Marchand, Schuldt, Krampus launch German Christmas Market festivities
Cassandra Kerwin
cassandra@qctonline.com
The 17th German Christmas Market is now open! Until Dec. 23, locals and tourists can savour German flavours, mulled wine, gingerbread and pretzels, and enjoy puppet shows and parades featuring Saint Nicholas and the Krampus. Even Santa Claus – the real one – will stop in to hear children’s Christmas wishes.
Despite the lack of snow, Old Quebec City has trans- formed into a magical Christ- mas village. The wooden cabins decorated with pine branches and lights create a path from Place D’Youville to the Jardins de l’Hôtel-de-Ville, Place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville, Rue Sainte- Anne and Place d’Armes. The designers of the sites added something different to each one, such as stained glass birdhouse lanterns opposite the Cathedral-Basilica Notre-Dame de Québec, and a light-and-sound show amid a fir-tree backdrop developed by Clemens Schuldt, the musical director of the Orchestre Symphonique de Québec, who officially launched the show.
During the opening ceremony on Nov. 21, Britta Kröger, president of the German Christmas Market, said, “I would like to greet those who have come from far away. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being so loyal for 17 years. Compared to the 400 years of history of Christmas markets in Germany, we still have a long way to go, but we’re getting there! Come several times, and each time, you’ll discover something new.”
“I hope you share this Christmas magic with many people,” said Mayor Bruno Marchand. “Britta Kröger believed in it 17 years ago, and year after year, she works hard to make it happen, and we thank her and her team for that.”
To hear a memorable Christmas story, find a seat at the Theaterplatz for the popular French-language marionette show Un Krampus au Village. The story suddenly springs to life as Krampuses, Saint Nicholas, an angel, an accordion player and a ringmaster parade through the market. According to European folklore, Saint Nicholas, the Krampus and an angel visit children on Dec. 5, Krampusnacht, to either give gifts to the good children or beat the naughty ones with a stick. In Quebec City, the Krampus is more of a prankster, handing out potatoes and onions and making people smile and laugh.
Weather permitting, giant marionettes of Saint Nicholas and Krampus will depart from Place D’Youville at 7 p.m. on Nov. 30 and Dec. 14, parading up Rue Saint-Jean to the Cathedral-Basilica. This always attracts a large crowd who marvel at the marionettes that seem to come alive in the torchlight.
Over the next three weeks, the German Christmas Market offers a packed schedule – arts and crafts workshops, games and puzzles in the Kinder- chalet Ravensburger; choirs singing carols in Place Royale and on Avenue Cartier; and live music in Place D’Youville. Be- tween activities, taste and sa- vour German-inspired dishes, and drinks like glühwein (hot wine with spices), schnapps and hot cider. The sites are open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Thursday to Sunday (clos- ing at 6 p.m. on Sundays), and exceptionally on Monday, Dec. 23, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The light show takes place once an hour after nightfall in front of the grove of fir trees near the basilica.
For more information, visit mnaq.ca/en/program.