Traditional ceremony for pre-Christmas market in Germany

Traditional ceremony for pre-Christmas market in Germany

Rebekka Volland, dressed as a gold-foiled Christ Child, recites the traditional prologue for the opening ceremony of Germany's oldest Christkindlesmarkt (Christ Child Market) in Nuremberg, November 28, 2008. The first official record of this pre-Christmas market dates back to 1628. A list of notices for stall holders from 1737 shows that almost all of Nuremberg's craftsmen were represented. Every year, Germany's traditional markets, such as the centuries-old Christkindlesmarkt in medieval Nuremberg, draw millions of visitors, both local and foreign. They open before the first Sunday of Advent and continue until December 24 at 12 noon. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)


A boy inspects Christmas figures before the opening ceremony of Germany's oldest Christkindlesmarkt (Christ Child Market) in Nuremberg, November 28, 2008. The first official record of this pre-Christmas market dates back to 1628. A list of notices for stall holders from 1737 shows that almost all of Nuremberg's craftsmen were represented. Every year, Germany's traditional markets, such as the centuries-old Christkindlesmarkt in medieval Nuremberg, draw millions of visitors, both local and foreign. They open before the first Sunday of Advent and continue until December 24 at 12 noon. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)


An overview shows Germany's oldest Christkindlesmarkt (Christ Child Market) in Nuremberg, November 28, 2008. The first official record of this pre-Christmas market dates back to 1628. A list of notices for stall holders from 1737 shows that almost all of Nuremberg's craftsmen were represented. Every year, Germany's traditional markets, such as the centuries-old Christkindlesmarkt in medieval Nuremberg, draw millions of visitors, both local and foreign. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)


Rebekka Volland (C) dressed as a gold-foiled Christ Child, recites the traditional prologue for the opening ceremony of Germany's oldest Christkindlesmarkt (Christ Child Market) in Nuremberg, November 28, 2008. The first official record of this pre-Christmas market dates back to 1628. A list of notices for stall holders from 1737 shows that almost all of Nuremberg's craftsmen were represented. Every year, Germany's traditional markets, such as the centuries-old Christkindlesmarkt in medieval Nuremberg, draw millions of visitors, both local and foreign. They open before the first Sunday of Advent and continue until December 24 at 12 noon. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)