Oh, what a year this has been! Now it’s ending, and I wish everyone a peaceful Christmas time, happy holidays, and all the best for 2024. It will be a year to make it or break it. What worries me, with my parents at very old age, is the loss of this generation of witnesses to war and famine and how fragile societies are …
I truly have not seen a major city as empty, as Frankfurt on Christmas Eve. Only a few Chinese were running around looking desperately for luxury shops. The few others were on their way to see their family and loved ones. And there was the atmosphere of preparation for something important to come. I had an extra piece of cake in Café Laumer. Then went to the Museum of Applied Art to see the Jil Sander exhibition, which I liked. Merry Christmas.
Alte Oper (Old Opera) in Frankfurt. Nobody around.
Café Laumer, Frankfurt Westend. You can still sit outside.
It is nice to be back in Germany for Christmas. I enjoy the atmosphere. Some people blame it to be too commercial these days. But it is your own choice: it is supply and demand, on any market - also the Christmas Market. Demand seems to be not that big, as many shops go in with heavy discounts, already before the feast. For me, as an orthodox atheist, Christmas is a cultural event, which is deeply rooted in Europe. And I like it. I think, that's what Alain de Button calls "Atheism 2.0". We strolled around the Christmas Markets and yesterday went to the Christmas Concert in the State Theatre in Wiesbaden. Quite fun. Have not been in a civilized concert for a while.
People doing the last Christmas shopping on December 23rd in Wiesbaden, as seen on a ferris wheel ride.
Preparations for the Christmas Concert in the Wiesbaden State Theatre. View from the loge of William II. It is better than our seats, I have a say.