Strasbourg’s Christmas market, which dates from the 16th century, is one of the most important in the country. The city is festooned with illuminations and dotted with hundreds of wooden chalets.

This year’s market is likely to be very special for locals. In 2018, a terrorist attack near the market left five people dead and forced a temporary closure. The increase in safety the following year hit footfall – and sales alike. And last year the seasonal calendar was empty because of the pandemic.

France is currently experiencing a fifth wave of contamination, with around 50,000 cases per day since early December. Despite this, city officials decided to open the market this year with anti-infective measures in place. Visitors must wear masks and present certificates proving that they are fully vaccinated or have recent negative test results.

Help

Steve Risch sells a traditional baked cake with honey and spices in the marketplace known as gingerbread. His business has been around since his grandfather owned it.

The lockdown from March to May of last year, coupled with the market cancellation, forced Risch to temporarily shut down its factories and stores, which provide income for around 120 employees. The losses accumulate to the tune of 4.5 million euros. The 43-year-old feared that he would have to lay off staff or even close the business. But a spirit of mutual cooperation came to the rescue.

In the spring of 2020, when the pandemic was only just beginning, face coverings were rare in France. Risch had supplies for his employees, but since his business closed he has donated them, along with disinfectant, to nearby hospitals and nursing homes.

His good deed grabbed national headlines, and online orders started pouring in from across the country as people sought to repay the struggling business for something. Risch, his company and his employees were able to survive and once again draw crowds to this year’s Christmas market.

“The people we helped in the first wave, the people we gave masks and disinfectant to, came to buy our products or ordered online,” says Risch. “It really brought our business back to life. It was an amazing opportunity to finally have the chance to sell our products. I think it shows the magic of Christmas. We are very lucky and we have a lot of gratitude to them. people who helped us when we really needed it. “

Risch will continue to sell gingerbread in his company’s permanent stores after the Christmas market ends. He says he wants to protect his employees and this traditional food culture.

Get together for Christmas

Anne-Marie Rabet, 77, was also awaiting the return of the markets. It integrates a choir organized by the city for its opening.

Rabet had a long career as a teacher and taught singing to her students. Her husband died about 20 years ago and she has been living alone ever since. She spent most of her time at home during periods of confinement last year. Covid restrictions even prevented her from meeting her daughters and other relatives nearby.

When the situation improved, Rabet’s granddaughter, 12-year-old Manoli Lacour, invited her to join the choir.

After a month of practice, the choir performed “Silent Night” and other favorites at the market to huge applause.

Rabet says she was grateful for the opportunity to join the community. “I love to sing,” she says. “This is something I was able to do with my granddaughter when the Christmas market opened. What an experience!

After a dreary holiday season last year, the Strasbourg chalets are back, mulled wine is flowing and we can smell Christmas again.