by Klara from Meissen asks Santa about an incense burner figure, learns about the Elbe River, and hears about Meissen’s famous porcelain-making history
Dear Santa, my name is Klara and I am nine years old. I live in Meissen, Germany, where my opa says our town has been famous for a very particular kind of delicate, beautifully painted pottery for centuries.
Dear Klara, your opa is entirely right, and I have real admiration for that particular craftsmanship myself.
Santa, I have three questions.
My first question is, what is a Santa incense burner? My oma has a wooden figure that puffs little clouds of smoke from its mouth, and I never quite understood how it worked.
That is a Räuchermann, Klara, a traditional German incense-burning figure, often shaped like Santa or other folk characters, with a small cone of incense placed inside that releases gentle smoke through a carved opening. It is a beloved craft from the Ore Mountains region, cherished for generations.
My second question is about our river. My teacher says the Elbe River flows right past Meissen. Is that true?
It is, Klara. The Elbe River flows past Meissen on its way through Germany, an important part of the region’s trade and history for centuries. Flying along its path each Christmas Eve is a genuinely lovely part of my German route.
My third question is about porcelain. My teacher says Meissen porcelain became famous across all of Europe. Is that true?
It is true, Klara. Meissen became the first place in Europe to successfully produce fine porcelain in the early 1700s, and its craftsmanship remains renowned worldwide to this day. I always admire that kind of patient, delicate artistry whenever I fly past.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Klara Richter
Meissen, Germany
P.S. Do you have a Räuchermann at the North Pole too?
Several, Klara, proudly displayed near the fireplace.
