The season of Advent is a good moment for short trips, and using the pretext of visiting Christmas fairs is a pleasant tactic to plan one. Although the day is short, this is the very advantage of this period – we conquer the darkness by lighting the cities up with festive illuminations, Christmas trees and decorations, and you can enjoy it for the big part of the day actually 😊
Formerly Advent was called “hard nights” because it was believed that the longest nights of the year were a dangerous period. According to ancient beliefs, during these days a person can easily get under the control of dark powers, which are growing stronger in this period of insufficiency of daylight. Then various demons or ancestors return to earth to check on people’s behaviour, often interfering in the everyday situations of their “hosts”. Subsequent Christian influences softened the demonic image of these days, both with the birth of Christ and the celebrations of various saints. Till this day, however, in the Czech Republic, the echo of ancient haunts has survived, and during the Advent period one can see the mysterious trinities roaming the streets: angel, devil and Saint Nicholas!
Prague is also preparing for the festivities, and many of the streets flicker with lights hung in the windows, on trees or on all sorts of fences – wherever one can install a bulb! Traditionally, the largest and the most important Christmas market takes place on the Old Town Square. A huge, 22-meter tall Christmas tree has been placed here as well as a numer of small gingerbread-shaped huts and stalls. Visitors can buy Christmas decorations, various interior decorations (tablecloths, lace, candlesticks), handicrafts for gifts, etc. Stands with mulled wine, punch, sweets, gingerbread, quick hot dishes, pancakes, roasted chestnuts etc. are an integral part of the fair. The beautiful square gains an even more enchanting appearance, baroque tenements decorated with lights and branches of conifers seem to be watching passers-by, the ubiquitous scent of cinnamon evokes sweet memories … Only snow has not yet been delivered, but we expect it at any moment …! 😊
Similar, though less impressive Advent fairs also take place in Wenceslas Square and Republic Square. All this can be enjoyed until January 6th. Come over!
