Prettiest Xmas trees in London: Alighieri x The Television Centre

This year, Television Centre’s iconic Christmas Tree has been crowned with The Alighieri Hand of Protection, a sculpture to symbolise a guiding message of hope this festive season. Curated by London-based jewellery brand, Alighieri, the installation that floats atop the twelve-metre-tall tree is in support of Refuge.

Dreamt up by founder Rosh Mahtani when she was going through a dark time, Alighieri was inspired by Italian poet, Dante Alighieri, and his story of being lost in a dark wood, searching for strength and courage. Each piece has a story and invites you to unlock your own.

Positioned on Television Centre’s forecourt, one of the brand’s signature talismans, ‘The Curator’, has been re-created into a large-scale illuminated installation. Rising above the Tree, the sculpture creates an eye-catching display, beaming with light and finished in Alighieri’s signature gold. ‘The Curator’ was designed by founder Rosh Mahtani, inspired by Canto III of the Divine Comedy. Whilst travelling through the Inferno, poet Virgil places his hands over Dante’s eyes to shield him from Medusa’s glare.

Refuge is the leading organisation protecting women and their children experiencing domestic abuse in the UK and Alighieri will be donating 15% of all sales of the Curator Necklace to the charity this festive period. Signage accompanying the Tree features a QR code encouraging visitors to learn more about Refuge’s vital work and opt to donate directly.

Rosh Mahtani, Founder of Alighieri and Creative Director of The Alighieri Hand of Protection, commented:

“We are excited to be continuing our creative partnership with Television Centre, following our Mercato Alighieri pop-up over Summer. Alighieri has always been about bringing people together through the universal language of jewellery. The Curator sculpture – a symbol of protection and hope felt like a magical and poignant message this festive season. I’ve always wanted Alighieri to be about helping people feel less alone and coming together to help one another. It’s an honour to continue supporting Refuge with this initiative.”

Gabi Field, Director of Fundraising and Communications at Refuge, commented:

“We are so grateful to Alighieri for their continued support for Refuge – both in raising funds and awareness. This beautiful Christmas display will shine a bright spotlight on domestic abuse during an unprecedented winter of financial hardship for survivors. This festive season, we are making it clear that the cost-of-living crisis shouldn’t cost women their lives. We want to thank everyone who chooses to give to us this winter – your donations will make a huge difference to the women and their children we support.”

Developer and Asset Manager Stanhope and Estate owners Mitsui Fudosan and AIMCo are delighted to bring ‘The Alighieri Hand of Protection’ sculpture to Television Centre.

Visit ‘The Alighieri Hand of Protection’ this Christmas at Television Centre at 1 Wood Lane, White City W12 7FW.