EQ2_Bloggers
12-22-2010, 07:03 PM
We all know that Christmas is one of the most celebrated holidays in the world* It happens to be my favorite holiday and I cannot wait for it to get here. Can’t Wait? How long ’til Christmas? *2, days. 13, hours.43,minutes …But who’s counting?
When I was little, Christmas was such a fun and exciting time. Like all other kids, I was captivated by this holiday and loved to think of Santa who will bring presents on a sled pulled by reindeer and then drop them down the chimney.
I still look forward to this time of year although it makes me feel nostalgic for the Old World. What do I miss the most? I miss the traditional Christmas markets! If you haven’t been to one of them, you have missed out on a lot.
The Old World has a grand tradition of some of the finest Christmas markets in the world, where you can find everything ranging from expensive gifts, to food delicacies. Did you know that Christmas Markets originated in the 15th century in Dresden, Germany when in 1434; the Duke of Dresden allowed a market one day prior to Christmas Eve. Since then, people have had the privilege of buying their “Festtagsbraten” at such Markets. As the years passed, various artisans also joined the market.* Meanwhile, locals who found themselves a bit short of money started using the Market to make some extra cash; they produced their own homemade handicrafts and sold them at the Market.
Then in 1471, “Stollen”, which was a special kind of Christmas cake, started being distributed in Dresden.* Hundreds of years later, Stollen would become a hugely-popular tradition inextricably linked with Christmas and various Christmas Markets.
Equally important as a tradition has been the drinking of a cup of warm Glühwein, or mulled wine, as you observe the festivities as the market.
While there are many great European Christmas markets, here are a few of my favorites from three countries that I was lucky to visit during Christmas time—France, Germany and Switzerland.
France: Paris Christmas Markets
The Eiffel Tower or the Champs-Elysées is worth visiting year-round. But at Christmas there is much more. In the City of Lights, you can visit one of Paris’ many Christmas markets for a scenic winter stroll and find an outdoor “village” of wooden booths offering gourmet treats like mulled wine and gingerbread, handcrafted toys, clothing, decorations, and other items for gifts. One of my favorite Christmas markets in Paris is the one around the legendary Champs-Elysées. One Christmas Market that I would like one day to visit is the one in the Alsace region. It is one of the oldest and biggest markets in France and hosts more than 35 markets. It is well known for its festive atmosphere modeled after its German counterparts.
http://www.soe.com/images/EuropeChristmas/ParisChristmasMarket4.bmp
Germany: Frankfurt Christmas Markets
Germany easily has the best, if not the most, Christmas Markets. Each large city and town has one of its own, and each with its own flair. Some of these markets last from 4-7 weeks. The German markets are magnificent and have remained largely unchanged, untainted by the commercialism that has infected Christmas in so many places. I remember that the Frankfurt Christmas market had elaborate and creative stand decorations.* I was amazed by its scenery of beautifully decorated stalls, the historical backdrop of the Römerberg market place, St Paul’s church and the gigantic Christmas tree, which makes it look like a winter wonderland. I can still smell the wonderful aroma of baked apples, roasted nuts, gingerbread and mulled wine!
http://www.station.sony.com/images/EuropeChristmas/FrankfurtChristmasMarket.jpg
Switzerland: Basel Christmas Markets
The beauties of Switzerland are never-ending and the brilliantly lit Christmas markets along with their snow-clad surroundings will transport you into a land that is almost fairytale in nature, and the market in Basel is the best of the lot. The Weinachtsmarkt in Basel is the oldest, largest and the most beautiful Christmas market in Switzerland. I have visited this market several times and it happens to be my favorite of all the European markets that I have visited so far. Many people have said that visiting the Basel Christmas market can provide you with a white Christmas market experience since it is located in the Old Town part of Basel. I remember well that all the shops and the facades of many buildings were glittery with a golden glow, and the people were warm and friendly singing romantic Christmas songs such as “Stille Nacht” or Silent Night.
http://www.station.sony.com/images/EuropeChristmas/BaselChristmasMarket.jpg
http://www.station.sony.com/images/EuropeChristmas/BaselChristmasMarket2.jpg
In any case, those European Christmas Markets can provide not only the country’s rich culture but a better picture of its traditions, celebrations, decorations and seasonal warmth and hope that you get the chance to one day visit them.
I want to take this opportunity to wish all of you a wonderful holiday wherever you are in the world!
