Most people in Britain are aware that they have Germany to thank for many of their Christmas traditions, via Prince Albert’s influence, but now people in Birmingham are discovering yet another aspect of its festive season via the city’s twin town, Frankfurt.
Over the past few years the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market has brought a touch of traditional Germany to the people of the Midlands, and this year its organisers promise 180 stalls full of festive food and gift ideas. Every year more than two million visitors flock to this event, the largest Christmas market to take place outside Germany and Austria.
This, then, is the modern face of the Christmas market but its history reaches back hundreds of years to the Late Middle Ages. The earliest example dates back to 1434, when Dresden hosted the first Christkindelsmarkt (or ‘Christ Child Market’) and this historic fair is still running today, regularly enjoying visitor numbers of more than two million a year.
Many towns throughout Austria and Germany hold their own Christkindelsmarkt, each drawing loyal crowds. Munich’s, for example, is a particularly picturesque event, held in the city’s Marienplatz outside the beautiful Rathaus. With a sprinkling of snow and the iconic Rathaus-Glockenspiel chiming every fifteen minutes, this Christmas Market is an effective antidote for even the most dedicated Scrooge.
Foreign visitors are frequently seduced by the beautifully crafted wooden products sold at the Christkindelsmarkt, from the detailed cribs with their Nativity scene and handmade tree decorations to the gorgeous Nussknacker (nutcrackers carved into the shapes of soldiers, evoking Tchaikovsky’s seasonal ballet, The Nutcracker).
Apart from gift ideas, food products are some of the most popular items available at the Christmas Market. Look out for Zwetschgamännla (figures made of decorated dried plums), Gebrannte Mandeln (candied toasted almonds), Lebkuchen and Magenbrot (forms of soft gingerbread), Stollen (a special cake made with candied fruit), Leberkäse (a type of meatloaf) and several alcoholic treats such as traditional Glühwein (hot mulled wine) and Eierpunsch (an egg-based winter warmer).
In 2007 Romania hosted its first Christmas Market in the town of Sibiu. With the economic aspect of Christmas increasing in importance every year, look out for one of these enjoyable fairs to reach a town near you very soon.
Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market website
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