Dhe French border city of Strasbourg is causing a shake of the head with a planned ban on the sale of champagne, popcorn, grilled chicken and other items for the Christmas market. Before the famous “Christkindelsmärik”, the Alsace metropolis sent the stall operators detailed lists of which foods and items are allowed, forbidden or permitted with reservations, the newspaper “Les Dernières Nouvelles d’Alsace” (DNA) has now reported.
An accompanying email explains that the food and items should convey the authenticity and tradition of Christmas as well as local identity and quality – and this with ecologically responsible standards, as the green-led town hall says. On the ban on the original French champagne: Strasbourg does not want to ban a toast with sparkling wine, but it should be the Alsatian one from the region: “Crémant d’Alsace” is mentioned on the list as an alternative.
A Christmas mulled beer is allowed, provided it comes from a craft brewery. The “tartiflette” potato casserole with Reblochon cheese from Savoy is forbidden, but the “munstiflette” casserole with Munster cheese from Alsace is allowed. Boots, umbrellas and Christmas items for dogs and cats are forbidden, but piggy banks or embroidery kits are allowed.
“Then we’ll go to Colmar”
The rules are hotly debated online. Relying on regional products is definitely met with approval – including the preference for Alsatian specialties. But what does the ban on grilled chicken mean, one wonders. And another points out that a casserole with Munster cheese stinks terribly. Ok, so let’s go to Colmar, another larger town in Alsace, another suggests.
Amid all the excitement, the city of Strasbourg has since made it clear that during the Christmas market it wants to talk to traders about the products it has reservations about. A selection committee will then create clear rules for the following market in January. And after the great outcry it caused, the champagne ban is apparently to be discussed again.
The municipal councilor Guillaume Libsig has meanwhile reacted to the hype about the sales lists, which were intended as a working document. The market, which has around two million visitors, has been criticized for several years as an “open-air amusement park” or “supermarket for tourists,” he wrote. In response, a selection committee took on the range of goods. “Neither the city nor the exhibitors want cheap items that damage the quality of the Christmas capital.” It’s about quality and authenticity. The Commission wants to be sure of the origin and quality of the products.
The fact that the sale of crosses at the Christmas market is only permitted with reservations according to the “Decorations” list has caused additional excitement. The crosses are listed there as “Croix JC” (JC for Jesus Christ).
The socialist city councilor Anne-Pernelle Richardot thinks that’s stupid, as she told the newspaper “DNA”. “It’s still a Christian event, it’s called “Christkindelsmärik”, it’s about the baby Jesus, isn’t it?” The Catholic daily newspaper “La Croix” was alarmed and collected critical voices. One respects the religious identity, the deputy Libsig quickly clarified. Crucifixes, nativity scenes and the like may of course be sold as long as they are of acceptable quality.
So far there has been no outcry about the fact that the oldest Christmas market in France (for the 452nd time) will be shortened by a week during the crisis to save energy. It now runs from November 25th to December 24th. The Christmas lights will be switched off at 11 p.m. – an hour earlier than before. And it will be dismantled from January 8th, a week earlier than usual.
