For the last few years in Birmingham we have had a German themed Christmas market as recommended by Paul Burgin. In the region, it is known as Birmingham's Frankfurt market. A Chinese market is planned for next year following Birmingham's twinning with the Chinese city of Guangzhou (population 10 million). A friend of mine has recently visited Frankfurt and reckoned their Christmas market was terrible so what is needed is for Frankfurt to have a Birm.. (OK, I'm sure you've get the picture).
On the same theme I was walking around Old Town Square in Prague today where they have an excellent Christmas fair (much better than previous efforts I can recall). I wish I had brought a camera out with me. I was particularly impressed with how much they had put on for kids. I noticed a little collection for this charity. Set up by a French woman who has lived in Prague for over a decade, the charity is all about making chidren's hospitals more welcoming and homely so as to ameliorate the psychological impact of being separated from their parents. 
Given the spartan nature of many Czech hospitals, I think this is an excellent project. They have achieved some lovely results. I bet it makes the hospital buildings a nicer place for the staff to work, too. I think I prefer small charities. Or am I being stupid to say that? Also, just went to see Borat. It had its moments, but put it like this I'm glad I didn't pay more than 50 crowns (£1.25).
6 comments:
I have been to many Christmas Markets in Germany and I have always felt the mood was magical and I am pleased they are taking off here.
Moving on to Prague. My only visit to the Czech Republic was 9 years ago with a boys' football team. We went to Prague; then some of us went to Prague again, and I went to Prague again for the third time by myself. It is one of the most magical and beautiful cities in the world. I can understand why Mozart loved it. I have a poster in a frame on one of my walls that proudly declares, 'W.A.Mozart loves Prague.'
I too support smaller charities, as I feel more of my money goes where I want it to go. Something like making children's life in hospital more enjoyable, can make a big difference.
Hello again Andrew. Found out about a Kafka museum today. It's nice to be a tourist in your own city from time to time. A few months ago me & Croydonian had a good debate about charities we didn't like. To generalise we weren't so keen on campaigning charities which tended to be the largest one.
It's not surprising that as Conservatives we are keen on the smaller charities!
...I think I prefer small charities. Or am I being stupid to say that?...
You're spot on. The larger ones and I shan't name any for fear of due process, rake off so much before any hits the target e.g. O... no, I can't. The small ones - you're closer to the process and they're easier to get at to make them accountable.
We were going to go to the German market in Brum. Every GCSE German class in our school has done it for God knows how many years. We were all looking forward to it as well. It's right next to the Bullring, so we were hoping to get some Christmas shopping done.
For some unknown reason, the Principal dropped it for this year, though he's restarting it next year, bizarrely!
The problem with Borat is that it is very repetititve after 3 minutes.
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