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Wolfgang Haider, chairman of the Salzburg Christkindlmarkt Society | © Tourismus Salzburg
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The Christ-child's helper: Wolfgang Haider
It's his job to make the lights sparkle and faces light up in wonderment, to provide unforgettable moments and ensure that everything runs smoothly. Wolfgang Haider probably has one of the best jobs there is – but it's also very demanding. Since 1995 he has been chairman of the Salzburg Christkindlmarkt Society. We invited him to talk to us about good planning, childhood memories and the magic of the Salzburg Christmas.
Herr Haider, what exactly are the tasks expected of the chairman?
As chairman, it's my job to ensure that the Christkindlmarkt runs smoothly. This includes personnel management, finances, administrative matters, marketing and public relations, as well as co-operation with the relevant institutions. The Society is structured like a company, almost like a corporation. But as I always say, the people in the Society may change, the Christkindlmarkt stays.
What is especially important to you in the implementation?
For us, it's particularly important to make the Christkindlmarkt an experience – above all for children. So we have a whole range of attractions for our younger visitors. For instance, drinks include warm apple juice, children's punch, hot chocolate, tea and organic drinks in returnable bottles with practical tops. There are baby articles such as gloves and bonnets on sale, and of course really good toys. The Christ-child, the "Perchten" parade and the children's choirs on Friday afternoons also play an important role. When we see the excitement of the children at these events, and the effort they make to take part or sing in the choirs – that's something special. We simply try to appeal to all five senses. The large model railway by the Christmas tree on Residenzplatz is not to be missed – I've often observed how parents, too, can get quite nostalgic.
Wolfgang Haider at Salzburg Christkindlmarkt | © Tourismus Salzburg
"Perchten" parade at Salzburg Christkindlmarkt | © Tourismus Salzburg
How many people are involved in organising, setting up and implementing the market?
Over 1,000 people are involved in the organisation of the Christkindlmarkt, from the cleaning staff to the tractor drivers. There's a lot to do. For us, after the Christkindlmarkt is before the Christkindlmarkt. On the opening day, we are already beginning to plan for the following year, because then we can see what we can do better.
How many market stalls are there?
In all, there are 96 stalls. A special feature of the Salzburg Christkindlmarkt is that the stallholders own their stalls, as opposed to renting them. We have 10 percent catering and a specific proportion of stalls in the areas of floristry, toys, Christmas articles, textiles, etc. Individuality is important, and so is continuity. I often hear that visitors have a favourite stall to which they remain loyal because they have good memories associated with it. How do you become a stallholder? You can apply. The selection of stalls is done with great care, in order to ensure variety and balance. Otherwise, the market would consist mainly of food and drink stalls. During the year, we receive many enquiries from people interested, but as yet hardly any proper applications.
We've heard that there's food you can find only at the Salzburg Christkindlmarkt, specially created for it. What should we absolutely try?
Each of the 10 food stalls is completely individual – that's a distinguishing feature of the Christkindlmarkt. Of course, the food includes the classic sausages, boiled or fried, baked potatoes with a variety of sauces, as well as vegan food. The freshly cooked flame salmon and the Kasnocken [cheese dumplings] are fantastic. Also the warm Bauernkrapfen [farmer's doughnuts, sweet or savoury] or the Haunsberger [a roll filled with sausage meat, sauerkraut, onions and mustard], invented at the foot of the Haunsberg. Sweets include Baumkuchen [cake cooked on a spit], crêpes, waffles, churros and Kaiserschmarrn [torn sugared pancake with raisins]. There are many exciting products that aren't available in Salzburg during the year. Then there's the glögg, the Feuerzangenbowle, Jagatee [black tea with rum], warm apple juice with or without a shot – all delicious. If you're thinking of taking a culinary trip, you won't get through everything, because it's just all so special!
Wolfgang Haider checks out the culinary delights on offer. | © Tourismus Salzburg
The visit of the Christ-child is a highlight, especially for children. | © Tourismus Salzburg
The Christ-child's visit is certainly a special feature. How can you become the Christ-child?
Any girl between the ages of 16 and 23 could become the Christ-child. They can simply apply to us - there are no particular qualifications. The Christ-child's duties consist in appearing in public and talking, so you shouldn't be shy. It's marvellous if you can speak foreign languages, because we like to greet visitors in various languages – but that isn't a must. We have a particularly high number of applicants this year.
What makes Salzburg in Advent unique for you?
Salzburg in Advent – you just have to experience it for yourself: the nearby mountains already covered with snow, everything in the Old Town so close together and charmingly decked out, the narrow streets with Christmas decorations, the Christkindlmarkt, the bells ringing from all the churches. All this combines to create an atmosphere comparable with no other town. The Christkindlmarkt has become a central meeting-place – many people come first to the market and then visit the rest of the town. This is a pleasure for us organisers. So we make every effort to plan the Christkindlmarkt as perfectly as possible, so that everyone can enjoy it and return the following year with positive memories. When, a fortnight before Christmas, kindergarten children walk through the Christkindlmarkt and, wide-eyed with wonder, drink their apple juice – then we know we've got something right. Then for me, this is Christmas.
For the past two years, the Salzburg Christkindlmarkt Society has also organised the New Year's Eve party, and the market stays open until 1 January. How did that come about?
Well, Christmas doesn't actually begin until 24 December – that's the first day of Christmas, and it used to be the last day of the Christkindlmarkt. Then we extended it to the 26th. A few years ago, the Society was asked if we'd like to take over the New Year's Eve festivities. Our concept was to keep the Christkindlmarkt open and to celebrate New Year on 31 December and 1 January with a big stage on the Kapitelplatz. We have top-quality music, with super bands, like the Lungau Big Band or musicians from the Mozarteum, and choirs. Last year it was a huge success, attended mainly by locals. New Year's Eve in the town on Kapitelplatz, where people can dance, and then the fireworks over the Fortress – that's quite an experience!
