ISLAMABAD: The joy of Christmas brought the German Embassy alive on Friday. Christmas carols, traditional crafts and delicious food and beverages created a festive atmosphere at the ‘Christmas Bazaar’. Visitors enjoyed taking in German culture and stocking up on Christmas gifts for loved ones.

The warm autumn sun shone through the leaves and many visitors enjoyed being outdoors and socialising with friends and colleagues. A separate enclosure had been set up for children where they painted pictures and played with balloons.

The few dozen stalls, tastefully decorated drew around 1500 local and diplomatic guests, many of whom will be celebrating Christmas away from home. This was not the first time that Sandra Grant, an official at the British High Commission is celebrating Christmas away from home. “The sausages were delicious and I got myself a packet of Stollen a famous cake in Germany,” she said.

The Pakistani handicrafts at the bazaar such as carved brass, wooden and paper-mache decorative items were expensive but most stalls had been set up for charity. The aim was to support local artists, and craftsmen who have handcrafted these items, which according to the guests was fair trade-off.

Majid Hussain had put up a stall of brass and copper items made by craftsmen from Peshawar and places in Punjab. “Some are originals, some are copies of antique handicrafts traditionally given to daughters in dowry,” said Majid Hussain,

Nuria Rafique-Iqbal has been supporting women in Lahore, Sheikhupura, and Muridke, by selling items produced by them. “The income generated goes directly into our organization,” said Nuria Rafique-Iqbal.

“Christmas bazaars are very important part of the culture in Germany,” said First Secretary and Head of Press and Cultural Section, German Embassy, Dr Dan Tidten.

“There are bazaars like this being organised all over Germany as we speak. They put everyone in a Christmas spirit,” said Dr Dan Tidten.

“The event was not for profit and proceeds generated will go to charity like last year when they were donated to the Leprosy Hospital in Rawalpindi,” said Dr Dan Tidten.

Some of the best stalls were the ones offering burgers, sweets and chocolates. “The aroma of the grilled meat and bread from the food stalls, the chocolate booths, and pastries combined with Islamabad’s fall beautiful evening has made this bazaar, a success,” said another visitor.

Published in Dawn, November 29th, 2014