Last week they covered the news that in Germany the christmas markets are going to open and that people complaining about that because it is way to early. Traditionally they used to be opened on first advent which happens to be this year on next week sunday. There was a lot of arguing among people on the street that all is about commerce and no ones thinking about the tradition and the purpose of it.
Well, christmas markets used to be a german tradition – coming along with Glühwein and Bratwurst (which I think, I don’t have to translate, because FrizzText covered in his post already the use of German idioms in English language and proved that they are well-known). But nowadays, like Oktoberfest, you can find christmas markets all over the world. And for the tradition… As far as I know they are not related to advent in a sense of a religious tradition. In fact they come from medieval markets held in that time of the year, so people could stock up their winter supplies. So what people complaining about (it is all about shopping, drinking and eating) is what those markets are traditionally about – just adapted to modern time. You go there, eat and drink and fill up your stocks on useless things you buy just because they are presented in such an enjoyable setting. (C’mon, you would not buy that crap in a local store, even not for half the price. Me, personally, I go this year to look for an incense stick holder and a purse.)
That’s the way it can be with tradition. Not less of this traditional advent guys also complain about that Santa Claus is not coming on Christmas Eve to bring the presents (that’s actually christ child’s job). Santa Claus comes on December, 6. to lecture the children about their behaviour during the year and give them presents or not. Which is right, but same guys hiring a student worker on December, 6. to get dressed up as Santa Claus in a red jelly bag cap (that’s Zipfelmütze in English), a red coat and a big white beard. Because they totally forgot that this appearance is an invention of a soft drink vendor.
No matter how many vintage postcards he is decorating – he is a coca cola product. Pic from wikia.com
He is the one and only, the real deal. Pic from kirchenundkapellen.de
So to the guys who see the decay of advent tradition in christmas markets who already open two weeks before due-date, I only have one advice. Don’t go there. Stay at home. Go, when you think it is appropriate. And then try enjoy it.
Off-topic: Funny, the proofread function knew Bratwurst but not Glühwein.
November 24, 2012 at 17:31
the proofread function knew Bratwurst but not Glühwein – but maybe gluehwein? – no – only wine which glows … = a hot cooked wine (with rum?)
November 26, 2012 at 16:06
Oh yes, I am familiar to Glühwein with extra rum. I had my first one on a christmas market in Bocholt quite a while ago.
November 24, 2012 at 18:31
YAY bring them on I say … off to Berlin next woche
November 26, 2012 at 16:06
Go for it.
November 24, 2012 at 19:21
Hein, le marché de Noël de Stockholm est classique avec son “glögg”, mais la Suède, la Norvège et le Danemark sont comme même des pays peuplés par des peuples germaniques. Les Vikings étaient comme même les descendants de ces peuples… Ma langue natale est bien une langue germanique, mais une branche nordique sur l’arbre des langues.
On parle beaucoup du pays de Père Noël, mais même la Finlande le fait, qui était la Suède avant…
“Frölische Weinachten” ou comment vous les germanophones l’écrivez, en Suède on dit tout simplement “God Jul”, mais quand commencèrent les langues germaniques à se séparer ?
Dans trois semaines fêterons nous, les Suédois, une sainte italienne, à la façon nordique. “Sankta Lucia” en suédois. Malheureusement les fêtes de Noël commencent de plus en plus tôt chaque année, qui est triste…
November 30, 2012 at 14:59
Je connais la fête de Santa Lucia, aussi. Je pense en nord de l’Allemagne on la celebre aussi. Ce sont beaucoup des traditions qui se mêlent en Europe. Mais le père noel vient de Finlande, bien sûr.
November 24, 2012 at 22:36
This is funny and so very true. I enjoyed reading this post
November 26, 2012 at 16:07
Thank you very much.
December 1, 2012 at 16:59
Your posts have lots of interesting tidbits in them, but best of all, they make me laugh!
A good thing, in the dark days of winter —
December 3, 2012 at 14:59
You are so nice to me, thanks a lot.