IN LIVING COLOR DECEMBER CHALLENGE

A Christmas Market in the Snow

Glimpses of holiday cheer in a small Austrian town

Christmas celebrations in Austria begin early. Especially since there is no Thanksgiving in Europe. So, I woke up on the morning after Halloween in the small Austrian town of Linz to find my neighbors already had their Christmas display up. It threw a warm spirit of celebration into the chill of late autumn.

Later, in the weekend, we would stroll down the road to discover our small neighborhood Christmas Market, better known as Weihnachtsmarkt in Austria, had opened. As autumn transitioned into the winter, the spirit of celebration continued to sparkle brightly, even in the snow.

Christmas markets are a unique part of the Christmas celebrations in Europe, where entire streets in the central part of the city are converted into markets, beginning from early December and continuing till Christmas Eve. These markets usually have stalls, which sell Christmas handicrafts, decorations, cuisine, and treats. But the most important ingredient to all markets, big or small, is Glühwein, or mulled wine, which has a special charm in a Christmas market in the snow. While wine is always served in a glass, Glühwein only comes in a cup because it is always warm.

The tradition of Christmas Markets, which began in Germany, has now spread through this part of Europe. Today, towns in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and many parts of Eastern Europe continue to mark the coming of Advent with the opening of their Christmas markets. In keeping with this tradition, the central square in Linz was transformed into a Christmas Market, beginning from the Advent weekend in early December.

But as the first snow has already fallen this year, it is quite literally a Christmas Market in the snow. This is most evident in the central park, which goes by the wonderful name of the Volksgarten or the People’s Garden. Unlike the bigger Christmas markets, the vibe here, like in any small town, is more personal.

But there is also celebration. The colors of green and red are everywhere.

The giant Ferris wheel is out. So are the other rides. Snow has not tempered the joyful celebration of children.

Bratwurst is on sale. The tree of life is ablaze.

Even the hundred-year-old Fountain of Joy is dressed in shimmering festive white for the occasion.

Yet, while the gaiety in the central areas brings a spirit of festivity to the city, it is in the neighborhood markets that you feel community celebration. Here, the stalls that are seen in the city center are missing. But the community gathers together, sometimes around a fire, always with a cup of Glühwein, just to talk, laugh, and bring in the cheer of the season. This is one of my favorite Austrian traditions.

We may be in the snow, sometimes at minus eight degrees centigrade. That’s how low the temperature has already fallen this winter. But the spirit of celebration is everywhere. That’s what transforms the snow into a magical fairytale world of twinkling lights in this small Austrian town.

This is in response to the wonderful December prompt from JoAnn Ryan. Thank you JoAnn!