Christmas Carolling

Every year, the day before Christmas Eve the good folks of Köpenick come together at the football stadium of the local club FC Union Berlin. Thousands upon thousands line up on the ranks, a white candle in one hand and a book of Christmas carols in the other, ready to sing their jolly hearts out. Supported by a local school choir, this is always an eclectic mix of traditional carols and football chants which to us means: 'It's finally Christmas again!'.



It does kind of looks like they transformed the field into an ice rink, doesn't it. Which I would love. A whole lot.



Unfortunately the picture quality is a bit sub-par for this post. I only had my phone on me because my hands were already full of candles and song books. But I have some panoramas for you to make up for it.




When everyone has found a place the lights are dimmed and the club hymn floods through the stadium, enthusiastically sang along to by more than 30,000 people.



Then, the choir takes the stage and the carolling begins.




The whole atmosphere continues to give you goose bumps time and time again.



Slowly we make our way through all the carols in the book. One of them was given a sparkling new text to honour the stadium (Alte Försterei) we stand in.





Frozen but finally into the Christmas cheer after an unusually warm December, mum and I made our way home amidst the masses. Still humming carols as we stroll through the streets.


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