A step towards sustainable traditions: RSU decorates live Christmas tree during festive season

This year, Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) has taken a significant step towards more sustainable and environmentally-friendly Christmas traditions. From the First Sunday of Advent onwards, RSU students, employees, and visitors can enjoy a decorated Christmas tree in the courtyard of RSU, which was planted by the RSU Student Union (Studējošo pašpārvalde, SP) as part of the Green Week 2014 project.

‘Traditionally, we have decorated a five- to six-meter-tall spruce tree that has grown for at least 10 years,’ says Laila Skrodele, Head of the RSU Building Management and Maintenance Unit.

‘But I am glad that this year we have taken a step towards “greener” Christmas and chosen to decorate a living spruce tree that has been planted by our students at 16 Dzirciema iela.

This decision allows us not only to create a beautiful and bright festive atmosphere, but also to preserve natural resources and strengthen sustainability in our daily lives.’

This year, RSU has also decided not to use traditional Advent wreaths, replacing them with heartfelt and sustainable decorative arrangements. This solution helps to preserve coniferous trees, reduces the consumption of natural materials, and saves RSU resources. Some of the decorations were made using reusable and environmentally friendly materials.

Several structural units have chosen to create a festive atmosphere by using live Christmas trees in pots. ‘We already have good experience from last year, when we planted a spruce tree in the courtyard of the Faculty of Social Sciences, which has grown well. We hope that in time there will also be a beautiful and lush spruce tree here to decorate for Christmas,’ adds Skrodele.

Thank you to everyone who has supported and taken part in the implementation of sustainability measures at our university!

May we all enjoy a bright and warm holiday season!