The challenge was to find a relevant idea for an event that would involve citizens of Madrid, in the City Council Xmas campaign.A Xmas related idea but not a cliché.We create a concept for a participatory action that fulfilled the challenge: the wishing tree that grows with the wishes and hopes of Madrid citizens, for 2008.On that base we build a stunt in the Retiro Park , Madrid’s most famous park located in the centre.

Over 120.000 people participated and wrote their wishes.Over 40.000 people attended the final event of balloons release.Great media coverage in main newspapers (El Pais, El mundo, ABC) and on main TV News.Madrid City Council wants this event to become a tradition at Xmas in following years.

Between December 21st and January 6th, a huge Christmas tree kept growing in the Retiro Park, thanks to the participation of the citizens who went to set down their wishes for 2008. With all the hope of the people from Madrid written down on helium balloons, the tree got to a height of 32 meters.21 actors dressed up like gardener elves, with their giant snails, were in charge of welcome the visitors, provide them with balloons to write their wishes on, inflate them and go inside the tree for an emotional experience: to focus their energy in the moment that their balloon wishes were feeding the tree.The evening of Holy Kings Day (January 6th) took place the final event: the opening of the tree. 49.000 balloons came out of it, colouring the sky of Madrid. Over 40.000 people present could share their feelings wishes and hopes.

A part from the fact of the massive participation, this was a very moving experience not just for the kids but for grown up people, who focused their energy and hopes in the moment that their balloon wishes for 2008 were feeding the tree.We had families, individuals and even famous people visiting the wishing tree.The fact that 40.000 people came back, on the day of the final event to see their wishes flow, shows their implication in the action.