SPIEGEL ONLINE
- December 18, 2012
Environmental campaigners in Germany are up in arms because increasing areas of woodland are being switched to the cultivation of Christmas trees, which is far more lucrative than normal forests. Now a state government wants to limit the trend despite accusations that it is axing a centuries-old tradition. By Barbara Schmid and Fidelius Schmid more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- December 17, 2012
A man got so merry at a Christmas party that he took his clothes off on his way home and ran naked through a German town early on Saturday morning in freezing temperatures, causing 30,000 euros worth of damage, police said. more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- November 29, 2012
The proud artisans of Seiffen gave the world the nutcracker and are determined to keep their centuries-old craft alive. The Christmas industry in the Ore Mountains of Germany has survived economic crises, wars, communism and a wave of Chinese replicas -- but is now at risk from a lack of young apprentices. By David Crossland in Seiffen, Ore Mountains more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- November 27, 2012
Between 3 billion and 5 billion euros are spent each year at Germany's traditional Christmas markets, which date back to the Middle Ages. But business aside, 'tis the season to be jolly -- and out in the cold clutching a hot cup of mulled wine. more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- October 26, 2012
Halloween spooks are for wimps compared to the grisly Christmastime traditions of Europe's Alps, where demonic creatures come out to punish naughty children or to drive winter away each year. A gorgeous new photography book explores the many guises of these wild monsters, whose traditional rumpus harkens back to pagan rites. By Stephan Orth more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- January 13, 2012
For many German zoos, a high point of the animal year is the arrival of discarded Christmas trees. Thousands are fed to elephants, camels, polar bears and a variety of other animals. The trees are rich in Vitamin C and other healthy properties. However, the tradition is threatened at some zoos because of the use of chemicals to make trees last longer. By Alex Macbeth in Berlin more... [ Comment ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- December 20, 2011
In its efforts to increase tourism, the city of Nuremberg, home to the world-famous Christkindlesmarkt, is seeking to attract more visitors from China. But a recent visit by Chinese guests to the market demonstrated how challenging it can be to pitch the holiday to guests from Shanghai or Beijing. By Nora Gantenbrink more... [ Comment ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- December 14, 2011
With a man dressed as Santa still wreaking havoc in Berlin's Christmas markets, where he has been handing out spiked drinks, police are ramping up their search with a composite sketch of the suspect. They are also warning visitors and residents alike not to accept drinks from strangers. more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- December 12, 2011
Christmas markets in Berlin receive millions of visitors every year and provide a window into German festive culture. But a middle-aged man serving vodka-schnapps spiked with what may be a date-rape drug is spreading fear in the nation's capital, with eight victims in the past week. Your Glühwein is safe, but beware of free drinks from strangers, police warn. more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- December 06, 2011
Jesus may have millions of followers worldwide, but Joseph of Nazareth isn't doing too poorly himself -- on Twitter at least. An anonymous poster in Germany is taking a new look at the Nativity, and is micro-blogging it from the perspective of Mary's man. more...
