Georgia is the guest country at Strasbourg Christmas Market

This year Georgia is the guest country of the Strasbourg Christmas Market, which opens on November 24 in France. Founded in 1570, the Strasbourg Christmas Market is the world's most famous thanks to its size and location in the capital of Europe. This year, as the capital of Christmas, Strasbourg welcomes Georgia. Georgia's Minister of Culture, Guram Odisharia will attend the opening ceremony.

Georgia will set up the Georgian Christmas Village on Place Gutenberg, in the city centre, where all the regions of Georgia will be represented, as well as Georgian products, traditional dishes and clothing. Georgian Christmas Village will be open from 24th November to 23rd December.

A program of cultural and artistic events gives the opportunity to immerse in Georgian customs through traditional songs, folk dances and activities for children. The program will include the performance of the Georgia National Ballet (Place Kleber), Exhibition on Georgia (parc de l'Etoile), and the Georgian Film Festival (Odyssee Cinema, 3 rue des Francs Bourgeois).

Vice Mayor of Strasbourg Nawel Rafik said that when choosing guests for the Christmas market the Mayor's Office takes into consideration the level of democracy and human rights in the country. “Respect of common European values is also important,” he said.

The tradition of Christmas market in Strasbourg has about a 450-year-long history. The first Christmas market in Strasbourg was organized in 1570. Every year various countries are invited to participate in the market. The number of tourists has exceeded 3 millions in Strasbourg last year due to the Christmas market.
(HTN)