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Helmut Steinbock: »There is enough mulled wine«
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SPIEGEL:
Summer is just beginning, it's over 20 degrees, the sun is shining.
Why do you want to celebrate Christmas now?
Helmut Steinbock:
Unfortunately, our Christmas market in the castle had to be canceled in December.
We said back then: We'll catch up on that in May.
We have dozens of Christmas trees, an ice rink, people can curling, there are roasted almonds, chocolate fruits and mulled wine.
SPIEGEL:
Who would like to celebrate Christmas now?
Steinbock:
We already have a few registrations.
People are really happy about it.
That's something for families.
Some small children haven't been to the Christmas market for two years.
SPIEGEL:
Aren't you confusing small children when you celebrate Christmas in May?
Capricorn:
We refrain from doing certain things. For example, we don't have a post office where the children can hand in their letters for Santa Claus.
The parents would definitely be angry if the children asked for presents now – even though it's not really Christmas.
"Tuesday we continue with a knight's tournament"
SPIEGEL:
How long do you celebrate Christmas?
Capricorn:
Christmas is over on Monday, then I'll dismantle the market.
From Tuesday we continue with a knight's tournament.
SPIEGEL:
So two days of Christmas.
Is there enough mulled wine?
Capricorn:
We have two taverns here that are well stocked.
There is enough mulled wine.
I already said in December that the sellers should stock up.
SPIEGEL:
Do you also sell chocolate Santa Clauses? The best-before date is probably about to expire, so maybe it's still possible to get rid of them?
Capricorn:
No, no, there aren't any.
I don't sell old goods.
SPIEGEL:
In the background, your colleagues laugh all the time.
How much mulled wine have they drunk today?
Capricorn:
They try out the skating rink, but they can hardly keep up.
It consists of plastic plates, so you can skate just as well as on real ice.
And given the temperatures, we don't have to use as much electricity.
SPIEGEL:
Do your colleagues also wear Santa Claus hats?
Capricorn:
Only the Christmas trees have Santa Claus hats on.
We didn't really want to decorate them because we're going to donate them to the Wuppertal Zoo after the weekend.
But I wore a hat for a moment.
I was sweating pretty quickly in there.