Christmas markets for everyone: where blind visitors can enjoy mulled wine comfortably!

Christmas markets for everyone: where blind visitors can enjoy mulled wine comfortably!

in Berlin, the Christmas markets have proven to be a real challenge for people with visual impairments. One of these markets, the Christmas market at the Memorial Church, is advertised as barrier -free, but the visit is difficult for those affected and Christel Jung. The 65-year-old, who was blind through an early childhood surgery, moves with the help of her blind guide Jessy and is dependent on acoustic information. Nevertheless, the noise and the crowd on the market have made their orientation difficult. According to Christel, there are only a few places that are really barrier-free-the Christmas market at the Friedrichstrasse S-Bahn station is an exception, since less stimuli facilitate orientation, as it explains. The Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Companies also operates a Christmas market finder, which, however, only shows a single market as completely barrier-free, namely the Christmas market in Villa Donnersmarck.

an example of inclusive design

In contrast, an innovative initiative is implemented in Brandenburg an der Havel to promote accessibility at Christmas markets. The market there organizes so -called “silent hours” on December 4, in which loud music and bright light are switched off for four hours. The premiere last year attracted around 150 people with different disabilities, including autistic people. The showmen were enthusiastic about this possibility, reduced prices and created a quieter atmosphere. Such measures could also help in other cities such as Berlin to make Christmas market experience more pleasant for all people, emphasizes Paloma Rändel from the general blind and visually impaired association (ABSV).

In Munich, on the other hand, the Christmas markets bloom and offer plenty of mulled wine for all tastes. The city presents a variety of Christkindlmarkt, whereby the Munich Christkindlmarkt on Marienplatz, with its traditional stands, is a popular contact point. Here you can find everything from organic mulled wine to fruity variations. There are even special mulled wine festivals in which over 30 different varieties invite you to try, and cozy cafes that offer mulled wine in a cozy atmosphere. This wide range of enjoyment opportunities combines the festivities and creates an inviting atmosphere for everyone, even if the accessibility for people with disabilities is not always guaranteed, as Berlin's experiences show. According to Jonas Fischer from the Social Association of Germany, only 19 of 2,432 Christmas markets recorded in Germany are marked as barrier -free.