Dresden (dpa/sn) – After a two-year Corona break, the Dresden Christmas markets drew a mostly good conclusion about business this year. The Striezelmark, the most famous Christmas market in the city on the Elbe, announced on Friday that expectations in terms of sales and visitors had been exceeded. “All dealers and guests are satisfied and grateful that we could finally rustle again.” We were also able to welcome many guests from abroad, especially from the Czech Republic and Poland. TV stations from all over Europe reported on the Striezelmarkt. It is one of the oldest of its kind in Germany and took place for the 588th time this year. Organizers of other markets were also in a positive mood.
According to the market administration, more than 120,000 liters of mulled wine were served at the Striezelmarkt alone – a good 20 percent less than at the 2019 market. The souvenir hunters took home around 56,000 deposit cups as souvenirs. Around 10,000 slices of Dresdner Christstollen were tasted over the counter. “After a two-year break, the guests at the market were really hungry for Christmas. The demand for our products that are genuinely from the Ore Mountains exceeded the expectations of a number of retailers and manufacturers,” explained Frederic Günther, head of the Association of Ore Mountain Craftsmen and Toy Manufacturers.
The employees of the regulatory office also had to do. “Six lost children found their parents and a free-roaming dog was returned to its owner. 76 items were handed in and kept, including a buggy, two wedding rings and an encyclopedia.” The police registered 24 crimes, almost all of which involved theft of purses, bags or backpacks. Nine drunk visitors had been evicted for harassing other guests, it said. The rescue service had to be called out 22 times.
