Friday, December 08, 2006

Christmas Markets In Germany

Der Spiegel is running a story about Germany's Christmas markets ...

Antwerpen's Christmas Market opens tonight. This article gives you a taste of the winter Christmas tradition that is everywhere here.

For hundreds of years, merchants have erected small wooden huts in the ancient centers of cities and towns all across Germany at Christmas, where artisans peddle handicrafts, baked goods, regional cuisine and millions of liters of Glühwein (mulled wine) to help keep Jack Frost away. For the month of December, right up to the 24th, and in some cases until New Year's, the country's world-famous Christmas markets offer a sort of mini Oktoberfest all across the country, where dirndl-clad Bavarian bar wenches, beer and pretzels are replaced with Saint Nicholas, Glühwein, gingerbread, fruitcake, speculatius and other holiday delights.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

If only the snow would come now ... I'm decorating my x-mas tree on sunday, playing "dreaming of a white x-mas"
It may be old-fashionned but I like it.
Happy X-mas everyone, and try to enjoy it for at least 3 to 4 weeks!

Lut

Di Mackey said...

Hi Lut

Snow ... I don't know, I did love my NZ summer Christmas :)

I'm not sure if we're having a tree this year, I will have to bring wine before Christmas and maybe visit with yours?

Happy Xmas to you.