by Paula, age 8 from Cologne, Germany, asks Santa his German name, Cologne Cathedral, and the city’s famous Christmas markets.
Dear Santa, my name is Paula, and I am eight years old. I live in Cologne, Germany, where my oma says our cathedral took over six hundred years to finish building.
Dear Paula, a cathedral with that much patience behind it deserves a very respectful flyover, your oma picked a truly remarkable hometown.
Santa, I have three questions.
What is Santa called in German? My opa calls you something different than what I usually hear.
In German, I am most often called Weihnachtsmann, Paula, which simply means Christmas man. Your opa has been calling me by my proper German name all along.
My oma says Cologne Cathedral is one of the tallest cathedrals in the entire world. Is that true?
It is true, Paula, Cologne Cathedral rises remarkably high above the city, one of the tallest cathedrals anywhere on Earth. I always give it a proud, careful pass on my way to your rooftop.
My oma says Cologne’s Christmas markets around the cathedral are some of the most famous in all of Germany. Is that true?
It is true, Paula, Cologne’s Christmas markets draw visitors from all over the world, twinkling lights and warm treats gathered right beneath that towering cathedral. That kind of shared, joyful gathering is really the heart of the whole season.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Paula Hoffmann
Cologne, Germany
P.S. Will you tell my opa his name for you is the proper one?
Already confirmed, Paula, right here in writing.
