The biggest and most popular Christmas market in Berlin on the Gendarmenmarkt square will not happen as it has been cancelled, informs Die Welt.
For 17 years, it has been considered the biggest winter attraction in the German capital. Last year, the fair was visited by 900,000 visitors. It is estimated that the economic loss due to his appeal will amount to EUR 22-25 million.
Helmut Russ, managing director of Weihnachtszauber Gendarmenmarkt GmbH, informed about the cancellation of the fair. German newspapers point out that the day before yesterday, traders and guests were convinced that the event would take place.
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It has even been possible to consult its program on the Internet for some time. The fair was supposed to start on November 23 and end on December 31.
“Organizing a Christmas market carries an unpredictable health and economic risk due to the development of the Covid-19 pandemic. We had been talking extensively with representatives of the Berlin-Mitte District Office and the health department for weeks to explore a variety of hygiene scenarios and concepts, but we finally came to this sad decision given the rising number of infections, “Helmut Russ told Die Welt.
The organizer of the fair added that the fair at the Gendarmenmarkt is a unique cultural event every year , during which you can watch the handicrafts of dozens of artists and stage performances by musicians and actors.
“It really hurts that there will be no fair this year. In these dark times, he would bring some splendour and light to the city and to people’s hearts. ” – added the organiser of the event.
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Potsdam cancelled the market in the city centre
The city of Potsdam, which borders Berlin, has cancelled its popular Christmas market in the city centre due to the coronavirus pandemic, reported the portal Rbb24.