BOLZANO. Christmas market, things change. The Waltherpark advances, the Stazione park area is no longer usable and the artisans’ stands move along via Isarco and Cappuccini park. The president of the tourist board, Roland Burattitalks about an important challenge: «We’ve been working on it for months, it will be a surprise for the city and tourists».
An important choice also to give back to the people of Bolzano a little-frequented part of the city, very often avoided because it is degraded. Inauguration on November 28th
On November 28th at 5pm, meet in Piazza Walther for the inauguration of 74 stalls (10 more than last year) to which another 18 are added between via Isarco and Parco Cappuccini.
The skepticism of the artisans
Not all the artisans have joined, the skepticism is strong: «To get to the end of Via Isarco, visitors have to come and look for us. The stands are not well signposted. The best location remains that of Piazza Municipio which has been denied to us for years.” This year too, however, the icy track returns.
August: winning choice
Roberta Agosti, director of the tourist company, speaks of a winning choice: «The Christmas display of Parco Cappuccini will amaze everyone. I’m sure it will be a success. Exceptional lights will be installed.” Christmas readings and workshops are planned to learn how to create small Christmas angels with your own hands to take home. It remains to be seen whether the temporary move will become permanent when the Waltherpark is completed. «We can’t decide now – continues Buratti – we have to see how this year will go and above all how the Stazione park will look at the end of the works. Only then will we understand.”
Over 1 million visitors
The Market – born in 1991 from a happy intuition of former councilor Roland Atz – promises to be a record-breaking event. «I feel like saying this – continues the president – because hotel bookings are going well. Last year Bolzano reached one million visitors, we aim to confirm them.” Confirm and, if possible, increase the 50 million euros in profits from related activities, including other shopping and catering. Among the novelties of the last edition, the large number of non-European visitors, especially from Asia, expected again this year.
The train from Milan
The tourist company talks about an increasingly green market. «We invite guests to reach Bolzano by train. Trains from Milan are scheduled every weekend.” The brochures are printed on 100% recycled paper, reusable cutlery and crockery will be used, the use of canned drinks will be avoided and the food stands will offer seasonal, regional, vegetarian foods and drinks with organic ingredients and only glass water with “Mercatino di Bolzano” brand.
Writers in the city
Il Cittadino will host the ninth edition of “A Christmas of Books”, a cultural catwalk that will see writers every Friday and Saturday from 29 November to 14 December. Expected – among others – are Paola Barbato, Vittorio Emanuele Parsi, Mariapia Veladiano, Waltraud Mittich, Luca Fregona, Carlo Cottarelli, Valerio Varesi, Massimo Montanari, Alberto Mattioli, Gaia Tortora, Pupi Avati (in collaboration with the Società Dante Alighieri), Megi Bulla and others.