Riga resident studies Christmas tree history

When a reader from Riga takes the time to respond to something he read in the Suburban News it can be newsworthy - especially when he lives in Riga, Latvia.

Mike Johnson, an American living in Latvia, read with interest an article posted on the newspapers website (December 11 edition) about Spencerport's first Christmas tree. Johnson, who is the general manager for the Patricia Tourist Office in Latvia, is currently looking to promote Latvia as the birthplace of the Christmas tree.

According to a release written by Johnson, "Many sources credit the first Christmas tree to Martin Luther's walk in the forest near Riga, Latvia in the year 1510. The Martin Luther Tree actually occurred several decades later, however, and was not the Riga tree."

Johnson said little is known about the original Riga tree other than the fact that it was attended by men wearing black hats, and that after a ceremony, they burned the tree. This was a mixture of pagan and Christian custom, as were very many of the customs in Central Europe. Johnson has also referenced documents that indicate that the tree was decorated with paper flowers and dried fruits.

Johnson, originally from Olympia, Washington, and a Hewlett-Packard retiree, said he traveled to Latvia "on a lark."" Once there he fell in love and married a woman who owns the tourism company for which he now works. After hearing a rumor that Latvia was the birthplace of the Christmas tree he began researching and then promoting the connection.

Johnson said he hopes this history will help entice others to discover this Eastern European country that he enjoys. He would also like to coordinate an opportunity for people from other countries to send tree ornaments to be placed on the Riga tree for next Christmas.

The majority of the people in Latvia, which has a population slightly above two million, celebrate Christmas. Johnson said the population is roughly 30 percent Lutheran, 30 percent Catholic and 20 percent Russian Orthodox. The biggest holiday in Latvia is the mid summer festival, June 23. The country comes to a complete stop as everyone goes with family or friends to the countryside to party.

Johnson stumbled on www.westsidenewsonline.com while doing research on Google. He is excited to share Christmas tree history with the residents of upstate New York and hopes to form a relationship with the Town of Riga in Monroe County, New York.

"Sometimes I feel funny with all my Internet domains (like www.rigalatvia.net) aimed directly at Riga Latvia and leaving Rigas in the USA hidden," Johnson said. "Any assistance to open this door and send a friendly olive branch would be appreciated."

December 25, 2005