KARACHI: Christmas came early this year at the German consulate, where a traditional German Christmas market housed a range of delicacies, both local and foreign. The vibrancy of the holiday, the sights and sounds, and the distinctive flavours all brought together the community for a relaxing Sunday evening.

The Weihnachtsmarkt is a street market set up to celebrate Christmas and is said to have been originated in Germany; it has been adapted and adopted by many other countries over time. However, the sense of celebration, the festivity and food and drink remain the same.

More than 40 stalls were set up at the venue; most of them were for food and beverages. Others hosted impressive displays of handicrafts and entrepreneurs were present proudly showcasing their talents.

Philanthropic ventures also made their presence felt at the market. Dr Ruth Pfau’s Marie Adelaide leprosy centre, Behbud Trust, Hunar Foundation, and the Ida Rieu School all had stalls. There were household items such as lamps coasters being sold at one stall; Pebbleup by Zainab Zoeb displayed her art on earth materials — wood or stone. Each piece was beautifully curated with lively colours and natural settings, coupled with quotes.

Traditional Sindhi crafts were also on display. Another interesting stall was called Candle Works by Naheed Mooraj which had some Christmas tree candles. However, the more popular items they offered were citronella candles, which are believed to be a mosquito repellent. There were also candles with fresh flowers, as well as reusable food wraps by The Bees Knees, which is a great alternative to using plastic.

Deputy head of mission Birgit Kuhlmann and Ingolf Vogel, development and cultural attaché of the German Consulate in Karachi, welcomed the guests to the German Christmas market. Ms Kuhlmann shared how the day had begun with rain in the city and so there were misgivings about whether they could hold the event at all. Thankfully, the skies cleared, giving way to a beautiful day which made the event more enjoyable for the guests.

The food was also a hit among the guests. Freshly made pizza, all natural juices, hot chocolate and cold desserts; the children and the adults were all spoiled for choice. There were also several German desserts available such as German chocolate pie, and even Lebkuchen which is a German cookie.

Published in Dawn, December 10th, 2018