Read the video transcript here
Mulled wine in Cologne, total failure in Dresden.
It looks so different, the beginning of the Christmas market season in Germany in 2021.
The Christmas markets have been completely canceled in several federal states, including Saxony.
The stalls at the Dresden Striezelmarkt are being dismantled before things really get going.
Passer-by in Dresden:
"Sad but true, but it looks nice."
Sarah Krell, passer-by in Dresden:
"But yes, it really hurts that you have to dismantle everything that you have specially built up."
Stalls, decorations, fir branches - everything has to go again.
At this Christmas time, something more normal should be possible again than a year ago.
But the corona situation is particularly precarious in Saxony.
The incidence is around 1000 and the intensive care units are filling up.
Nevertheless: not everyone sees the Christmas market lockdown as the right means, there are alternatives.
Sarah Krell, passer-by in Dresden:
“It's very sad, I think it could have been solved with the 2G rule.
The stalls are a bit apart. "
With 2G, for example, this Christmas market takes place in Cologne - but here the incidence of around 330 is only a third compared to Dresden.
Vaccinated and convalescent people are allowed in, but a negative test is not enough.
Show proof, stamp on your hand - and off you go to the food stalls.
But there are also controls, spot checks.
Accordingly, the Cologne regulatory office is part of the Christmas atmosphere this year.
The guests also seem to have come to terms with it.
Alex, visitor to the Christmas market:
»I think it's great how it's implemented here in Cologne.
At carnival it was already like this with the 2G rule here in the old town.
It is also controlled, that also has a presence.
And I have the feeling that everyone is sticking to it.
That's why you actually feel good. "
Tim Walther, Public Order Office Cologne
»The majority of the visitors we check are also very satisfied in view of the current Corona situation that the public order office is also checking, making its random checks and also checking the operators.
So you always notice that there is a change of mood at the moment, at first that people were a little fed up with the Corona measures recently. "
Despite the restrictions, operators and guests are happy that the Christmas market can take place again this year.
Alex Salentino, market stall owner:
»Better open than
close, right
?
I also hope that the Christmas market will stay open until the end of December.
We expect that. "
Alex, visitor to the Christmas market:
"It's also nice that Cologne continues to make this possible and not shut everything down, because you can be out there by far."
Whether Christmas markets really stay open until well into December - that should depend on the further infection process.
But this is how people enjoy a bit of normal Christmas time, at least for the moment - but only in some parts of Germany.
