An expert explains... an East German Christmas

What was Christmas like in East Germany? Richard Millington, Programme Leader for German at Chester, discusses a typical East German Christmas and the differences and similarities with traditional celebrations in other parts of Germany.

[@TheRichardSpearman]

I spent a Christmas in the DDR in the early 1980s. I "enjoyed" (or should that be "endured" a Christmas goose, and the variety shows that were on DDR television on Christmas Day. I recall being surprised when I saw public transport operating as usual on Christmas Day in towns eg trolley bus/trams/buses; DDR citizens were amazed/appalled when I said that most urban public transport was closed down on this date in Britain.

[@maspalfiker]

So in a way Christmas in the DDR was a "modern" interpretation of Christmas as by todays lets say Atheists who still wish to preserve the celebration of love and friendship. But then without so much commercialism. In Croatia, then as DDR a part of the Communist Europe and a member state of the Communist Yugoslavia, Christmas was celebrated as a religious holiday but in a kind of secrecy. The decoration of Christmas trees and exchanging gifts was moved a week later to New Years Day when even a kind of Santa (Father Frost) brought presents to children. I believe in Yugoslavia this was due to the fact that 2 of the 6 republics were Catholic, 3 were Orthodox and 1 was mixed+Muslim, so Christmas couldnt be celebrated on one date. So New Years Day was picked as being a compromise in the middle of the calendar. It was interesting to find out how in East Germany Christmas was pretty much the same as today, thanks :) I do have one question, was Christmas day and Boxing day a public holiday off work like it is today in both Ex East Germany and Croatia where I'm from? In (communist) Croatia only New Year was a public holiday and Christmas was a normal working day.

[@williamberlin6540]

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