The energy crisis will not steal the Christmas markets in Prague
With few exceptions, Prague does not plan to limit Advent markets and Christmas decorations due to rising energy prices.
Before the end of the year, the town hall signed a contract that would guarantee that electricity would remain at the same price.
The different districts of Prague will not give up, for example, Christmas trees or other decorations. But some jurisdictions will replace them with cheaper LEDs.
Traditionally, the largest markets are held in the Old Town Square. This year, they will be dominated by a 25-meter-tall spruce tree from Česká Kamenice in the Děčín region.
Market organizers will light the 80-year-old spruce before the first Sunday of Advent on Saturday, November 26.
“We have been using the most energy-efficient LED bulbs for ten years, so there is no need to limit lighting significantly,” said Hana Tietze,
a spokeswoman for Taiko, which is in charge of the Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square and Namesti Republiky markets.
The situation is similar to Prague 3, where the organizers will also choose more economical lighting and use led bulbs.
Markets in Jiřího z Poděbrad Square will be on the same scale as before the covid pandemic, i.e. 12 stalls without restrictions. Prague 2
does not expect energy costs to rise as it has kept prices flat this year.
Prague 6 expects energy costs of CZK 33,000 for the entire Advent period thanks to the decoration of energy-saving LED fluorescent lamps and the agreed fixed price for energy from 2020.
“Markets will be open from December 9 to 23 in Šabach Park, where they will be accompanied by various musical and theatrical performances,” said Jiří Hannich, spokesperson for the municipal district.
Prague 7, on the other hand, will save energy this year and remove festive street lighting. It will only keep two illuminated Christmas trees on Strossmayerovo namesti and Ortenovo namesti.
However, the town hall is planning a varied program: the Christmas concert and the ice rink in Letná will be in standard mode.
