Advent in Salzburg . . .
VOCABULARY
People who are lucky enough to be living in Salzburg – know it already. However, it was great publicity for the city to be chosen by CNN, America’s second largest news broadcaster, as one of the best winter destinations in the world. Salzburg was one of the top 15 destinations to be chosen (CNN called it the most beautiful "chocolate box city") in which to spend the Christmas holidays. Of course, many Americans, British and Japanese people know Salzburg and the Salzkammergut from the Sound of Music film, which is 50 years old this year, and so it is already a very popular destination.
In my opinion, Salzburg and the surrounding region offer so much. It is number one when it comes to Advent markets and each town or village goes to so much trouble to make sure that their Christmas market is special. Last weekend, we went to the opening of the Hellbrunn Advent market and it was wonderful. Admittedly, it was rather difficult to get into the mood to drink mulled wine, eat chestnuts or buy some baubles for the Christmas tree as it was an unbelievable 21 degrees! However, we weren’t going to let this spoil it for us so we paid our€3 entrance fee, which included a mug of mulled wine or children’s punch, and strolled around the stalls which are a little bit different to last year.
Many locals have complained about the entrance fee, which is only applicable on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays and there have even been a few Salzburger Nachrichten readers’ letters about this topic. Many people complain that Mr Gassner, the head of catering, is making enough money out of the visitors without charging more. But I think that they are missing the point. Hellbrunn is probably the most beautiful Advent market in Salzburg, which attracted about 300,000 visitors last year. Most of the visitors came at the weekend and many of them strolled around the market without purchasing anything. The entrance fee has been introduced to spread the visitors out and encourage them to come on another day, when it is free, or to exchange their ticket for a drink. This year there is also a mystical "Krampuswelt" which shows illuminated original masks and costumes and gives an insight into this tradition and the history of "Krampus". They also hope to take away the fear that some people have for these horrific monsters, but it didn’t work for me.
While you are visiting Hellbrunn Park, don’t forget to look at the eight-metre tall Christmas Angel, which was designed by the Salzburg artist, Markus Anders. Needless to say, you can’t miss it. It is made out of white painted steel and the stand alone weighs four tons. It will be illuminated and water from the ponds will be sprayed into the Angel’s dress to give the impression that it is moving.
There are numerous Advent markets and it goes without saying that the Salzburg City Advent market is well worth a visit and it is also very popular. In fact, when it snows and the carol singers are singing on the steps of the Cathedral, it is a sight for sore eyes. Here there is no entrance fee so it is always packed.
Finally, it is worth making the effort to drive to the Salzkammergut and take the boat on the Wolfgangsee to the different Advent markets in St. Gilgen, St.Wolfgang and Strobl. Where else offers such a treat? This is an unforgettable experience and to offer something special, every Wednesday, when it starts to get dark in St. Wolfgang, all the electric lights in the village streets, in shop windows and on the stalls will be switched off and replaced by real candles. Advent as it was in times gone by. to be spoilt for choice – die Qual der Wahl haben publicity – Reklame news broadcaster – Nachrichtensender chocolate box city – Postkartenstädtchen popular destination – beliebtes Reiseziel so much trouble – so viel Mühe admittedly – zugegebenermaßen the mood – die Stimmung mulled wine – Glühwein baubles – Christbaumkugeln to spoil – verderben entrance fee – Eintrittsgeld mug – Häferl to stroll around – herumspazieren locals – Einheimische to complain – sich beschweren applicable – geltend readers’ letters – Leserbriefe topic – Thema to charge – verlangen to miss the point – nicht verstehen to attract – anlocken to purchase – kaufen to spread out – verteilen to encourage – ermutigen insight – Einblick needless to say – unnötig zu sagen you can’t miss it – es ist unübersehbar the stand – der Sockel to give the impression – den Eindruck erwecken it goes without saying – es versteht sich von selbst well worth a visit – einen Besuch wert carol singers – Sternsänger a sight for sore eyes – eine Augenweide packed – überfüllt a treat – ein Schmankerl to replace – ersetzen