Walking around and smelling the aroma of mulled wine, grilled sausages and freshly baked bread, while kids are running and cheerful melodies fill the air. This means you are probably in the middle of some holiday bazaar. In December citizens of Sofia had the opportunity to have a drink and snack during the innovative Christmas festival entitled “Sofia Mezi”, which offers a program of music performances each night. Those who prefer calmer events could try the two other holiday bazaars in Sofia – near the Ivan Vazov Theatre and in Krasno Selo. Souvenirs, hats, food, drinks, beer and wine attracted a number of visitors and their wallets. It is a good feeling to visit these joyful places, where the holiday spirit is alive. It has become a tradition in Sofia for at least one German Christmas market to be organized.

Florian Saliger loves Christmas markets and has visited many of them in native Austria and in Germany. Here is what he told us about the atmosphere of the typical German Christmas market.

“Christmas markets are always beautifully lit and when there is snow and it is cold outside, the magic is born. Children have a lot of fun. Last year we had a special post station where they dropped their letters to Santa Claus. Kids can bake cakes, draw paintings, or prepare presents for their parents. Here people find warmth in this cold season.”

Florian also says that Germans and Austrians eat traditional goulash in a bowl that is made out of bread and can be eaten too. Various kinds of sausages, curly fries, and drinks are served, too.  While in Bulgaria people mostly buy Christmas decoration, calendars, gloves and hats, in Germany and Austria bestsellers are souvenirs, wooden toys, and aromatic oils.

Among the most memorable participants in one of the markets in Sofia this year were producers of organic wine. Here's what they told us:

"We produce wine according to European standards. These are organic wines of very high quality. Our winery receives EU subsidies. It is a family winery and everyone is involved in the production process. No chemicals are used and there is no added sugar. "

Visitors could also taste the “Trastenaya” raspberry wine produced near the town of Bov. The wine attracted passersby with its exceptional flavor and delicate taste. Other participants were selling natural health products. Despite the cold weather they were all happy.

"Fortunately, more and more people are starting to realize that Bulgarian nature with its herbs can help for solving health problems and for general strengthening of the body. More and more people are turning to traditional medicine, which has existed for centuries. Our grandmothers were not using antibiotics and chemicals. They treated themselves and their children with herbs."

In anticipation of the New Year people we talked to wished others health, luck, faith, positive emotions, and love.

English: Alexander Markov