AN UNCOMMON MARKET

10-11-2007

Bratwurst, gluhwein, und schnapps. Yes it's a traditional Brummie Christmas. Richard Nevin welcomes the return of the Frankfurt Christmas Market to the city on Thursday.

An event takes place every year in Birmingham City Centre, in the run up to Christmas that although relatively new, is now considered as traditional as turkey, tinsel and the lack of public transport on Boxing Day.

Come November, traders from the German city of Frankfurt decamp to Birmingham to ply their trade in a collection of wooden huts at the top end of New Street.

The now annual "Frankfurt Christmas Market" is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. A joint partnership between the respective city councils, it brings the sights, sounds and smells of a traditional continental (or in this case, German) Christmas market to the streets of the second city.

In an age when the commercialisation of the festive period seems to be out of control (adverts appeared for the first time this year prior to the traditional watershed of Bonfire Night), this retail venture still retains some of the long forgotten "greeting card" charm of our biggest Christian feast.

The greatest feature of the whole market is the atmosphere, and in direct contradiction to most things these days, it can be enjoyed without having to dip into your pocket.

Take a stroll round on a cold December afternoon, or better still, at night and you cannot fail to be enveloped in a myriad of rich sights and sounds, little magical worlds within garden sheds, twinkling lights and treats and sweets straight out of Roald Dahl chocolate factory imagination.

Even alcohol is sold and consumed, in a rather jolly as opposed to threatening atmosphere, from Steiner's rather than the oxymoron of the plastic glass.

Of course it has its critics, not least the traders that occupy the area all year round. But anything that attracts custom from the bright lights of the Bull Ring, to the less popular part of town for a few hours cannot be all bad.

As Brummies, our natural gait is that of the cynic, suspicious of motives and wary of false gods, but this is one Teutonic invasion that must be welcomed. Our council should be applauded for maintaining its place in our festive calendar amid all the xenophobia and supposed erosions of culture.

Cities across the country have now adopted the idea, proving that the imitation is the best from of flattery, while people travel from far and wide to take part in the experience. An experience that is open to all, regardless of race or creed.

Whether you're a millionaire or a pauper, the magic of Christmas is available in Birmingham, and long may it continue.

By the way, I do not work, or have any connection with the Council. Amidst all the, mostly justifiable, criticism they do get things right sometimes.