Dresden and Dresden Walks: Open to the world

Dresden is for everyone! This is the motto of the march that will take place in Dresden on Monday the 8th December.

The people of Dresden believe, and would like to show to the world, that they accept and welcome people from all walks of life, from all countries, of all religions, all ages, color and sexual orientation. And in order to state this loud and clear they will march to take a stand against PEGIDA.

Dresden Walks is an international team and we will be ceratinly taking part in the march. In case you are in Dresden and this is an issue close to your heart, you could do so as well. The beginning is at 4:30 pm from the Neustadt Train Station and will end in the city centre. 

The Dresdner Stollenfest

Today was the Dresden 'Stollenfest', a great festival with a lively procession through the city centre featuring a Stollen- the christmas cake particular to and only original from the Dresden region. The stollen that is paraded in the festival is not a regular one however. Last year it weighed more than 4000 kilos!

The stollen is taken through the city in a horse drawn carriage accompanied by master bakers and a beautiful Stollen Maiden, unveiled to the public with great pomp and finally cut up into 500 gram squares at the 'Striezelmarkt' Christmas Market. These are then sold for a good cause. The ceremonial sword used to cut the cake up is 1.6 meters long and weighs 12 Kilos. I am sure it needs some practice to wield this sweet sword!

Last year the festival had more than a 150 000 visitors. It seemed to me that we had more this time than last year. We certainly hope you were one of them. And if not, be here next year and walk with us after the procession! Here are some photographs from our walk this morning.

Waiting to start the walk with Heike at our meeting point 

Katharina sets off with her group