Artifacts, performances, workshops lure visitors to culture market

by Petra Lessoing
Kaiserslautern American


***image1***Twenty-five years ago, the Kaiserslautern Office of Culture sponsored its first “Culture Market before Christmas,” which at that time was called the culture bazaar.

Ever since, this event belongs to the cultural highlights in Kaiserslautern. This year, the special pre-Christmas crafts market is open Saturday to Dec. 16 in the Fruchthalle. Daily hours are 1 to 7 p.m.

Artists and crafters present their precuts, and local charity organizations display and sell art and craft items which their members created throughout the year.
Net profits will be donated to various charities.

Children have the chance to take part in interesting workshops in the kids’ play room. Here they learn to do handicrafts, they can play and sing and listen to stories.
Two cafés offer homemade cakes, coffee and little snacks for lunch.

Daily musical entertainment and dance performances will be presented here as well. For the first time, a dance café is set up on the first floor.

***image2***A brochure listing all events and workshops is laid out in the rooms of Fruchthalle.
Deputy Mayor Dr. Susanne Wimmer-Leonhardt officially opens the Culture Market before Christmas at 1 p.m. Saturday. The brass ensemble of the Emmerich-Smola Music School provides the musical entertainment, a youth group presents scenes from a children’s musical, and disc jockey Jorg Bruckschen present the professional dancers Rafael Nunez Lopez and Stefanie Molter performing waltz and tango in the dance café.

On days when concerts are scheduled in the evening the market is open until 8 p.m.
The Fruchthalle, meaning fruit hall, is a huge building which was built from 1843 to 1846. In former times, the fruit and vegetable market was held there.

***image3***Today, many events such as concerts, dance balls and official ceremonies are held in the red sandstone building across from the Pfalztheater and next to the soldiers’ war memorial  and tourist office on Fruchthallstrasse.