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MadScientist's Christmas Fair Survival Guide (2)

Posted by
MadScientist (Düsseldorf, Germany) on 16 December 2008 in Miscellaneous.

On our journey through the wonderworld of German Christmas fairs we have to face a harsh truth. It's rule #2:

Don't take anything seriously.

It's called a Christmas fair, but don't expect Protestant profoundness here: the Weihnachtsmarkt is something that people from Bavaria would call a Gaudi, an opportunity for having fun. So it was no wonder that the refrain of a song we took notice on one of the fairs was "Hosianna everywhere!" (perhaps it sounds more funnily when sung in the typical Rhenish idiom that for most people sounds like a strange singsong). While strolling about a Weihnachtsmarkt at Cologne's Rudolfplatz we found this eclectic composition of figurines, depicting the eternal struggle between Eros and Thanatos. (Of course you can also buy nice pottery, Christmas tree balls, and crib figurines. More about this tomorrow.)

The whole series: [Introduction] [Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3] [Part 4] [Part 5] [Epilogue]

mat from brest, France

funny shot

16 Dec 2008 6:48am

@mat: This booth was somewhat unexpected. :-) Thanks, mat!

Linerberry from Sumner, Christchurch, New Zealand

Ooo I say...very risqué ! Funny what people will buy !!

16 Dec 2008 7:56am

@Linerberry: Well, anyone can buy crib figurines... ;-)

Observing from West Cheshire, United Kingdom

There are only three figures that I like... you can keep the dragons and devils.

16 Dec 2008 10:31am

@Observing: There were many more, but this was the most interesting corner of the selling place.

Tracey from White Hall, United States

WOW! I think my husband would be hovering in this corner of the fair! Great shot!

16 Dec 2008 11:47am

@Tracey: Great, he could join me and buy some silly things. Har har. ;-)

akarui from Kagoshima, Japan

There is one figurine that I like but my wife won't be happy if I bring it home :)

16 Dec 2008 11:58am

@akarui: I would buy two different figures, this would soften the irritation a bit. :-)

Veronelle from Lens, France

gold and red, beautifull colours

16 Dec 2008 12:51pm

@Veronelle: Amazing, huh? ;-) You'll like tomorrow's picture.

Eleftheria! from Athens, Greece

So beautiful, in the Christmas spirit!

16 Dec 2008 3:07pm

@Eleftheria!: Hehe, a very special spirit! :-D

PD from Overland Park, Kansas, United States

Yeah - these dont look like Christmas figurines. I would like to visit Germany - but I guess not during this time of year??

16 Dec 2008 4:27pm

@PD: You shouldn't visit Germany from November to March.
1. It's dark, wet, and cold.
2. During Advent time cities are crowded, crowded, and even more crowded.
3. At Christmas the country is virtually asleep.
4. Unless you don't hate carnival, you might dare a visit in late winter, but you have been warned!

dj.tigersprout from San Bruno, CA, United States

this is a much more intriguing Christmas theme than i am used to -- ;) much 'warmer' i would say too!! wonderful color!! and intriguing figurines!!!!

16 Dec 2008 5:16pm

@dj.tigersprout: It's that warm that some of the figurines were forced to take their clothes off! Climate change! ;)

Laurie from New Jersey, United States

Oh my! It is interesting what you found at this Christmas Fair!

16 Dec 2008 5:45pm

@Laurie: Tomorrow something more adequate! :-)

JoeB from Brampton, Canada

I guess anything goes, would have never guessed that the figures are sold at a Christmas Fair.

17 Dec 2008 2:13am

@JoeB: They came a bit surprising to us too. But that was the only booth with that somewhat different assortment. :)

Ronnie 2¢ from London, United Kingdom

I'm thinking I might dispense with the tree, tinsel and garlands this year and just have the one central figurine . . . but the chances are Observing has taken that one already !

17 Dec 2008 6:13pm

@Ronnie 2¢: Now I wonder which one this might have been... :-)

Laurent from Lyon, France

unexpected things you founded for a Xmas market

17 Dec 2008 9:14pm

@Laurent: Ha, you bet! (But we didn't have to search for a long time.)

Twelvebit from Victoria, United States

You've got lots cooler shit over there than I can ever find around here. I really like that couple figure center forward.

18 Dec 2008 11:40pm

@Twelvebit: I think you are not alone! :-)

Japanalia from Yokohama, Japan

Ooops! There no Heaven here! much more like peeping in Hell.....biut..the Angels in Hell don't look that bad,either!

12 Mar 2009 4:07am

@Japanalia: A few days later some of these figures were sold - the seller couldn't be completely wrong! :-D