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"Little Town of Wood and Cloth"
Every year, Germany's most famous Christmas Market opens
its stalls for visitors from all over the world, right
in the middle of the city, on Nuremberg Main Market
Square. At 5.30 p.m. on the Friday before the first
Advent Sunday, the Christmas Angel opens her market,
reciting the solemn prologue from the gallery of the
church of Our Lady. And as every year, by Christmas Eve,
more than two million visitors from all over the world
will have sampled the delights of the Christmas Market.
About 180 wooden stalls, festooned with red-and-white
cloth, have given the Christmas Market its name of
"Little Town from Wood and Cloth". 200 stall holders
present their traditional wares: Nuremberg spicy
gingerbread, fruit loaves, bakery goods and sweets,
typical Christmas articles such as Christmas tree
angels, cribs, Christmas tree ornaments and candles,
toys as well as arts and crafts products. Favourite
souvenirs include "Nuremberg Plum People", little
figures made from prunes. And of course, by way of
refreshments, there are always rolls with Nuremberg
roast sausages and mugs of mulled wine.
The staff of the Market Department keep a watchful eye
on the stalls and the goods on offer. So plastic fir
garlands are a definite no-no, just as much as non-stop
taped Christmas music or carousels. The market's stall
holders also compete for the most beautiful and tasteful
stall design. And reap their rewards: since 1981, the
City has presented an annual award of gold, silver and
bronze "Plum People" for the most beautiful stalls.
Nuremberg Christmas Market with its traditional image
has also been a model for other Christmas Markets. The
"Little Town of Wood and Cloth" has also been much in
demand as a picturesque backdrop for TV productions. |
