Presented by / Darstellung Durch Christkindlesmarkt Presented by / Darstellung Durch Dagmar & Robert

Vienna/Wien 1294 The Vienna/Wien "December market" dates back to 1294. It is considered a forerunner of the Christmas market. The first recorded Christmas market was in Bautzen Germany. The Bautzen Christmas market was first mentioned in records in 1384. Bautzen 1384

Ihr Herrn und Frau'n, die Ihr einst Kinder wart, Ihr Kleinen, am Beginn der Lebensfahrt, Ein jeder, der sich heute freut und morgen wieder plagt: Hört alle zu, was Euch das Christkind sagt! In jedem Jahr, vier Wochen vor der Zeit, Da man den Christbaum schmückt und sich aufs Feiern freut, Ersteht auf diesem Platz, der Ahn hat´s schon gekannt, Was Ihr hier seht, Christkindlesmarkt genannt. Dies Städtlein in der Stadt, aus Holz und Tuch gemacht, So flüchtig, wie es scheint, in seiner kurzen Pracht, Ist doch von Ewigkeit. Mein Markt bleibt immer jung, Solang es Nürnberg gibt und die Erinnerung. Denn alt und jung zugleich ist Nürnbergs Angesicht, Das viele Züge trägt. Ihr zählt sie alle nicht! Da ist der edle Platz. Doch ihm sind zugesellt Hochhäuser dieses Tags, Fabriken dieser Welt. Die neue Stadt im Grün. Und doch bleibt´s alle Zeit, Ihr Herrn und Frau´n: das Nürnberg, das Ihr seid. Am Saum des Jahres steht nun bald der Tag, An dem man selbst sich wünschen und andern schenken mag. Doch leuchtet der Markt im Licht weit und breit, Schmuck, Kugeln und selige Weihnachtszeit, Dann vergesst nicht, Ihr Herrn und Frau´n und bedenkt, Wer alles schon hat, der braucht nichts geschenkt. Die Kinder der Welt und die armen Leut, Die wissen am besten, was Schenken bedeut´t. Ihr Herrn und Frau´n, die Ihr einst Kinder wart, Seid es heut´ wieder, freut Euch in ihrer Art. Das Christkind lädt zu seinem Markte ein, Und wer da kommt, der soll willkommen sein. You men- and womenfolk who once were children, too, You little ones who just begin the journey of your lives Each of you who rests today, and who will work again tomorrow: All listen, hear what Christ child has to say! In every year, four weeks before the time When Christmas trees we decorate, and everyone awaits the feast, Here on this square, just as of yore, this market does appear Which up and down the country they call Christmas Mart. This little town is built from wood and canvas Its splendour's short, will soon be gone, But yet it is eternal. My market is forever young, As long as Nuremberg does exist, as long as you remember it. For young and old the sight of this Old Town of Nuremberg Has many faces and their number can't be counted. Look at this square. Today in its surroundings High buildings rise, and factories of modern times, And many suburbs grow, yet it remains forever, Ye men- and womenfolk: the Nuremberg of its people. The last month of the year has come and thus the day When wishes are fulfilled and presents given The market's lights shine brightly With baubles, glitter and with Christmas promise. But don't forget, ye men and womenfolk one thing: Those who have ev'rything don't need your presents. It's children of this world and poorer folk Who'll tell you what it means to give a present. Ye men- and womenfolk who once were children, too Be child again today and do rejoice When Christ child now invites you all to see this market. Whoever comes to visit shall be welcome . Since 1948 Nürnberg has had a Christian child (Christ kind). The Christian child was portrayed by actresses from 1948-1968 annually. Since 1969 the citizens of Nürnberg select a Christian child every two years. The Christian child is from Nürnberg, she must be between the ages of 16 and 19 and 1.60 meters tall, no criminal record. The Christian child must know the pro log for inauguration of Nürnberg’s market by heart. You men- and womenfolk who once were children, too, You little ones who just begin the journey of your lives Each of you who rests today, and who will work again tomorrow: All listen, hear what Christ child has to say! In every year, four weeks before the time When Christmas trees we decorate, and everyone awaits the feast, Here on this square, just as of yore, this market does appear Which up and down the country they call Christmas Mart. This little town is built from wood and canvas Its splendour's short, will soon be gone, But yet it is eternal. My market is forever young, As long as Nuremberg does exist, as long as you remember it. For young and old the sight of this Old Town of Nuremberg Has many faces and their number can't be counted. Look at this square. Today in its surroundings High buildings rise, and factories of modern times, And many suburbs grow, yet it remains forever, Ye men- and womenfolk: the Nuremberg of its people. The last month of the year has come and thus the day When wishes are fulfilled and presents given The market's lights shine brightly With baubles, glitter and with Christmas promise. But don't forget, ye men and womenfolk one thing: Those who have ev'rything don't need your presents. It's children of this world and poorer folk Who'll tell you what it means to give a present. Ye men- and womenfolk who once were children, too Be child again today and do rejoice When Christ child now invites you all to see this market. Whoever comes to visit shall be welcome.