Susan “Soffrina” Rummani
International Community Relations-France
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Visit This Blog Page... (http://stationblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/22/my-favorite-european-christmas-traditions/)
Visit StationBlog (http://stationblog.wordpress.com/)
When I was little, Christmas was such a fun and exciting time. Like all other kids, I was captivated by this holiday and loved to think of Santa who will bring presents on a sled pulled by reindeer and then drop them down the chimney.
I still look forward to this time of year although it makes me feel nostalgic for the Old World. What do I miss the most? I miss the traditional Christmas markets! If you haven’t been to one of them, you have missed out on a lot.
The Old World has a grand tradition of some of the finest Christmas markets in the world, where you can find everything ranging from expensive gifts, to food delicacies. Did you know that Christmas Markets originated in the 15th century in Dresden, Germany when in 1434; the Duke of Dresden allowed a market one day prior to Christmas Eve. Since then, people have had the privilege of buying their “Festtagsbraten” at such Markets. As the years passed, various artisans also joined the market.* Meanwhile, locals who found themselves a bit short of money started using the Market to make some extra cash; they produced their own homemade handicrafts and sold them at the Market.
Then in 1471, “Stollen”, which was a special kind of Christmas cake, started being distributed in Dresden.* Hundreds of years later, Stollen would become a hugely-popular tradition inextricably linked with Christmas and various Christmas Markets.
Equally important as a tradition has been the drinking of a cup of warm Glühwein, or mulled wine, as you observe the festivities as the market.
While there are many great European Christmas markets, here are a few of my favorites from three countries that I was lucky to visit during Christmas time—France, Germany and Switzerland.
France: Paris Christmas Markets
The Eiffel Tower or the Champs-Elysées is worth visiting year-round. But at Christmas there is much more. In the City of Lights, you can visit one of Paris’ many Christmas markets for a scenic winter stroll and find an outdoor “village” of wooden booths offering gourmet treats like mulled wine and gingerbread, handcrafted toys, clothing, decorations, and other items for gifts. One of my favorite Christmas markets in Paris is the one around the legendary Champs-Elysées. One Christmas Market that I would like one day to visit is the one in the Alsace region. It is one of the oldest and biggest markets in France and hosts more than 35 markets. It is well known for its festive atmosphere modeled after its German counterparts.
http://www.soe.com/images/EuropeChristmas/ParisChristmasMarket4.bmp
Germany: Frankfurt Christmas Markets
Germany easily has the best, if not the most, Christmas Markets. Each large city and town has one of its own, and each with its own flair. Some of these markets last from 4-7 weeks. The German markets are magnificent and have remained largely unchanged, untainted by the commercialism that has infected Christmas in so many places. I remember that the Frankfurt Christmas market had elaborate and creative stand decorations.* I was amazed by its scenery of beautifully decorated stalls, the historical backdrop of the Römerberg market place, St Paul’s church and the gigantic Christmas tree, which makes it look like a winter wonderland. I can still smell the wonderful aroma of baked apples, roasted nuts, gingerbread and mulled wine!
http://www.station.sony.com/images/EuropeChristmas/FrankfurtChristmasMarket.jpg
Switzerland: Basel Christmas Markets
The beauties of Switzerland are never-ending and the brilliantly lit Christmas markets along with their snow-clad surroundings will transport you into a land that is almost fairytale in nature, and the market in Basel is the best of the lot. The Weinachtsmarkt in Basel is the oldest, largest and the most beautiful Christmas market in Switzerland. I have visited this market several times and it happens to be my favorite of all the European markets that I have visited so far. Many people have said that visiting the Basel Christmas market can provide you with a white Christmas market experience since it is located in the Old Town part of Basel. I remember well that all the shops and the facades of many buildings were glittery with a golden glow, and the people were warm and friendly singing romantic Christmas songs such as “Stille Nacht” or Silent Night.
http://www.station.sony.com/images/EuropeChristmas/BaselChristmasMarket.jpg
http://www.station.sony.com/images/EuropeChristmas/BaselChristmasMarket2.jpg
In any case, those European Christmas Markets can provide not only the country’s rich culture but a better picture of its traditions, celebrations, decorations and seasonal warmth and hope that you get the chance to one day visit them.
I want to take this opportunity to wish all of you a wonderful holiday wherever you are in the world!
Susan “Soffrina” Rummani
International Community Relations-France
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Author:
Visit This Blog Page... (http://stationblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/22/my-favorite-european-christmas-traditions/)
Visit StationBlog (http://stationblog.wordpress.com/)