Organizers and exhibitors had every reason to be happy at the weekend: for the 35th edition of the Frankfurt Easter Market, around 3200 people braved the stormy weather to visit the market at the Dominican Monastery - more than ever before. Organizer Ingrid Bauer was justifiably proud that the traditional Easter market, which has been organized by volunteers from the very beginning, attracted so many lovers of arts and crafts in its anniversary edition as well, and that the exhibitors were satisfied with the sales of their elaborate creative works. In addition, Ingrid Bauer was pleased that since the premiere in 1984, the Easter Market has succeeded in being free of commercialism and supporting a good cause with the proceeds from stand fees and admission. For more than 25 years, the proceeds have gone to the German Multiple Sclerosis Society (DMSG) Landesverband Hessen and local MS groups.
This year, lovers of handcrafted, intricately worked Easter eggs and spring-like decorative items also got their money's worth. There was a colourful selection to be discovered at around 60 stands, which would make the Easter Bunny turn green with envy. The artisans willingly explained and demonstrated their techniques for decorating Easter eggs to interested visitors. Like Ursula Kähn from Frankfurt-Nied, for example, who needs 90 hours to turn her ostrich eggs into works of art. She has been exhibiting her work at the Frankfurt Easter Market for a good 30 years. It is important to her that the proceeds are for a good cause. This view is also shared by Gerlinde Schmidt from the Westerwald, who sold self-made colourful wooden pendants for branches and plugs for flower boxes at her stand. "The social idea at the Easter Market is close to my heart, and I think it's good that the proceeds from the stand fees and from the admission tickets go to MS patients," emphasized Gerlinde Schmidt, who has been present at the Easter Market with her wooden decorations for more than 20 years. New exhibitors also showed their work, such as two egg painters. At one, the Easter eggs were wrapped with copper wire, and at the other, the shells were decorated with beads like Fabergéeggs. There were also porcelain paintings, calligraphic works, paper collages, floristry, ceramics, Easter flower arrangements, patchwork, self-sewn fabric bags, embroidery and Thuringian glass art. Visitors were able to look over the shoulders of some of the artisans at work. For example, confectionery world champion Bernd Siefert from Michelstadt in the Odenwald, who conjured up little Easter bunnies from marzipan sitting in the middle of a thick cabbage and tempted visitors with delicious chocolate Easter eggs, chocolates, pralines and much more. A really successful anniversary, which already makes you want to come to the 36th Easter Market next year!
More info can also be found at: www.dmsg-hessen.de
