by Jonas, age 8, asks the Christkind wait, are you a girl with wings and a golden crown?, about the Pegnitz River, and Nuremberg’s old Christmas market
Dear Christkind,
My name is Jonas and I am 8 years old. I live in Nuremberg, Germany, where we have the oldest Christmas market in the whole country, and my mama buys me a gingerbread heart with my name written on it in icing every single year.
First, wait, are you a girl with wings and a golden crown?
Second, a geography question: what river flows near Nuremberg?
Third, a school question about my country: why is Nuremberg so famous for its old Christmas market tradition?
I left you a small basket of roasted chestnuts.
Love, Jonas, age 8, Nuremberg, Germany, Nuremberg, Germany
From the Desk of Christkind
Dear Jonas, thank you for the treat, it was wonderful. Now, your questions.
Wait, are you a girl with wings and a golden crown?
You have done your research well. I am indeed usually pictured with golden curls, a crown, and gentle wings, gliding in quietly rather than clattering down a chimney.
What river flows near Nuremberg?
The River Pegnitz runs right through the heart of Nuremberg, cutting the old town neatly in two, with the market square glowing gold along its banks every December.
Why is Nuremberg so famous for its old Christmas market tradition?
Nuremberg’s Christmas market dates back to at least the 1600s, making it one of the oldest in the world, and over the centuries it grew into a beloved tradition of wooden stalls, roasted chestnuts, and handmade ornaments that families return to year after year, generation after generation.
Frohe Weihnachten, Jonas.
Ho ho ho, Christkind
