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The Week in Germany: Current Affairs

November 30, 2007

Decorations from Palestinian Territories Sold at Berlin Market

Glass and olive-wood decorations made in the Palestinian territories on sale in Berlin. Photos: dpa

This year for the first time the WeihnachtsZauber Christmas market in central Berlin's Gendarmenmarkt features Christmas decorations made in the Palestinian territories.

The Gendarmenmarkt fair's own Christmas tree from Zillertal in Austria will be adorned with traditional glass and olive wood decorations from the Palestinian territories. As the man behind the idea of presenting them to the German public, Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier opened this year's WeihnachtsZauber by video link on Monday (Nov. 26).

The WeihnachtsZauber market at Berlin's Gendarmenmarkt, a historic city square.

Berlin Governing Mayor Klaus Wowereit also gave a speech and strolled through the market in the German capital. Nearby, traditional Jewish crafts will be on sale at the Hannukah (Festival of Lights) market that opens on Sunday (Dec. 2) in the Jewish museum.

The idea for the Palestinian decorations was born on Minister Steinmeier's trip to the Middle East in May 2007. His schedule took him to Bethlehem, where he spent the night, visited the Christian-Muslim Talitha Kumi School and discussed over dinner with representatives of the local business community what could be done to boost the Palestinian economy. One concrete step they agreed on was to present Palestinian Christmas tree decorations to a wider public in Berlin during Advent.

In connection with the opening of the fair, Palestinian Tourism Minister Khuloud Daibes and a delegation of business leaders visited Germany for talks with political and business leaders. During their one-week stay in Germany the choir of the Talitha Kumi School performed at the opening together with the orchestra of Berlin's Musikgymnasium Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach.

The presentation of Palestinian Christmas tree decorations at the fair is a tangible contribution to the economic development the German government and the European Union are committed to promoting under the EU's action plan for the Middle East.

Links:

Foreign Minister Steinmeier in the Middle East (Germany.info)

Federal Foreign Office

City of Berlin

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