anti-graffiti

visiting the Christmas Market

At the end of term a trip to the Christmas Market seems obligatory. The kids travel by tram and never seem to forget to get off at the right stop.

Here comes the sun

Actually an old picture ... I was hoping that today the sun would appear... the longest night is over ... lets party!

still dreaming of a white .......

Winters here

we like the fox!

Oh Tannenbaum, oh Tannenbaum

"Oh Christmas tree,oh.." or " Mon beau Sapin, mon beau..." Its sung in many languages but the words were written here in Leipzig by Ernst Anschütz in 1824. Actually he re-wrote an older song that has its roots in pre-Christian mythology.
The tune is much older, and has accompagnied many different lyrics including of course the English socialists song "Keep the red flag flying"

The version I prefer is

"The working class can kiss my arse,
I've got the foremans job at last"

because it epitomises human selfishness.

In Germany the political connection is unknown.

Cristmas Market

This is a big German tradition. In almost every town and village a few or a great many stalls are set up selling Christmassy things but also arts and crafts stuff, usually better quality. But the main attraction are the many stalls serving hotdogs, roasted nuts and best of all mulled wine.
Office parties love to visit and of course children. The markets are usually closed by 9pm so it doesnt get out of control.

St Thomas'

At this time of year, its very popular because the famous boys choir goes into overtime singing Bach Motets

at 10 degrees?

outside a disco...... frothy suds!

cinema!

This is a small cinema and restaurant that is being lovingly restored over the years. It was a theatre in the twenties and has lots of fine architechural details. A treasure ( shame the film was rubbish)
http://www.schaubuehne.com

winter festival lights

This year the Christmas decorations at the main station are not dominated by Santa and a Christmas tree.
These light cascades are possibly 5 or 6 metres high and hang over an opening in the train platform level. Below are two more floors full of shops.

and the wheel turns..

600 years ago students in Prague were so pissed off that some came to Leipzig and founded another uni here.
In the backgroung behind the big fairground wheel is the new building.
Due to many squabbles among the organisers (not least who should be responsiblé for finalising the plans, and also how to use the space) it isnt finished.

Medieval house

two photos today to nshow the well restored entrance to a very old building

seen in the post office

This design is about 4 metres in size and probably was installed when the building was constructed in the late 60's

First Advent

this is said to be the world's largest advent calender. The long awaited construction of a building on the second corner of the Picture Gallery has made it difficult to veiw properly, perhaps they 'll find a new wall next year.

a door

I like autumn

when it isn't raining!

morning sky

looking northwest

a few days late

every year on the 11th Nov flowers appear on this small memorial. a Synagogue is nearby. Just behind is the River Parthe which flows through the railway sidings. The little river , actually only a stream has wide stone banks to allow flood water to pass. Here the Jewish Community was assembled and then led along the river bank to the waiting railway trucks.

no sun all day til.....

...this ! Quarter of an hour later it was dark.

Leipzig trade fairs

"built in the time of King Albert -1895-1896 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Emperor Max's authorisation of the Leipzig Messe (Trade Fairs)" I found this behind the Stadtische Kaufhaus or municipal trade centre. The building is fine and renovated but just doesnt seem to attract well-paying tenants.

hibernation time for statues

This is a very old graveyard and many of the memorials are delicate and need to be protected from the winter. There must be at least a dozen here.

not the fox!

If only I had taken my camera! Yesterday evening we saw a beautiful fox in the building site that is right in the centre of the city, not far from a small park but across busy roads with lots of people about, but...
so instead I can only show you these supersize chairs outside the canteen for hospital workers

An egg for democracy?

This sculture appeared on ous main square recently. It has a gong tone inside but there seems to be no other info about it.