Lycée d’enseignement général et technologique
Docteur Koeberlé, Sélestat [FRANCE]

Christmas in Alsace: e-mail from 2nd 12 pupils (Ms Clad class) to Anagni students (december 2006)

Monday, December 11th 2006.

Dear Chiara, Jessica and Cecilia,

We are going to speak about Christmas traditions in Alsace and especially in Sélestat.

First of all, Sélestat is the birthplace of the Christmas tree since it shelters the oldest worldwide written indication of the Christmas tree. Indeed, it is an inscription dated the 21st of December 1521 and which relates of the expense of four schillings to keep an eye on the trees. It is contained in an accounts book and is exposed in the Bibliothèque Humaniste. So it seems to have been born in Alsace.

The word “meyen” points out a festive tree that we decorate as a sign of devotion. The Romans, from the winter solstice to the 1st January, decorated their houses with green branches to honour their god “Janus”. Then, the Christians of the Middle Ages put up the tree in the chorus and in the Church square. They carried apples and hosts and formed the setting of sacred games called “mystères”. Next, they appeared in some corporations and symbolized universal peace and love.

In the beginning of the XVI century, the Christian families replaced the branches of conifers by trees. So the setting was composed of two main elements :
- red apples represented the Adam's and Eve's original sin ;
- the hosts called “oublies” symbolized the Redemption brought by Jesus' sacrifice.
Instead of being hung up at the ceiling, they were put in a little trough filled with sand and gravel.

At the end of this century, the custom of presents changed its place from the Saint-Nicolas to the 24th December, that's why the Christmas tree is at the centre of the fests. However, the interpretation of the setting remains very Christian.

In the XVII century, in addition of apples and “oublies”, the trees were trimmed with “papillotes” that's to say special kinds of sweet with shiny wrapper.

In the XVIII century, in Alsace, apples disappeared and were replaced by round titbits as walnuts with a soft centre.
The “oublies” became “bredele”(typical Alsatian biscuits), waffles, ginger bread and all sorts of confectionery. What's interesting to note is that they are of different forms.

The crib was an idea of François d'Assise in the XII century. So, in the XIX century, the first characters of cribs were alive. The Christmas crib figures were usually put at the foot of the tree and surrounded with a wooden enclosure.
At the end of the century, the invention of the icing allowed to sprinkle the “bredele”.

In the XX century, the Christmas tree was topped by a gold coloured paper angel and a banner on which we can read “Gloria in excelsis Deo”. People lit candles they have hang up in order to illuminate the living-room. Apples became multicoloured Christmas balls with several kinds of glass objects.

Eventually, nowadays, every house and neighbourhood cut and decorate a Christmas tree  some weeks before Christmas Eve.

We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New-Year !

Kindest regards,

Claire, Olivier and Clémence.



Monday , 11th December 2006.

Dear Francesca F. , Margherita , Federica,

Let us speak about Christmas in Alsace and more particularly about Strasbourg, the City Lights.  

In the heart of winter, Strasbourg appears even more warm and welcoming. The streets, houses, church facades, windows, and balconies shine with a thousand lights and colours. The countless decors, each more original than the next, were patiently constructed during the autumn, in the image of the Advent wreaths hung on doors as a sign of hospitality. From the ‘Petite France', looking towards the spire of the cathedral, the ‘Grand-Rue' becomes a path of lights and guides you towards the Christmas Markets and the shop-lined streets flooded by lights, pine tree branches and soft melodies, as an invitation to take a stroll.

Now, we'll give you few informations about the Strasbourg's Christmas Market. Beginning in 1570, Strasbourg opened its Christmas Market around its prestigious cathedral. Since that time, its reputation in Europe has only increased, thanks to its merchant tradition as well as its spirit of tolerance and humanism that constitute its history and identity. The Christmas Market is in Strasbourg called the “Christkindelsmârik”.The Christmas Market is an invitation to an adventurous and savoury walk. The hundreds of artisans present, rich in talents, are as many invitations to the most enchanting discoveries, in the image of the ‘Bredle' Market, delicious little cookies traditionally prepared during the period of Advent.

The atmosphere which reigns in Strasbourg is unique. It is especially late in the afternoon, when the night falls, when the magic settles down. During the whole day the smell of mulled wine and hot doughnuts charm the visitors, as well as the music playing by musicians on several street corners. Usually, the main attractions of the market are the big Christmas tree placed in the main city square Place Kleber.

Alsace is a country of Christmas and tradition which welcome you with its many animations of the yearend.
Each year, as of the end of November, hundreds of thousands people, attracted by the numerous festivities, come to Alsace.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and happy holidays ! Kindest regards,                                                  

Charline, Justine and Tiffany.


Monday 11th   December  2006

Dear Ilaria, Elisa and Valentina

First we are going to talk about the Christmas traditions in Alsace and especially about ginger bread. Christmas time has a very important place in Alsace which produces a lot of different things which are linked to Christmas. For example Sélestat is famous for his Christmas trade and it's the capital of christmas trees.
In Alsace we love eat gingerbread during the Christmas times, the gingerbread is a kind of cake whose the predominant flavour is ginger. The gingerbread can take the form of a cake, or a cookie, we can use the gingerbread to build gingerbread house too like the witch's house of the story of Hansel and Grettel.
First, the gingerbread was just made in convents for Nicolas day. Next, it has been emerged as a token of friendship destinate to illustrious visitors. Today, Saint Nicolas and his donkey in gingerbread is a ritual present for the 6th December. In Alsace The gingerbread's village is Gertwiller since the 18th century where it has been introduced by Karl Fortwenger coming from the Germany.
The gingerbread is composed of flour, sugar, honey, nutmeg, cinnamon, almond, or another ingredient according to your recipe.
We hope that this subject has been interesting for you (joke) and we are looking forward to receiving your answer. That's all for now.

Good bye and merry Christmas, your dearest,  

Paul, Lucas and Maïté.








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