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