October 13, 2024, 4:36 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
Every year, an international jury on behalf of the European Parliament selects a city in Europe as the European Christmas Capital. For 2024, the choice fell on Brno – and for good reason.
When the scent of cinnamon, mulled wine, and freshly baked gingerbread wafts through the streets and thousands of lights illuminate the historic old town, Brno is transformed into a true Christmas paradise. This year, the Czech city was awarded the title “European Christmas Capital 2024” in the category of cities with over 100,000 inhabitants. It was chosen by an international jury on behalf of the European Parliament.
What distinguishes the Christmas Capital
This is now the 8th year in a row that the European Parliament has commissioned an international jury to select a Christmas capital. As the winner, the Czech city of Brno joins a list of cities such as Liège (Belgium), Genoa (Italy) and San Sebastián (Spain). The award is primarily given to cities that represent a special connection with European and Christian values and Christmas traditions.
In an interview with Radio Prague International, Hana Bánovská, spokesperson for the city’s tourist office, expressed her delight at the award. “We were surprised and delighted to receive the award. This is a great award for our team and the partners with whom we create the Christmas program.”
Values such as tolerance and integration play a role
In their application, the main focus was on locality and solidarity. Brno works closely with local retailers, artists, musicians, and designers, especially in the context of the Christmas markets. As a result, the city creates a unique atmosphere. According to Czech News, Brno’s mayor, Markéta Vaňková, emphasized the importance of local involvement and explained that the Brno Christmas Festival is now recognized as an event of European significance.
The award does not only focus on the successful organization of tourist highlights and Christmas markets. The initiators also emphasize the deeper meaning of Christmas in Europe, which stands for values such as tolerance, integration, charity, and peace. In Brno, the charitable idea has increasingly taken center stage in recent years. This is one of the reasons why it was chosen as the Christmas capital of Europe this year.
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Christmas highlights in Brno
With its 380,000 inhabitants, Brno is often referred to as Prague’s “little sister”. This year, the city will be hosting a major festival to honor the European Christmas tradition and to mark its designation as “Christmas Capital 2024”. This will officially begin on November 22 and end on December 24. During this time, the entire city center will be in Christmas fever. So it’s worth planning a trip to the Czech Republic’s second-largest city now, especially for Christmas fans.
There are four central squares in Brno, all of which will be filled with Christmas markets and music programs. The streets and courtyards, including Freedom Square, the Herb Market, and the inner courtyard of the old town hall, will also shine in Christmas splendor at this time of year.
Other sights in Brno
Those who have had enough of all the Christmas spirit can also explore the city’s other sights. For one, Brno offers a fascinating underground labyrinth that runs six meters deep. You can also visit the impressive underground water reservoirs. The highlight, however, is the Brno Ossuary, one of the creepiest memorials in Europe. The mortal remains of around 50,000 people rest there.
Floods in Brno
But before you can really get into the Christmas spirit in Brno, you first have to deal with the current crisis. Flooding is currently affecting the lives of the locals in the Czech Republic. According to Österreichischer Rundfunk, a hospital in Brno has already had to be evacuated due to the masses of water. According to the hospital management, more than 180 patients from the Hospital of the Brothers of Mercy were gradually transferred to other facilities.
Even though the effects of the storm are already clearly visible, they could have been much worse. However, the Czech Republic has learned important lessons from the catastrophic floods of 1997 and 2002. Hopefully the worst damage can be avoided.