Tag: markets

Christmas markets and Covid-19: will they be done or not? – Italian Cuisine

Between canceled events (but other planned initiatives) and stalls set up online, we try at least not to "cancel" the atmosphere of Christmas

Usually in this period we look forward to the inauguration of the Christmas markets, stalls and lights that bring the Christmas atmosphere to cities and villages throughout Italy, which allow us to be together, experiencing a magical moment of flavors and aromas and to find some original ideas for Christmas gifts including artisan products and food and wine specialties. But this year it really seems that we will have to do without it. Among the provisions introduced by Dpcm of 3 November to counter the spread of coronavirus there is in fact a ban on festivals and fairs, including markets.

Markets canceled from Val d’Aosta to Trentino, but …

The traditional Marché Vert Noel, the Christmas market in Aosta foreseen in the Roman theater, it was canceled by the Municipality which, however, reserved the possibility of organizing an alternative event based on the new rules that may be launched after November 24th. Also to Trento an ordinance of the mayor has banned the Christmas markets until 31 December, but there are already those who have proposed to have them from 1 to 15 January. Meanwhile, a tree in the square and a forest for children will be set up.

The magical Advent of South Tyrol (even without markets)

The repercussions of the canceled markets? In South Tyrol, for example, losses of 46 million euros are estimated for the five markets in Bolzano, Merano, Vipiteno, Bressanone is Brunico. After the markets were lost, however, the South Tyroleans did not lose heart and planned a Advent more intimate, but always magical.

TO Bolzano the city will be illuminated by a large tree (1300 lights and 21 meters) in Piazza Walther and there will also be the large Advent wreath placed around the ancient statue of Walther von der Vogelweide which will mark the approach of Christmas. An exhibition of traditional and non-traditional Christmas cribs and decorations will also be set up here, while the large comet will shine in front of the Savings Bank building. Thanks to three different installations, the traditions of San Nicolò, Frau Holle and Santa Barbara will be revived in different points of the historic center. And for the little ones? In Piazza Municipio there will be the small house of Hänsel & Gretel. Christmas Walks will then be organized to discover suggestive and particular locations of the city, while the hotels in the area will offer holiday packages with accommodation and activities offers.

TO Merano the traditional lights will be more than usual and warmer and more subdued. The Christmas Walks will be organized itineraries that will allow everyone to walk outdoors, discovering the most beautiful and hidden corners of the city, with a lantern in hand to illuminate and "warm" the path.

The stalls move to the Internet

If live markets are banned at the moment, there are those who have thought of transfer the houses on the Net. As to Montepulciano, in Tuscany, where the Christmas market will be organized online to support producers and artisans and to keep this tradition alive by giving everyone the opportunity to buy local products and Christmas baskets. Also to Como the event City of Toys, which for 26 editions has made young and old dream with the festival of lights and markets, is about to unveil its online program. We wait…

Coronavirus: no Christmas markets in Trento – Italian Cuisine

This year Trento will no longer be the city of Christmas we knew. For the first time stop at the markets due to the coronavirus: the loss is at least 40 million euros

After dpcm of the government that sanctioned it stop at fairs and festivals, the municipal council of Trento has decided to cancel the famous Trento Christmas markets. It is the first time this has happened since the first edition was organized, in 1993.

The risk of gatherings, with consequent contagions from coronavirus, it is too high: "We also said that we hold Christmas in the community, so we could think of other forms, but that there cannot be markets as it has been in recent years, it seems obvious to me" said the mayor Ianeselli. «We have considered that it is not appropriate to do them at any cost. I am aware that it is not a simple decision, we still want a Christmas as colorful as possible. "

Therefore, the edition that should have started on 21 November until early January in Piazza Fiera will not be held. It remains to wait to discover the fate of the traditional markets of Bolzano is Merano, which every year attract thousands of tourists.

Elisabetta Bozzarelli, councilor for tourism, in collaboration with theApt, explained that we will try to devise new ways to make Trento "city of Christmas"Again this year, in full compliance with the anti covid measures. In addition to the Christmas lights, an 18-meter tree will be installed in Piazza Duomo, while a wood for children will be set up in Piazza Santa Maria Maggiore.

Christmas markets in South Tyrol, where the Christmas atmosphere comes first – Italian Cuisine

South Tyrolean traditions, Christmas carols, Ladin gastronomic specialties: you can enjoy all this and much more from late November to 6 January 2020

Missing just over a month but already in the air there's that I don't know that announces the arrival of Christmas. And there is a place in Italy where the Christmas atmosphere comes first: it is South Tyrol where in the Advent season the Christmas markets wind their way through the streets of the main urban centers, giving them a magical and almost unreal atmosphere, with their warm lights, the aromas of freshly baked cookies, children's smiles and Christmas melodies. Everything here has a particular flavor, the rhythms are more relaxed, the speeches are dilated, the small daily tasks give way to the pleasure of finding oneself, sipping a hot cinnamon-scented drink while the Dolomites on the horizon light up with a fiery red . Bolzano, Merano, Bressanone, Brunico and Vipiteno are preparing to welcome thousands of tourists who every year at this time want to enjoy the fairytale atmosphere of Alto Adige Südtirol Original Markets.

