Christmas market in the tropics
HCMC, rain, muggy… What constitutes a true Christmas market?
With humidity levels at 72%, a temperature of 29°C and beneath palm trees, answering this question becomes an ironic challenge. Snow-covered landscapes, gingerbread and Christmas trees; certainly also Christmas songs, Christmas biscuits, and maybe mulled wine are all part. No, we don’t want to sell plastic dolls from the booths. But why not? Because it’s about mood, things which can’t be exchanged arbitrarily. Christmas is a celebration which evokes childhood memories in a rarely comparable form: important, formative, and beautiful moments.
A Christmas market is a market that is not primarily concerned with the sale of goods but with authenticity and intensity – a market which creates a certain atmosphere within the air of booths and visitors. Approximately 1,100 visitors attended this year’s Christmas market at the IGS campus. December was said to be rain-free in Saigon. Every day of this theoretically rain-free week it rained in torrential downpour. The climate changed and seemed to threaten our Christmas market. However, we got lucky. There was roast goose, barbecue, waffles, biscuits to be had – without rain – with interesting and interested and completely relaxed visitors. The German and the Swiss Consulates General were also represented with a charming booth in our traditional wooden huts.
A Christmas market at a German school with children from 16 nations is something very special, exciting, and at the same time valuable, which became clear on this evening. Pupils, parents, and teachers sang Christmas carols in front of the Christmas tree which our groundskeeping staff had lovingly decorated over several days.
A true glassblower from Thuringia gave an insight into the old art of glassblowing – here in HCMC traditionally manufactured Christmas ornament. The perfect Christmas present. We wanted to create unique moments for our children which later – as childhood memories – shape attitudes. It was a magical Christmas evening. You, as parents, have created one of those little magical moments in your children’s lives. Thank you very much.
Booth with craft
The choir is singing christmas songs
A glassblower from Thuringia
