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LUXEMBOURG |
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Location:
Luxembourg(28Nov - 24 Dec 2008)
During the weeks before Christmas, markets flourish all over the country. From wooden huts that are set up
on town and city squares, all sorts of Christmassy goods are on sale: locally produced arts and crafts (candles,
Christmas trees and decorations, cribs, music, etc), and of course plenty of food and drink to warm you from
the inside. The latter include the obligatory mulled wines, as well as the stronger stuff (eg Schnaps, known
as Drëpp). Foods on sale include various soups (with or without Mettwurscht [a local sausage speciality]),
pancakes, Lëtzebuerger Grillwurscht ... , plus the unpronounceable: "Gromperekichelcher". The bandstand in the centre of the square is also very much in use: A whole host of local bands, fanfares, choirs, etc, are performing, bringing
to life the true Christmas atmosphere.
Christmas Markets 2008 in Luxembourg City will be as follows:Place d'Armes in the pedestrian centre of the city.
(open daily from 10 am till about 7 pm; and finishes about 5 pm on Christmas Eve). Advent Market outside the
Gare Centrale: (opening times as above, though this is a much smaller market than the "Christmas Market")
The "Kleeschen" can be seen on many occasions as he comes to all the shops, and receives the children for
photo sessions. Legend has it that "Kleeschen" brought back to life 3 children who were savagely killed by
a butcher, ready to be turned into sausages. Being a good-natured children-loving sort of a guy, he promptly
resurrected the kids with God's almighty help ...
"Kleeschen", in fact, is none else but St. Nicholas. During the night of the 5th to the 6th December (his day)
he and his counterpart Housécker (=Black Peter) enter the houses and bring the children presents in the guise
of (originally oranges and nuts and the occasional pair of socks) toys which can range from simple Lego to complex
computers. The children put out plates on which the legendary figures bestow their gifts. But already days, nay
weeks beforehand the children put their shoes daily on the windowsill or in front of their bedroom door, so that
"Kleeschen" -who goes his rounds to check on children to see whether they deserve any presents- can drop chocolates
and other sweets into them. Housécker is dressed in coarse black clothes and he carries sticks with which he is said
to chastise naughty children.
On the afternoon of the first Sunday preceeding December 6th, "Kleeschen" (and Housécker) arrive in town (at
the railway station) and dole out sweets to kids on their parade to the City Town Hall.
Traditional foods over the Christmas period are "Stollen", a kind of fruit loaf with rum as cake and
Bûche de Noël as ice cream (both are in the shape of a log). On Christmas Day the traditional dinner often features Black
pudding or civet of hare, or venison, or ..., but it may also consist of turkey like in Britain or the States
(The main thing seems to be that there must be millions of calories). After the meal the whole family likes to
go for a walk which is particularly nice if there is snow. Boxing Day is spent in a similar fashion, eg eating
vast quantities of food, which is done -more often than not- whilst visiting friends and relatives.
www.winterlights.lu |
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