enforcement cordoned off the square, and municipal workers began dismantling the tent city. A tree appeared in the square, adorned with bright neon decorations. Its appearance was made even more absurd by the fact that the tree featured the Milka logo in places and was decorated in the brand's colors.

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However, it was not the advertising decorations that made this tree "meme-worthy," but rather a mistake by then-President Viktor Yanukovych. During one of his speeches, he forgot how to say "Christmas tree" in Ukrainian, and after a brief pause, he smiled and called it a "yolka."

Christmas Tree of 2011

At the end of that year, the capital saw its first artificial Christmas tree — a 40-meter cone made of carpet. This time, its appearance sparked a wave of memes.

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Ukrainians compared the main Christmas tree to a rocket, a children's pyramid, an ice cream cone, and so on. They even photoshopped then-President Yanukovych into images with it.

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Eventually, the municipal workers "surrendered" and changed the decoration of the New Year tree, adorning it with garlands. However, the cone tree continued to be ridiculed, being called "a terricone in the middle of Kyiv," "a seed husk," "a creation of cubists," and so on.

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Christmas Tree of 2020

That year, the main Christmas tree was installed on Sophia Square, topped with a golden hat. However, this design choice caused a wave of outrage among some believers. The authorities aimed for originality, choosing a fairy tale theme for the entire New Year ensemble, but the residents of Kyiv did not appreciate it.

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The government was widely accused of "satanism," and the hat itself was compared to a "witch's cap." The decoration was considered a remnant of paganism and an attribute more suitable for Halloween than for Christmas and New Year, thus deemed inappropriate.

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Eventually, the hat was removed and became part of an installation in the square. The tree was then crowned with a star more familiar to Ukrainians.

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Journalists analyzed common mistakes in New Year greetings and explained how to properly express wishes to loved ones in Ukrainian.