After the attack on the Magdeburg Christmas market last year, that killed 6 people, “the shock and grief drew many people to churches”, say evangelical leaders.
The oldest Christmas market in the world, the Striezelmarkt in the German city of Dresden. / [link]Striezelmarkt[/link]
Every year, in the weeks leading up to Christmas, the major cities of Germany open their Christmas markets, which are a centuries-old tradition in the country.
Magdeburg, Leipzig, Nuremberg and Dresden, among others, are filled with lights, stalls selling traditional Christmas products, and food and drink.
But this year, security measures have also been increased to prevent incidents like the attack that took place on 20 December 2014, when six people died and hundreds were injured in a vehicle attack at the Magdeburg Christmas market.
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Preparations are underway there for the commemoration of the first anniversary of the attack, and the market will be closed on 20 December in honour of the victims.
“We can’t bury our heads in the sand. All I want is to ensure that everything goes peacefully”, Olaf Haase, president of the Magdeburg fairground vendors' association, told German news website Pro MedienMagazin.
[photo_footer]The Christmas market in Dresden. / Striezelmarkt.[/photo_footer]
The oldest Christmas market in the world, the Striezelmarkt in the German city of Dresden, which is celebrating its 591th edition this year, has invested a further two million euros in security measures.
“People need to feel safe. However, the measures must be proportionate, and checks will only be carried out when necessary”, explained Steffen Rietzschel, director of the Office for Economic Development, in an interview with Pro MedienMagazin.
The security of Christmas markets is also a concern for the federal government. “It troubles me greatly that even the smallest towns now require a comprehensive security plan to hold a Christmas market”, said Chancellor Friedrich Merz after meeting with regional authorities to discuss the issue.
The Magdeburg attack also led many people to seek support and comfort during those difficult times.
“The shock and grief following the attack drew many people to churches”, recalled Regional Bishop Bettina Schlauraff of the Evangelical Church of Central Germany.
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