Obama accende l’albero di Natale

epa03499412 First Lady Michelle Obama gives high five to kids after reading a story during the 90th National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the Ellipse behind the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 06 December 2012. EPA/Olivier Douliery / POOL

epa03499415 US First Lady Michelle Obama (C) and Rico Rodriguez (R), actor on Modern Family read a story to kids during the 90th National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the Ellipse behind the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 06 December 2012. EPA/Olivier Douliery / POOL

epa03499418 US President Barack Obama delivers remarks during the 90th annual National Christmas Tree lighting after the tree was lit (seen behind), on the Ellipse athe White House in Washington DC, USA, 06 December 2012. The lighting of the tree is an annual tradition attended by the US President and the First Family. President Calvin Coolidge lit the first National Christmas tree, a 48-foot Balsam fir, in 1923. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS

epa03499420 US President Barack Obama delivers remarks during the 90th annual National Christmas Tree lighting after the tree was lit (seen behind), on the Ellipse athe White House in Washington DC, USA, 06 December 2012. The lighting of the tree is an annual tradition attended by the US President and the First Family. President Calvin Coolidge lit the first National Christmas tree, a 48-foot Balsam fir, in 1923. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS

epa03499421 US First Lady Michelle Obama (L) and US actor Rico Rodriguez (R) read the story 'The Night Before Christmas', to children during the 90th annual National Christmas Tree lighting on the Ellipse at the White House in Washington DC, USA, 06 December 2012. The lighting of the tree is an annual tradition attended by the US President and the First Family. President Calvin Coolidge lit the first National Christmas tree, a 48-foot Balsam fir, in 1923. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS

epa03499422 The image of US President Barack Obama (C) is seen reflected in glass as he approaches the stage with his daughter Sasha (L) to attend the 90th annual National Christmas Tree lighting, on the Ellipse at the White House in Washington DC, USA, 06 December 2012. The lighting of the tree is an annual tradition attended by the US President and the First Family. President Calvin Coolidge lit the first National Christmas tree, a 48-foot Balsam fir, in 1923. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS

WASHINGTON – Barack Obama e famiglia hanno acceso le luci dell’albero di Natale nazionale. Ad accompagnare gli Obama nella cerimonia tv che ha ripreso il magico momento, Neil Patrick Harris. Ad esibirsi sono stati tra gli altri i cantanti Kenneth ‘Babyface’ Edmonds, Ledisi, Jason Mraz, James Taylor e il gruppo The Fray. Quest’anno l’abete è nuovo ed è stato trapiantato a ottobre sulla Ellipse, parco che si trova tra la Casa Bianca e il National Mall. L’albero usato per il Natale dello scorso anno è morto dopo appena un anno dal trapianto. Prima di questo, l’abete utilizzato per oltre trent’anni era stato abbattuto dai venti nel febbraio 2011.