Connecting to roots by giving back

Opinion

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This article was published 12/11/2018 (2193 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Anyone looking for a volunteer opportunity to coincide with the holidays should look no further than Christkindlmarkt, the oldest continuous German Christmas market in Canada.

Organized each year by the German Canadian Congress, the market features local arts and crafts alongside German imports and traditional German baking.

The event takes place in the Fort Garry Place Mall (30 Fort St.) from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2.

“I personally love Christmas, so any little thing I get to do to celebrate the holiday is great,” Chantal Thibert says.

Thibert volunteers at the market portraying the Christkind, the traditional gift-bringer in a variety of European countries, including Germany.

The Christkind, which translates to “Christ child,” is depicted as an angelic figure with blond hair and wings.

Thibert was given the opportunity by her former dance teacher, Carola Lange, who co-ordinates the Christkindlmarkt.

“I mean, who could turn that down?” Thibert says with a laugh, adding her main job is to “spread joy” at the market by handing out candy to children and posing for pictures.

For the 21-year-old University of Manitoba nursing student, volunteering at Christkindlmarkt is a way to connect with her German heritage.

Her grandparents emigrated from Germany. They shared their passion for German culture by volunteering at Folklorama, often taking Thibert with them when she was a child.

“It’s such a friendly environment and I get to practise my German,” Thibert says of Christkindlmarkt.

“The people are amazing.”

Anke Karg enjoys the market for similar reasons.

The 63-year-old volunteers her time importing authentic folk art and handicrafts from Germany for sale at the Christkindlmarkt.

Karg was born and raised in Merzen, a small municipality in northern Germany. She moved to Manitoba after marrying her husband.

Before retiring, she ran a small business that imported German table linens.

As such, she’s visited numerous Christmas markets over the years.

Christkindlmarkt stands out, though, she says.

“I give my time back to them because I always liked that Christmas market,” Karg says.

“It was a special market for some reason.”

It’s unique because it includes a café where guests can sit down and eat German cake.

Visitors are also offered mulled wine, which is traditionally served at Christmas markets in Germany.

“The Fort Garry Place Mall is very attractive,” Karg says. “It looks so very beautiful in there.”

Organizers are looking for volunteers to help with this year’s Christkindlmarkt.

People are needed to help set up and take down the market, sell items and assist in the kitchen with cooking hot meals for patrons.

“We couldn’t do it without our volunteers,” Lange says, adding that you don’t need to be German or speak German to help out.

Christkindlmarkt includes vendors and entertainers from a variety of backgrounds.

“The market does a good job of being multicultural… which I think is important, especially here in Canada,” Thibert says.

“It’s a unique arts and crafts show. People should definitely come check it out.”

Email dkknational@gmail.com or phone 204-989-8300 for details about volunteering.

If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron.epp@gmail.com.