November 30, 2003

Bethlehem Christmas Market

[Bethlehem, West Bank] Today was the 3rd annual Bethlehem Christmas Market in Manger Square. Actually it was mostly in the Peace Center. I guess I've been to every one. (Here's one: Dec 08, 2001 Christmas Market ) They had a lot of things there, although I didn't stay too long. I didn't see the old guys singing and dancing from Artas Group. There were little girls singing beautiful Christmas Carols, but they were no Artas Group.

There were arts, crafts, toys, puppets, Christmas decorations, singing, face painting, balloons, etc. Nice for Bethlehem to be celebrating Christmas, don't you think? If Christmas is to be celebrated anywhere in the world, it should be celebrated here! The market was sponsored by European countries. All profits from the market went toward helping the Children of Artas Orphanage and Ephpheta institution. Good for them.

By the way, the Christmas Market in Manger Square today is not the same as the Bethlehem Christmas Market. Visit for some Christmas gifts!

These little girls were great singers, but they were not triple-threats like Artas Group.
They'll have to learn to dance and act too.

Personally, I liked the puppets. If I had some extra shekels, I would have bought one for my niece and nephews.
My fallback gift is a nice lump of coal. (No batteries required!)

The puppet is fairly easy to operate, as this lady demonstrates.
But watch closely and you can see her lips move.