December's Culture Article

Photo by Your Teacher

Christmas Markets

In many towns in Germany and in Austria, Advent is usually ushered in with the opening of the town's Christmas market or Weihnachtsmarkt. In southern parts of Germany and in Austria often they are also called "Christkindlmarkt" or "Christkindelsmarkt" (which translates as Christ child market). Generally held in the town square and pedestrian zones, the markets combine food and drink in the open air, shopping and pageantry as well as tradition. On opening night and, in some towns, every night, onlookers welcome the Christkind, or Christ child, in the form of a golden-haired angel played by a local youth.