The Qingdao Sternenmarkt: a romantic site in winter

Many foreigners put up stalls and sell exotic food.  By Liu Dong
 
The wind of early winter blows every street and alley of Qingdao. As evening closes in, you can walk to the end of Longjiang Road in the old urban area, pass The Castle Hotel and then arrive at the location where the annual Qingdao Sternenmarkt is held.
 
The Sternenmarkt derives from Germany in the late Medieval Ages. It is in 2006 that two Germans living in Qingdao permanently named Clemens and Ulf organized the first German-style Christmas-themed Sternenmarkt. Because stars can be seen in the market, it was named Sternenmarkt, sounding both romantic and glamorous.
 
Therefore, every winter, Qingdao holds a Sternenmarkt bustling with people. Till now, the Sternenmarkt has been held successfully for 13 times. Last year, as many as 60,000 people were attracted to the market to seek their own ordinary and genuine happiness in winter days.
 
Held for 14 times, the Sternenmarkt, which was underway, not only gathered delicious food from all over the world, for instance, German fine food and vintage wine with seasonal restrictions, mulled wine, grilled chestnuts and chocolate sugar sculpture etc. as well as Italian wine, German sausage and French bread , but also was home to a dazzling array of delicate articles including a log cabin with unique characteristics, attractive stuffs manually made by local craftsmen, ordinary wood carving, eagle wood carving, crystal ball and Christmas tree ornaments.
 
In the crowded market, someone bought a pair of earrings or a hat randomly in either the tent or the log cabin, gnawed at a French bread and drank a cup of mulled wine etc. “We are students from Qingdao University of Science and Technology. Guided by Xiaohongshu, a popular lifestyle sharing app in China, we specially come here for fun. The market makes us feel as much as celebrating the Spring Festival. Hopefully, we can open a stall next year with friends. So let’s make an appointment for next year’s Sternenmarkt.” said a group of adorable students joyously.
 
“For Qingdao, the Sternenmarkt serves as an opportunity for Sino-German cultural exchanges. Germans who live in Qingdao hope the market can make them feel at home.” said the stallholder of Yu Zhi Hui Guan.
 
A lady who was born in the 1960s starts making handiwork after retirement. She also attended the market this year. “I like participating in such activities. The reason that the Sternenmarkt is so popular is it embraces diversified cultures. In addition,  widely participated by citizens, it is able to provide a fresh lifestyle.”
 
In early winter, the Qingdao Sternenmarkt integrated so naturally into the daily life of citizens, as romantic and fresh as sea breeze of Qingdao.