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During this holiday season, there are many places to get mulled wine, but the Budapest Christmas Market in Hungary is among the most exemplary. Now in its 17th year and growing in size and popularity, the market only admits vendors who provide locally made goods that meet quality standards.
During this holiday season, there are many places to get mulled wine, but the Budapest Christmas Market in Hungary is among the most exemplary. Now in its 17th year and growing in size and popularity, the market only admits vendors who provide locally made goods that meet quality standards.
Insistence on only locally-made, handcrafted goods has led to a booming business in Budapest. The traditional Christmas market in the city's central Vorosmarty Square has earned a reputation as one of most interesting fairs in Europe since the city decreed that all crafts must be hand-made and original.
The market is now in its 17th year, with an established tradition of handicrafts of all shapes and sizes which tourists flock to buy from all over the world. To guarantee quality and authenticity, stalls must meet quality standards approved by the Association of Hungarian Folk Artists.
"The Budapest Christmas Fair continues to insist on having only Hungarian handmade products, because we think that it will ensure that high standard which has always characterized this market. It is very important that we sell unique artisan products because this is the main reason why Hungarians and people from all across the world make their way here," said an artisan named Zoltan Perjesi.
This year, the fair brought forward the opening to the end of November and stalls will be open until the first week of January in a bid to attract even more tourists. In addition to the Vorosmarty Square site, a new location has been set up in recent years by the nearby St Stephen's Basilica to give more artisans space to sell their goods.
The market is now in its 17th year, with an established tradition of handicrafts of all shapes and sizes which tourists flock to buy from all over the world.
Across the city, more than 120 stalls offer ceramics, jewelry, wooden artifacts, handmade cosmetics, sweets, and gourmet foods.
One small artisan family who have built up their unique brand of "Manka" figures come from a tiny village in eastern Hungary. Graphic artist Monika Horvath created the Manka design from a children's book figure and developed it into dolls and jewellery.
"Business is going well, people like what we do. My wife and I make everything ourselves," Istvan Kulcsar, co-owner of "Manka."
Apart from the unique goods, the market also offers cultural program and concerts in the evenings at the market stage.
中国公共新闻网摘编：GAN JADE |
