News Feature

Croatia prepares to celebrate Christmas with the Bethlehem torch

17 December 2007

A special torch lit in Bethlehem has arrived in the Croatian capital of Zagreb as the country celebrates a Christmas season full of tradition.

For the past 15 years, the Scouting Association has been sending a child to the Israeli town to light the torch in the cave where Jesus is supposed to have been born.

The torchlight is then distributed through Europe as a symbol of peace. Samanta Kosinak, who is 13 years old, brought the Bethlehem torch to the Zagreb Cathedral, watched by three hundred people.

Zagreb's cathedral is the city's most famous building and people holidaying in Croatia often visit to see the spires of this 11th century gothic church.

Scouts from around Croatia gathered to see the candles lit in the cathedral and then light their own torches to take the light to Dalmatia and other areas of the country.

The Bethlehem torch will also be used to light candles in Croatia's parliament.
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