Almost 90 Christmas trees and religious displays reflecting Chicagoland's ethnic diversity are being shown during this holiday season in the office of Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas.
"Holiday Trees from Around the World," an annual tradition in Pappas' office, can be seen by the public in Room 112 of the Cook County Building, 118 N. Clark St., Chicago.
Three-foot-high Christmas trees decorated by sponsoring groups and individuals to reflect specific cultural traditions are on counters and tables through the Treasurer's Office, along with displays from the African American, Hindu, Jewish and Moslem traditions.
The trees may have not only ornaments and tinsel, but also animals, flowers, fruit, balls, candles, plates, boats, stars, flags and other items.
Trees and displays representing the following countries, groups and ethnic communities will be on display through January 4, 2013:
African American, Albania, Argentina, Assyrian, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Barbie Doll, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Canada-Quebec, Carpatho-Rusyn, China, Colombia, Cornwall, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, England, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala.
Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Ireland Northern, Italy, Japan, Korea, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mexico, Native American, Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Senegal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Uruguay, Ukraine, United States, Vietnam, Wales.