Budapest Christmas market at Vörösmarty square cancelled this year?
The annual Christmas market at Vörösmarty square might not be held this year, at least not in a way it used to be. Originally, the Christmas market would have opened on 20 November, but the tender was suddenly withdrawn.
Vörösmarty square becomes a Christmas wonderland every year in November, and people from all over the world come to see the famous fair. The market is usually full of vendors selling delicious Hungarian foods and unique hand-made crafts. Unfortunately, it seems that we will not be enjoying a cup of mulled wine under the fairy lights this year.
Read alsoBudapest voted one of the ‘Best Christmas Market in the World’
Each year, the Budapest Festival and Tourism Centre (BFTK) draws the tender for businesses wishing to represent themselves at the Christmas market in the beginning of autumn. It was the same this year, the tender went public on 24 September with a deadline for 8 October. However, one day before said deadline, applicants were informed that the tender has been withdrawn, Napi.hu reports.
The tender for catering companies was withdrawn only two weeks after it was launched. Whether craftsmen will be able to build their booths on the square is still uncertain. The reason for the withdrawal is yet unknown.
However, several vendors complained about the astoundingly high rent prices listed in the tender, which is probably due to the current situation caused by the global pandemic.
The smallest space (12 nm) would go for 22,365 Euros, while the biggest place (60nm) would cost around 61,500 Euros. Apart from rent, new additional expenses would burden the applicants in the form of electricity pipeline construction-, waste management-, and cleaning fees, which are all unprecedented expenses.
The prices outraged many business owners, who do not see how they could ever recover the cost of rent (worth an entire apartment) when there is not a single foreign tourist in Budapest, and vendors are pessimistic about this changing in December.
Read alsoThe history of Christmas fairs and Vörösmarty Square – Photos
Source: www.napi.hu
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4 Comments
It is said, that the tears we shed, water the flowers of our Heart.
This rips me apart, saddens me greatly, the absolute joyfulness, that our loved and magnificent Christmas Market, in Vorosmarty Square will not happen this year.
Our house is 5 minutes walk from Vorosmarty Square, and we love what it brings to District 5 and ALL of Hungary.
We delight in meeting people from around the Globe, who are in awe of our magnificent and professionally run Christmas Market.
The angelic faces of children, just bedazzled by all that is contained in the set up and design of our Vorosmarty Square – Christmas Market, leaves an indelible memory that just warms my heart.
It will return – it must, and we ALL will embrace it, support it, and continue to express our Love of it, possible, appreciating greater, what it means, the message it carries, for Budapest and Hungary.
Stay Safe & Well – ALL.
I was at this market in November 2019 after having been at the Innsbruck and Vienna markets. This is by FAR the best of the 3. What a shame that it may be cancelled. I am hopeful that it is due to corona virus only and not political, or overly expensive for the vendors. We bought so much stuff here that I can only think it is a huge plus for Hungary’s tourism. Please continue with this beautiful tradition.
This decision is not Political.
It is the correct application, using a democratic process that would by an agreement process, by the Government and The Lord Mayor of District V, that is centered on, the Health & Safety and the Well-being – of all Hungarians and global visitors, who would have, under normality of life-style, visited our “famed” and rapidly growing in status, as a European “Icon” Christmas Market, in Vorosmarty Square.
This novel coronavirus, we – ALL- are – Challenged – by it, in our lives, at this present time, which it continues, in it’s journey, to re-shape society and life-style.
Vorosmarty Square – our Christmas Market, written remorsefully, becomes another innocent victim of this novel virus.
We wait patiently, for the discovery of a vaccine that will immunize human beings from contacting this novel coronavirus.
Sad news, indeed, but let’s think positive and pray God that this pandemic ends soon.