by Lena, age 9 from Dresden, Germany, asks Santa about German Christmas markets, the Elbe River, and Dresden’s post-war rebuilding.
Dear Santa, my name is Lena, and I am nine years old. I live in Dresden, Germany, where my oma says our city is sometimes called the Florence of the Elbe because it is so beautiful along the river.
Dear Lena, Dresden’s riverside beauty has earned that nickname fair and square, your oma picked a truly stunning hometown.
Santa, I have three questions.
Do you visit Christmas markets in Germany? My oma says ours in Dresden is one of the oldest in the whole country.
I visit as many German Christmas markets as I possibly can, Lena, and Dresden’s Striezelmarkt has earned a very proud spot on my list, dating all the way back to 1434. I always make a point of circling it slowly, the smell of stollen alone is worth the detour.
My teacher says Dresden sits right along the Elbe River. Is that true?
It is true, Lena, the Elbe winds right through the heart of your city, and I always follow its glimmer at night to help find my way to your rooftop.
My oma says Dresden was rebuilt very carefully after being badly damaged a long time ago, and people worked hard to restore its old buildings. Is that true?
It is true, Lena, much of Dresden was heavily damaged during the Second World War, and the city has spent decades carefully rebuilding and restoring its historic buildings since. That kind of patient, careful rebuilding, piece by piece, is a beautiful example of a community caring for its own history.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Lena Hoffmann
Dresden, Germany
P.S. Can you bring extra stollen for the whole market this year?
Consider it arranged, Lena, stollen is practically a public service in Dresden.