The majority of the huts are designed and setup by the towns running the markets The setup of the market starts two weeks prior to the opening. The construction of the infrastructure: the huts, electricity and waterlines take one week. The second week is needed for decorations and furnishing the huts.

Some vendors build their own specially designed huts

This hut was designed in the traditional house style with a wood burning brick oven.

Glühwein (Mulled wine) is usually prepared from red wine, heated and spiced with cinnamon sticks, vanilla pods, cloves, citrus and sugar it is served hot.

Nürnberger Lebkuchen gibt seit 1395 Lebkuchen (or Pfefferkuchen) is a traditional German product baked for Christmas, somewhat resembling soft gingerbread. Similar cookies have a history that extends back to the Egyptians, but the style of the traditional Lebkuchen probably was invented by Medieval monks in Franconia, Germany in the 13th century. Lebkuchen bakers were recorded as early as 1296 in Ulm, and 1395 in Nürnberg. The latter being the most famous exporter today, of the product that is known as Nürnberger Lebkuchen (Nürnberg Lebkuchen). Nürnberger Lebkuchen gibt seit 1395

Wood craftspeople

Glassblowers

Herbs and Spices

Some of the Vendors have been participating in the Christkindlesmarkt for generations.

In the latest years in addition to the traditional markets in the city there have been sectional/city express markets as well as markets within the rural areas that were revived or brought to life. On the one hand these markets increase the offer of the municipality for tourists and natives alike, on the other hand they can create a competitive situation. Both the traditional markets and between these new markets an inflation at markets with the designation “Weihnachtsmarkt” or “Christkindlmarkt” can cause fear of loss in the quality. In addition to the traditional markets in the city there have been sectional/city express markets as well as markets within the rural areas that were revived or brought to life.

The Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt has a section designed especially for the children, it is called Nürnberger Kinderweihnacht (Nurenberg Childrens Christmas).

Horse and Buggy rides are available at many of the Christmas Markets to enhance the Romantic feeling.

There is always something unique happening at the Christmas Markets There is always something unique happening at the Christmas Markets. In a recent survey they have named the top 10 Must See Christmas Markets.

10. Krakauer Weihnachtsmarkt

9. Münchner weihnachtsmarkt

8. Salzburger Christkindlmarkt

7. Brüsseler Weihnachtsmarkt

6. Weihnachtsmarkt Kopenhagen

5. Budapester Weihnachtsmarkt

4. Prager Weihnachtsmarkt

3. Weihnachtsmarkt Wien

2. Nürnberger Christkindlmarkt

1. Kölner Weihnachtsmarkt

Chicago’s Christkindlmarket since 1996 Even in Chicago you can experience the German Style Christmas Market.

Whether it’s in the Morning or Evening there is always something happening.

Frohes Weihnachten http://www.christkindlesmarkt.de www.welt.de flottemotte.blog.de www.hanoi.diplo.de www.cdkwv.org.tw http://www.weihnachtsmarkt-international.de http://www.holiday-home.org/de www.budapestinfo.hu www.weihnachtsmarkt-deutschland.de www.epochtimes.de public.salzburg24.at http://www.muenchen.de http://www.marktforschung.co.at http://www.ot-colmar.fr http://www.koeln-magazin.info http://germany-travel.suite101.com http://www.suite101.de http://www.marktforschung.co.at http://www.travbuddy.com www.youthreporter.eu www.perival.com http://de.wikipedia.org http://www.stadt-salzburg.at http://www.w-d-n.de Frohes Weihnachten