Cyprus Mail 3 December 2020 - by Eleni Philippou
What’s happening to this year’s Christmas markets? Most have been cancelled as strict government measures don’t leave much legroom for mulled wine evenings and gift browsing and one big annual market in Larnaca that many were looking forward to has also had to hang up its hat for this year. However, the Traditional Christmas Market has found a new way to go ahead – online!
In preparation since September, organiser Sarah Mcalister has been in contact with stallholders, local councils and the health ministry for months now to make sure the annual Christmas market takes place in a safe, controlled environment. Just a few weeks ago, it was all good to go yet with the latest coronavirus measures, Sarah found herself at a dead end.
“I fought and fought to keep it going,” she told Cyprus Mail. “So many depend on the market, it’s a big event and it’s been a difficult year for all. I had even hired a private security company to count people going in and out and secured the area,” but still, officials told her it wasn’t possible to carry on with the event.
Months of work were cancelled but in the nine years Sarah’s been doing the market, it has gathered hundreds of followers, both visitors and stallholders whose income largely depends on it. At first, exhausted from the rollercoaster it has been trying to plan a big event during a pandemic, Sarah was going to abandon the market for this year. Then, somebody suggested it move online and seeing as many were messaging her to get in touch with the stallholders, she decided to launch the Traditional Christmas Market Cyprus Virtual Online Market.
Essentially, it’s a platform where the stallholders that were going to take part in the market can share and sell their products. Anyone can check out the Facebook Page, browse the photos and items and contact the sellers directly to purchase.
“It’s the first time we’re doing anything like this,” Sarah admitted, “I’m not even sure if we’re doing it the right way but the response has been great so far.” The page will be active until Christmas Day and Sarah hopes this gives both the artists and the public a touch of festive spirit and support.
“Hopefully this is a way for some stallholders to sell some products they’ve made. It’s heart-breaking for them, so much work put into it… It’s been a tough year for everybody, especially for small businesses,” she said.
