Nora Falk assumes the title of Nuremberg's Christmas Angel for the upcoming season - Nora Falk Denotes the Modern-day Nuremberg Christmas Celebration
Nuremberg, Germany - 15-year-old Nora Falk has been chosen to take on the prestigious role of Nuremberg's Christkind, a centuries-old Christmas tradition in the city. Falk, who was selected from six finalists, expressed her gratitude and awe at the honour, stating she needs time to process it.
The Christkind, a symbolic "Christmas Angel," plays a pivotal role in opening the famous Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, the city's iconic Christmas market. This tradition dates back to at least 1628, with roots in the Christian gift-giving traditions of the Advent season. Unlike the Santa Claus figure common in other cultures, the Christkind represents the Christ Child who brings gifts, emphasizing the religious origins of the Christmas festivities.
The role of the Christkind is traditionally held by a young girl from Nuremberg, a tradition that began in 1969. The selection process focuses on poise, presence, and a connection to Nuremberg's Christmas spirit. The exclusive choice of girls for this role helps maintain the authenticity of the centuries-old symbol within the community and for millions of visitors each year.
Nora Falk, an active teenager who enjoys tennis, theater, kickboxing, and singing in her free time, will don the traditional Christkind costume for her public appearances. This costume includes a dress adorned with stars, a curly wig, a golden crown, and wings. Falk's costume will be created by tailors from the Nuremberg State Theater.
During her two-year tenure, Falk will deliver a traditional multi-stanza Christmas poem at the opening of the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt and make appearances at over 100 appointments during the Advent season, including schools, kindergartens, and retirement homes. Falk will make her public appearance as Christkind from the gallery of the Church of Our Lady, where she will open the market on November 28.
The city justifies the exclusion of boys from the costume with historical references, stating that the Christkind is a female figure. Actresses have held the role in the past, but since 1969, only girls from Nuremberg have been chosen. A new Christkind will be chosen in 2027.
Falk has expressed her intention to preserve the tradition and magic of Christmas while giving the office a personal touch. She looks forward to bringing joy and spreading the spirit of Christmas to the city and its visitors during her time as Nuremberg's Christkind.
[1] https://www.nuremberg.de/en/christkindlesmarkt [2] https://www.nuremberg.de/en/christkind [4] https://www.christkindlesmarkt-nurnberg.de/en/history/
- Nora Falk's lifestyle as an active teenager, engaged in tennis, theater, kickboxing, and singing, aligns perfectly with her new role as Nuremberg's Christkind, a symbol of the city's rich community and Christmas spirit.
- As Falk embarks on her new fashion-and-beauty journey, donning the traditional Christkind costume, she will embody the home-and-garden charm of Nuremberg during the Advent season, gracing over 100 appearances with her presence.
