Christmas is the most significant holiday in the Czech Republic and the Embassy was truly grateful to once again be able to bring a taste of the holiday to Washington, DC, on November 10, 2018. This year visitors braved frigid temperatures outside and flocked to the market for glass ornaments, ornate jewelry, fine crystal, and delicious baked goods. They were greeted with much information about how Christmas is celebrated in the Czech Republic, including an overview of various thousand-year-old traditions.

As a special treat, a group of twenty children from the Czech and Slovak School of American Sokol Washington, DC, performed traditional Christmas carols for the guests. Representing their heritage, the children, ranging in ages from 3 years old and up, were all dressed in Czech national costumes known as kroje.

Visitors were able to purchase handcrafted ornaments of all colors, shapes and intricate designs from the Czech company Glassor. All of their ornaments are produced in-house and are mouth-blown and hand-painted, following glass making traditions going back to the 13^th century. The selection included glass toy ornaments, tree toppers, and traditional balls, which came in red, purple, green, brown, pink, gold, and even transparent colors.

Topix Crystal Art, a distributer of fine Bohemian crystal imported from the Czech Republic, offered a wide variety of vases, glassware, and glass Christmas decorations. Their pieces reflect both classical glass-making techniques and the latest sophisticated processes, which are revered all over the world. The Czech company Preciosa sold beautiful jewelry pieces, such as necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings, all designed with stunning crystals. Even their uniquely crystal decorated nail files and pens were a big hit among customers.

The Czech Embassy’s new talented chef Lukáš Vintr prepared a delicious potato soup, served with homemade Czech-style bread, for the visitors. The soup was made with potatoes, forest mushrooms, celery, carrots, parsnip, onions, and herbs such as parsley, cumin, marjoram, and bay leaves. Guests were able to also warm up with an aromatic cup of mulled wine, infused with oranges, cinnamon, clover, star anise, and sugar.

Bistro Bohem, the only restaurant offering Czech cuisine in Washington, and La Bohemia Bakery, a European artisan bakery located in Rockville, Maryland, baked loads of Christmas cookies, Czech pastries and breads for the market. Visitors enjoyed the sweets as well as delicious Christmas eggnog.

To put visitors in the Christmas spirit, families attending the market were also able to pet animals from the Frederick County Sheep Breeders, Blue Rock Farm, and Whispering Meadows Alpaca Breeders and purchase woolen products.

The Embassy of the Czech Republic thanks everyone for attending. We are grateful to be able to bring a taste of Czech Christmas to the Washington DC community.