Budapest's largest Christmas market opens

The traditional Vörösmarty tér Christmas market this year is selling more food and less gifts, but this has not affected the popularity of the event, writes mfor.hu. An effort continues to keep worthless ("gagyi") products away from the market and instead feature artists selling their handmade crafts, in order to raise standards.

The market attracted a large crowd on its first weekend. Most people were only looking around and not shopping, except for foreigners, which vendors say is usual for three weeks before Christmas. At this time of year, Hungarians rather buy food at the markets - mulled wine, hurka, kürtős kalács and lángos. Prices have not changed much since last year; a kürtős kalács is usually sold for Ft 1,000 (€3.95).

A recently-opened office and store complex on the square is expected to attract more shoppers to the area this year. This building and the shopping center called Luxus Áruház, which will be renovated, will probably boost traffic at the market.

This is the ninth annual Vörösmarty tér Christmas Market. In 2005, the event was included among Europe's ten best Christmas markets by Travel & Leasure magazine, and last year, budget airline SkyEurope's magazine SkyBlue ranked it among the six best.

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