Dangerous Christmas Tree Raises Safety Concerns in Sofia
Sofia’s iconic St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is facing an unexpected controversy this holiday season: the city’s Christmas tree is sparking serious safety concerns. Municipal councilor Miroslav Borsos, from the GERB party, has voiced strong disapproval of the festive installation, claiming its construction poses a significant risk to public safety.
An Unstable Structure
Borsos’ concerns stem from the tree’s unconventional foundation. Instead of the traditional ground placement, this year’s Christmas tree has been erected on scaffolding wrapped in vinyl from a construction company. “This scaffolding is not level, it’s propped up with wooden logs – it’s an extremely unstable structure,” Borsos stated.
Adding to his apprehension is the tree’s inadequate support system. The imposing 15-meter tall fir is secured with only nine half-empty sandbags and a few bolts, which Borsos deems “grossly insufficient” to ensure stability.
A Recipe for Disaster?
“This kind of construction is dangerous,” Borsos cautioned. “If people gather around it, there’s a real danger for their safety.”
He expressed his worry that the structure could easily collapse, potentially injuring unsuspecting holiday revelers eager to admire the festive display.
Calls for Immediate Action
In response to the perceived danger, Borsos swiftly filed reports with the chief architect of Sofia, the Metropolitan Inspectorate, and other relevant institutions. He passionately advocates for the immediate dismantlement of the precarious tree and its relocation to a safer position on the ground, mirroring the placement of previous years.
“It’s an absurd Christmas tree,” Borsos declared, criticizing not only the structure’s safety flaws but also deeming it aesthetically unappealing in comparison to previous installations.
A Litany of Concerns
What compounds Borsos’ frustration is the prolonged period during which the construction remained unaddressed.
According to him, the structure has been under construction for over 10 days, and despite his repeated inquiries, no actions were taken to stabilize it.
“I’ve been passing by a few times to see if anything is going to be done about it, but today I found out that the structure is finished and it’s in this dangerous shape,” Borsos shared skeptically.
With the holiday season fast approaching, Borsos expressed a sense of urgency, imploring the responsible authorities to take immediate and decisive action to ensure public safety. “Measures need to be taken immediately,” he stressed.
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What actions has councilor Borsos taken to address the potential dangers of Sofia’s Christmas tree?
## Sofia’s Christmas Tree: Festive Cheer or Construction Nightmare?
**Host:** Joining us today is municipal councilor Miroslav Borsos, from the GERB party, who’s raised concerns about Sofia’s Christmas tree installation. Councilor Borsos, thank you for joining us.
**Borsos:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Let’s get right to it. Sofia’s iconic Christmas tree is causing quite a stir.
What’s the main issue?
**Borsos:** This year’s installation is not just unconventional, it’s downright dangerous. This towering fir isn’t rooted in the ground like tradition dictates. Instead, it’s perched precariously on scaffolding covered in vinyl, propped up with wooden logs.
**Host:** That sounds… unstable.
**Borsos:** Exactly! And that’s not all. The support system is woefully inadequate. Nine half-empty sandbags and a handful of bolts are supposed to hold this 15-meter (nearly 50 foot!) tall tree upright. It’s grossly insufficient.
**Host:** You’ve voiced your concerns to the authorities?
**Borsos:** Absolutely. I’ve taken this very seriously. I’ve reported the issue to the chief architect of Sofia, the Metropolitan Inspectorate, and other relevant bodies. Public safety must come first.
**Host:** What’s your message to the people of Sofia?
**Borsos:**
People want to enjoy the festive spirit, but this Christmas tree poses a serious threat. I urge everyone to be cautious, stay back from the tree, and avoid gathering around it. We can celebrate the holidays without putting ourselves at risk.
**Host:** councilor Borsos, thank you for your time and for raising this important issue.
**Borsos:** Thank you for having me.
