The traditional Dresden Striezelmarkt is about to change. The fact that there is no longer a giant stollen is not a cost-cutting measure, but a conscious decision for an old market in a new form.
Dresden (dpa/sn) - After the traditional Dresden Striezelmarkt could not take place in the past two years, the 588th edition is to be rethought this year. "We asked ourselves whether this is really good, always further, higher, better, and then decided to consciously rethink," said master baker Andreas Wippler, whose business is part of the Dresdner Stollen Protection Association. That's why there will be no more giant stollen this year - but not because the costs are rising, emphasized Wippler.
The change has practical reasons, said Wippler. The association decided two years ago that it no longer wanted to use horses on the market. "For us as organizers, the safety risk is the most important thing." In addition, the car on which the Riesenstriezel was usually presented and cut no longer had a TÜV. However, visitors need not worry, according to the Dresden baker: "After 26 years it will be different, yes - but not worse."
The Striezelmarkt is scheduled to take place between November 23rd and December 24th. With a new concept, the association wants to free itself and enable new, contemporary thinking. "For example, the corona pandemic has shown us that such a giant stollen is problematic from a hygiene point of view alone," said Wippler. The approximately 100 members of the association have shown for long enough that they can bake the oversized stollen. This year there will now alternatively be 588 1-kilo stollen, the proceeds of which - as always - will be donated to a good cause.
Nevertheless, increasing costs for energy and food have an impact on the prices for the traditional Christmas pastries, said Wippler. "The prices for butter and sugar in particular have risen enormously, sugar is currently twice as expensive." Therefore, customers should expect 25 percent additional costs, according to the forecast of the baker. "Last year we were between 16 and 22 euros per kilo."
Sales got off to a good start at the start of the stollen season. The baked goods are on sale in bakeries and confectioneries until Christmas Eve. Wippler hopes that lovers will spend money on the highlight on the coffee table despite the crisis. "The weather also plays an important role," he added. At the moment it is still too warm to think about tunnels. "But that will definitely change soon."
