Christmas time in Germany means Christmas markets.
And there are over 2000 of them!
Alright. Let's go!
And each has its own special feature.
She has got to be around here somewhere.
Who am I talking about?
The Christkindl of course.
Nuremberg's world famous market is the ONLY ONE with a Christkind.
It's gotta be quite difficult to find the Christkind in amongst all these people.
Admittedly I'm a bit lost.
I don't know what the Christkind even looks like.
Maybe someone here can help me.
So have you guys heard of the Nürnberger Christkindl?
We did, a little bit ago, and actually that's why we came to Europe.
Amazing!
So have you found it yet?
Not yet.
Is this the tradition where they choose one person
who's like the Christmas angel?
Have you seen it yet?
No, no, we haven't, we missed it.
Nuremberg's Christmas market was first held around 400 years ago.
Today it is probably the most famous here in Germany.
Here in Nuremberg there is more on offer at the Christmas market
than mulled wine and gifts.
There is also a Christkind and it's
their job to open the market on the night before the first Sunday of advent.
But who is the Christkind and what are her duties?
How did she get the gig?
Would I be eligible?
I asked Teresa Windschall who's been the Christkind since 2021.
Wow!
Wasn't she just lovely?
And don't worry – we'll be meeting the Christkind later on
at of their official appearances. I can't wait, we can't miss it.
While I'm here, I can't pass up the chance to try some of the the specialities
the market is famous for, like Nürnberger Elisenlebkuchen.
Hm, that's really good.
I think I might need to buy a whole packet.
Another holiday favourite here in Nuremberg
are these small figures made of prunes called Zwetschgenmännla.
It's beautiful here but it would be nice to get out of the cold.
Let's visit the Christkind at work!
Now it's time to get an inside look at what appointments and obligations the Christkind has.
Now she's going to be reading to children at the Nuremberg children's Museum.
As a child, Teresa Windschall loved to come and hear the Christkind tell stories.
Now she happily answers questions for a new generation of curious kids.
Before she takes her leave, the children show her around the museum.
And they can also take a souvenir photo.
Now I'm back in the throng outside.
The Christkindlesmarkt is the most beautiful after dark when the
market and stalls are all sparkly and bright.
I'll wrap up my visit with the most popular Christmas market drink:
mulled wine, known as Glühwein here in Germany.
Well, there you have it, the Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt.
It was so fun to meet the Christkind and learn
about all of her experiences.
Unfortunately it turns out you have to actually be a Nuremberger
in order to be the Christkind.
But it was still great fun to meet her and learn about
all of her experiences.