Dresden (dpa / sn) - After almost three years of a corona-related break, Dresden is allowed to "striezel" again. The construction for the 588th Dresden Striezelmarkt is in full swing, the city announced on Thursday. From November 23rd to December 24th, more than 200 stands from arts and crafts to culinary delights lure visitors to the Altmarkt. The Stollen Festival is planned for December 3rd. "The patience of the citizens and visitors was put to the test, the nerves of the dealers and organizers were strained beyond the limits of what was tolerable," said Mayor Dirk Hilbert (FDP).
In addition to the already decorated Christmas tree, a 22 meter high coastal fir tree from Striegistal, there are already pyramids and candle arches from the Ore Mountains on the Altmarkt. The fairytale forest and gnome cinema as well as a nostalgic multi-level carousel and a historic Ferris wheel also arouse anticipation.
For the first time, the Kreuzchor will be going to the Striezelmarkt and singing Mendelssohn's "Give Us Peace", especially for the people of Ukraine. The Dresden Philharmonic is participating with the specially curated program "Advent from the Palace". For many, Christmas is a celebration of family and joy, said director Frauke Roth. "This year, however, we are also living under the shadow of the current crises: the war in Ukraine, the lack of energy, climate change. It is all the more important to send signs of hope, community and empathy, and to stand up for them Advent and Christmas."
There will also be a novelty at the Stollen Festival on December 3rd. Instead of a giant stollen, this year there are 588 individually wrapped, unique stollen for a good cause. The two-pound copies are sold in a stollen box specially created for the festival at the Striezelmarktbühne. The Dresdner Stollenbäcker donated a large part of the proceeds to the KinderArche association this year.
