Rhineland-Palatinate Christmas markets ready for new season
Mulled wine, gingerbread and live music: in many Rhineland-Palatinate towns, planning for the Christmas markets is in the home straight - in some they have already opened. This year, organizers are expecting the second year of festivities without coronavirus restrictions. Despite higher costs, various organizers expect moderate price increases.
Mainz
In the state capital of Mainz, the Christmas market will once again take place this year at the cathedral on an area of around 12,000 square meters. "We are all glad that corona is now over," says Marco Sottile, spokesman for the Christmas market suppliers. "People were already looking forward to it last year," said Sottile about the Christmas celebrations without coronavirus restrictions.
Despite increased energy, procurement and personnel costs, only moderate price increases are expected this year, he added. "The city has accommodated us with the stand fees, which have been reduced by 70 percent," said Sottile. This means that the costs for stall operators remain at the same greatly reduced level as last year.
"Unfortunately, we have to go up to 4.00 euros for normal mulled wine," says Sascha Barth, also a spokesperson for the Mainz suppliers, who has a mulled wine stand himself. In 2022, it was still 3.50 euros. However, mulled wine made from Dornfelder, Pinot Noir or Chardonnay has also previously cost 4.00 euros.
In Mainz, visitors can expect a musical stage program. The Christmas market wants to do away with "continuous sound" at the individual stands - "so that you don't have to listen to three different Christmas songs in the catchment area", said city spokesman Ralf Peterhanwahr.
Koblenz
Preparations are also underway in Koblenz so that the Christmas market can start on November 24 on seven squares in the old town. This year, 130 to 135 stall holders are represented, said organizer Detlef Koenitz. According to the organizers, this is the largest Christmas market in Rhineland-Palatinate in terms of area. "A good party atmosphere has developed at the Christmas market in recent years," said Koenitz. Many people come together there after work. Among other things, it offers visitors an arts and crafts market. The so-called "Christmas Garden" runs in parallel on the colorfully illuminated Koblenz Fortress, which visitors can reach by cable car.
Trier
Trier's Christmas market also kicks off the season on November 24. It will take place in front of Trier Cathedral on the medieval main market square. This year, after a three-year break, the German Mulled Wine Queen will be crowned there again, said Thomas Vatheuer, spokesman for the Trier Christmas Market Consortium. In cooperation with the relevant authorities, there is also a separate security concept for the market this year.
Ludwigshafen
The Ludwigshafen Christmas market was the earliest in the country to start the season on November 8. With a Ferris wheel, visitors can also expect a funfair atmosphere here. In consultation with exhibitors, prices have remained largely stable, said Markus Lemberger, spokesman for the congress and marketing company Lukom.
Kaiserslautern
The pre-Christmas season begins this Monday at the Lautr Advent. "For the first time since Corona, our market is fully staffed in all areas," said a city spokeswoman. For the younger Christmas market visitors, there is a Christmas bakery in Kaiserslautern where children can bake their own cookies under expert guidance. On the four Advent Saturdays, people can reportedly travel around the city on public transport free of charge.
Safety
As in previous years, there will be security concepts in all cities - including mobile barriers against trucks and other vehicles. Security services and police officers will also be on duty.
Question mark Gema fees
Prior to the Christmas market season, negotiations between cities, local authorities and event organizers with the music collecting society Gema focused on money and the amount of fees that have to be paid for playing music. According to the current tariff, Mainz could be asked to pay around 60,000 euros - after around 4670 euros were incurred last year.
Meanwhile, Gema announced a goodwill arrangement that applies for 2022 and the coming season. This should prevent drastic cost increases for the time being. However, it remains to be seen what will happen in the future. Several Christmas market organizers had already announced that they would play royalty-free music instead of "Last Christmas" and the like if in doubt - or even skip it altogether.
In Mainz, municipalities working at the Christmas market have collaborated with the city to keep stand fees low, allowing stall operators to maintain affordable costs, despite a slight increase in mulled wine pricing. Meanwhile, Koblenz's Christmas market, spread across seven old town squares, attracts a large crowd each year with its vibrant party atmosphere and various arts and crafts stalls.
Source: www.dpa.com
