Christmas Market at Vörösmarty Square to start next week – here are the changes, PHOTOS
Last year, after the novel coronavirus pandemic hit the world, many events and venues were cancelled in order to help curb the spread of the virus. Such was the case with the iconic Christmas markets of Budapest. This year, despite the fourth wave of the pandemic, it seems that these iconic events will be held, with a few extra precautionary steps.
Inforstart reported that the Budapest Municipality will organise the Christmas Market in the usual spot on Vörösmarty Square, starting next week, on 19 November.
There will be a few changes, however, as Csaba Faix, the leader of the Budapest Festival and Tourism Centre, highlighted.
From November 19, Vörösmarty Square will host the iconic Christmas Market which will be open for 43 days, all the way until Christmas and a while after, up until December 31. Csaba Faix, the leader of the Budapest Festival and Tourism Centre, told Infostart that following last year’s cancellation of the event, this year, they will put a stronger emphasis on a few things, including the safety of partakers.
The venue could only be visited by people who have their immunity certificate.
Boulevard of Christmas desserts: an unconventional bejgli map of Budapest
Csaba said that the entire venue will be surrounded by barriers and three – or four on more crowded days – gates will ensure fast monitoring. They expect this will prevent long waiting times for people who would like to partake in the festivities.
You will need to present your valid immunity certificate, along with a document proving your identity (ID, passport, driver’s licence).
“I think this is the least we could do in this situation; this way, we can take care of ourselves and each other,” the leader of the Budapest Városarculat Nonprofit company said.
Mulled wine recipes to warm you up on cold nights
According to Hvg, leader of the Festival and Tourism Centre Csaba Faix added that despite the fourth wave of the pandemic, foreign tourism in Budapest is starting to come back to life again, so they are also expecting foreign visitors at the Christmas Market.
According to Infostart’s information, this year, a huge emphasis will be put on Hungarians. The organisers required every catering stall to provide at least one dish for a fixed price of 1,500 forints (€4.2) so that it is available for more people.
They also highlighted that many districts’ papers will also include some form of a coupon that people can exchange for a free portion of mulled wine, for example. Many attractions will welcome visitors at the Christmas Market on Vörösmarty Square, including the Finnish Santa on December 6 when the traditional Hungarian celebration of Saint Nicholas is held.
Source: Infostart.hu, Hvg.hu