Sara Cox unveils the stunning Amaluna Christmas Tree in support Oxfam’s women’s rights campaigning
This week, Oxfam supporter Sara Cox officially switched-on the lights of the Cirque du Soleil ‘Amaluna Christmas Tree in St Pancras International, following a breath-taking performance in the station by the cast of the critically-acclaimed production. Throughout the festive season the Amaluna Christmas Tree will raise awareness and money for Oxfam’s women’s rights campaigning.
The stunning, 12-metre-high tree includes Amaluna’s famous Water Bowl at its centre, featuring moving underwater projections from the cast and acts from the show. Taking pride of place on the concourse at St Pancras from 21 November until 3 January 2017, the tree will also bring the Cirque du Soleil spectacular to life for visitors and commuters through a program of exclusive activities.
The most popular Cirque du Soleil show in its 20-year UK history, Amaluna will roll into London’s Royal Albert Hall from 12 January 2017, inviting audiences to a mysterious island governed by Goddesses and guided by the cycles of the moon. Amaluna is a tale of castaway romance and the challenges that true love presents, and draws on the theme of female empowerment with a cast made up of predominately women and featuring an all-female band.
As such, Oxfam was selected as this year’s charity partner due to its essential work fighting extreme poverty in support of women’s rights around the world. Sara Cox switched-on the Amaluna lights in St Pancras International as part of her ongoing work with Oxfam as one of the charity’s supporters.
St Pancras International is renowned for its unique Christmas tree creations, having partnered in previous years with Disney Junior, LEGO and Fortnum & Mason making it a must-visit destination on London’s festive shopping scene. This year’s Amaluna tree is the largest and most ambitious yet, featuring a special fibre optic display which will light up each time the public donates to Oxfam during its residency. Every donor will also be entered into a prize draw to win a box for 12 people, with 50 pairs of tickets for Amaluna’s London premiere at the Royal Albert Hall 12 January 2017 also up for grabs.
Sara Cox said: “It’s such a thrill to switch on the lights of this amazing Cirque du Soleil Christmas tree, which is beautiful also for what it will do. The tree is raising money for Oxfam’s work around the world, helping people struggling from extreme poverty. A better, fairer, kinder world – that’s my Christmas wish, and I hope it’s yours too. So please donate to help and see the tree light up with a special sparkling thank you!”
Mark Goldring, Oxfam GB CEO, said: “Cirque du Soleil’s magnificent Christmas tree is a symbol of the hope and joy we all want to feel at this time of year. Oxfam shines a light of hope wherever the grind of poverty makes life seem dark and alarming. From providing lighting in shanty towns in Haiti and seeds to Ebola-affected farmers in Sierra Leone, to helping traumatised families move back home in Iraq, Oxfam is improving lives across the globe. Women’s rights are at the heart of what we do, because the majority of people living in poverty are women. We are so grateful and touched by Cirque du Soleil’s support. The money raised by both the tree and the 300 tickets to the premiere of Amaluna at the Royal Albert Hall, for sale on Oxfam’s website, are generous gifts indeed.”
Daniel Lamarre, President and CEO of Cirque du Soleil said: “We are proud and truly honoured to contribute to the St Pancras International Christmas tree tradition by bringing this unique, vibrant and spectacular Cirque du Soleil touch to it. The initiative also celebrates our longstanding relationship with London and the warm welcome we receive every time we perform here. We are excited to have the opportunity to give back to the community in such a meaningful way.”
Wendy Spinks, Commercial Director of HS1 Ltd (owners of St Pancras International), said: “St Pancras International’s appeal as a Christmas destination is wide-reaching: for some, it’s the convenience of being able to pick up a present on their way home from work, for others it is enjoying the spirit of the season with our spectacular Christmas tree creations. This year’s Amaluna tree has to be seen to be believed, and, with an exclusive programme of special events, it truly brings the magic of the season to life for family and visitors.”
Dates For Your Diary:
1st December – Christmas in the Community Launch
Join us at the stunning Amaluna Christmas tree for exclusive musical performances as part of St Pancras’ annual festive music programme which continues every day throughout December.
Where: Amaluna Christmas Tree, St Pancras International
Book: free, just turn up
Stayed tuned to Cirquest Pancras for news of exciting events and offers.
St Pancras gift guide and late night shopping in St Pancras
St Pancras’ Christmas Gift Guide is back for another year, packed with great ideas from including Hamley’s Star Wars C3PO Virtual Reality Viewers, to Fortnum & Mason’s signature Christmas hampers and updated with inspiration and special offers throughout the Christmas period.
Throughout the Christmas period St Pancras International will have extended shopping hours from 7.30am until 10pm to allow shoppers extra time to hunt down their perfect presents. For the full range of retailers at St Pancras International and Christmas offers please visit St Pancras’ Christmas
Spend over £50 in a single transaction at any St Pancras International retailer and receive 20% off your Amaluna booking.
To book and find out about other exciting events and offers, visit: Cirque St Pancras’
Follow the Amaluna tree on online:
#CirqueStPancras
Website: Cirque St Pancras’ Website
Facebook: Cirque du Soleil Facebook and St Pancras International Facebook
Twitter: Cirque du Soleil Twitter and St Pancras’ International Twitter
Instagram: Cirque Du Soleil Instagram and St Pancras’ International Instagram
About Cirque Du Soleil
Some 30 years ago, Cirque du Soleil was but a dream. It was the dream of a small community of travelling performers who would do anything to share their love of the stage, of circus and of the world. The family has grown since then and now includes thousands of dreamers—creators, artists, technicians and workers who toil in the shadows. The dream has become a symbol of Québec pride, an international entertainment company that has brought 35 large-scale shows to life—20 of which are still in operation. The company, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in June 2014, has brought wonder and delight to close to 150 million spectators in more than 300 cities on six continents. Cirque du Soleil has close to 4,000 employees, including 1,300 performing artists from close to 50 different countries.
About Amaluna
Amaluna invites the audience to a mysterious island governed by Goddesses and guided by the cycles of the moon. Their queen, Prospera, directs her daughter’s coming-of-age ceremony in a rite that honours femininity, renewal, rebirth and balance which marks the passing of these insights and values from one generation to the next.
In the wake of a storm caused by Prospera, a group of young men lands on the island, triggering an epic, emotional story of love between Prospera’s daughter and a brave young suitor. But theirs is a love that will be put to the test. The couple must face numerous demanding trials and overcome daunting setbacks before they can achieve mutual trust, faith and harmony.
About St Pancras International
Designed by William Barlow, St Pancras International originally opened in 1868 and for its time was an engineering marvel – it was the largest enclosed space in the world and provided the grandest entrance into London. The station has become a destination in its own right, boasting more shops than any other railway station, its own fresh produce market, the longest Champagne Bar in Europe and a Gastro Pub. This year will see St Pancras International’s retail offering develop with a number of significant new store openings including products in gifts, flowers and food & beverage.
About Oxfam
Oxfam is a global movement of people all working towards the same goal – an end to the injustice of poverty. Together we save and rebuild lives in disasters, help people earn a living, and speak out on the big issues, like inequality and climate change, that keep people poor. And we won’t stop until we get there. Join us! Find out more Oxfam.
