TORONTO — How do you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day amid a global pandemic? Easy, paint the world green.
Despite the ongoing coronavirus outbreak that has forced several countries to go into lockdown mode, Tourism Ireland has pushed ahead with its Global Greening project, which each year sees hundreds of global landmarks illuminate in green in honour of St. Patrick’s celebrations.
The Smurf Statue in Brussels joins our #GlobalGreening pic.twitter.com/LAuAWqCsWt
— Tourism Ireland (@TourismIreland) March 16, 2020
Now in its 10th year, the annual initiative faced particular challenges, with parades and celebrations being forced to cancel due to the COVID-19 crisis. But after receiving positive feedback from around the world, Tourism Ireland decided to go ahead with its Global Greening plans, providing us all a ‘green’ light at the end of a dark tunnel.
Japan joins #GlobalGreening … here’s the Cosmo Clock 21 (giant ferris wheel) at the Cosmo World amusement park in Yokohama ☘️ pic.twitter.com/Z0uFPI63kC
— Tourism Ireland (@TourismIreland) March 16, 2020
New landmarks participating for the first time this year include Madison Square Garden in New York, the world’s largest beaver statue in Beaverlodge in Canada, a giant statue of a kissing couple in Amsterdam, and even the Smurf Statue in Brussels. Also taking part are the National Museum of Qatar, City Hall in Bangkok, the ‘Welcome’ sign in Las Vegas and the world’s largest Hockey Stick and Puck on Vancouver Island.
The beautiful Temple of Hercules in Amman (Jordan) joins #GlobalGreening 2020 pic.twitter.com/jW8HWC2tZh
— Tourism Ireland (@TourismIreland) March 16, 2020
The world, for the most part, has gone green, and though millions of people are being told to stay indoors to prevent the spread of COVID-19, thanks to the power of social media, we’re all still able to enjoy the view.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day – stay safe and be well!
Ethiopia joins #GlobalGreening … here is Fasil Ghebbi (or Royal Enclosure), the remains of a fortress city in Gondar pic.twitter.com/aYXEegXclw
— Tourism Ireland (@TourismIreland) March 16, 2020
This is the Gate of the Orient in Suzhou, China #GlobalGreening pic.twitter.com/iJ1Q0SLzFP
— Tourism Ireland (@TourismIreland) March 16, 2020
How amazing does the Matti Nykäsen Mäki ski jump in Jyväskylä (Finland) look #GlobalGreening pic.twitter.com/kEwxkBADDB
— Tourism Ireland (@TourismIreland) March 16, 2020