Christmas markets from city to city

TO Bolzano the stage of the Christmas markets will be Piazza Walther and the streets around. Strolling you can find handicrafts but also typical local products or stop to taste traditional South Tyrolean dishes, such as Spattle or Canederli. Among the unmissable events, "The long night of the Museums", on November 29th, in which it will be possible to visit all the museums of the city until late and, a show in the show, "A Christmas of books", with famous writers, Italian and not, who will present their best sellers. And then inside the park, from December 1st, the Advent calendar, with the opening of one box a day, until Christmas.

TO Merano many initiatives for adults and children: you can skate, walk by lantern light or attend classical music concerts. Don't miss the Merano Pop Symphony Orchestra & Marcella Bella on December 8th. For the children the appointment is at the Historic Christmas Village where the mascot Goldy will welcome all the little guests in his little house. There will be gastronomic specialties and handicrafts.

Pagan and Christian traditions mix with Bressanone, one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in all of South Tyrol. Don't miss the cribs, next to which you can see the Krampus, masked devils that parade next to him along the streets of the city during the San Nicolò parade. And still so many shows with "Best of Soliman’s Dream" in the courtyard of the Hofburg, the episcopal palace of Bressanone. Every day from November 22nd until January 6th visitors will be able to learn more about the history and adventures of the Brixen elephant. And that's not all: there are lots of artisanal products and local gastronomic specialties among the stalls of the Bressanone Christmas Market.

TO Brunico Christmas will be breathed around all the alleys of the historic center. On 7th, 8th and 15th December in Brunico Castle you can sip a glass of mulled wine, a spice tea or taste a traditional Goulash, listening to the stories of the artisans. For lovers of essences, don't miss the Fragrance barn, the sensory journey set up in the extended Bastions where essential herbs and oils will inebriate the senses of all. If you are looking for silence and reflection, at Palazzo Strauben you can leave your Christmas wish written on a long ribbon that intertwined with others will create a single long thread, a collective symbol of the spirit of Christmas.

Unique atmosphere a Sterzing, small realm of handmade nativity scenes. There are as many as six that can be admired in the Tower of the Twelve, which with its 46 meters high is the symbol of the city. In the historic center of the town you will find Christmas markets with handicraft banquets and culinary delights of the place. For the most romantic city tour by carriage, while the music lovers will meet in the Church of Santo Spirito in Piazza Città for Christmas carols and alpine music.

In South Tyrol the Christmas markets are also found in the characteristic mountain villages. Every valley from December 1st to January 6th 2020 turns into a magical place, made of scents, lights, colors and music that envelop all tourists in timeless atmospheres. Val Gardena turns into "Christmas Valley of the Dolomites" with its centers, Ortisei, Selva and Santa Cristina. In Alta Badia, San Cassiano and Corvara become the places where to make a real immersion in the Ladin world and in the Alto Adige tradition. In Val Sarentino, time stops to give its guests the rhythms of the past, including local specialties and Christmas songs. In Val Martello you will find the Highest Christmas market in the Alps, set up in a stable. In the total union between man and nature it will be possible to attend the concert of the orphans Martell, the horn players of the Alpi Proveis and the Schianbliamltol Choir of the Val Martello, for an experience that will leave you speechless.

And if you want to try your hand at preparing two local specialties, here are the recipes for the Vin Brûlé and the Zelten. Get down to work!

Vin Brûlé: the recipe

Ingredients for 4 people: 50 ml Schiava from Alto Adige, 2 table spoons of sugar, ½ sprig of cinnamon, 5 cloves, ¼ orange peel from organic cultivation.

Method: put the wine in a pan and cook it with sugar, zest and spices until just before boiling. Before serving, remove the cinnamon and cloves. It should be drunk very hot.

Zelten: the recipe

Ingredients for 4 people: water, 20 g of yeast, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 150 g of flour, 100 g of rye flour, 15 g of salt, 1 tablespoon of oil, 1 teaspoon of anise, 1 teaspoon of cumin, 500 g of dried figs, cut into cubes or strips, 250 g of raisins, 120 g of raisins, 120 g of mixed walnuts (hazelnuts, walnuts, peanuts) chopped, 120 g of pine nuts, 50 g of lemon peel candied fruit, 50 g of candied orange peel, 50 ml of white wine, 3 tablespoons of rum, 70 g of honey, 1/2 teaspoon of grated lemon rind, 1/2 teaspoon of grated orange zest, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1 pinch of powdered cloves, 1 pinch of pimento, 1 pinch of nutmeg, walnuts, hazelnuts or peeled almonds and candied cherries to decorate, honey or sugar syrup to brush

Preparation: mix the yeast and sugar with hot water and let it sit for 10 minutes. Add the flour, rye flour, salt, oil, anise and cumin and start working the mass with a kneader. Put the dough covered with a cloth in the oven off but with the bulb on, and let it rise for 30 minutes. Marinate figs, raisins, sultanas, walnuts, pine nuts, almonds, cedar, candied orange peel in white wine for at least 1 hour in the rum, so that the zelten acquires a good aroma. Add the lemon and orange peel, cinnamon, cloves, allspice and nutmeg. Put the bread dough back in the kneader and add the marinated fruits and nuts. Form round or elongated zelten and decorate with walnuts and almonds. Arrange them on a baking sheet and let them rest for another 20 minutes. Put the pan in the oven and cook at 170 degrees for about 40 minutes, brushing often with honey or syruped sugar until they take on an intense brown color. Let them cool, decorate with candied cherries, then wrap them in plastic wrap to keep them soft.