Around 560 years ago in the Middle Ages, this traditional Christmas fruit loaf was baked for the fasting period from flour, water and brewer's yeast. The shape was intended to remind people of the baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes and it didn't matter what the loaf tasted like. Heinrich Drasdow, a court head cook and baker in Torgau had the idea of adding sugar, raisins, almonds, dried fruit and butter to the loaf. Some of these valuable ingredients were only available at chemist's shops. Consequently, his customers at the time were all very wealthy. It was also a very tricky business to bake a fasting loaf using animal products such as butter that were condemned by the Pope. This sticky situation even became a problem for the princely brothers Frederick the Wise and John the Steadfast. At the time, they were ruling the extensive lands of Saxony from Torgau. They wrote a letter to Pope Innocent VIII and managed to legalise the recipe already being used.

Baker Drasdow received a letter of privilege for the "stollen" he had created and can now be considered the man who invented or at least rediscovered this rich Christmas bread that we know today as „Dresden Christstollen“. Even in pagan Germanic times, bread called "Gebildebrote" that contained dried fruits was baked. The baker from Torgau improved on these ancient recipes and courageously filled a gap in the market. At the court in Dresden, "stollen" or "striezel" as they were known there then were produced and consumed in previously unimaginable amounts. The stollen became ever better in taste and even more well-known. According to legend, the reason why the original Drasdow Stollen is now known as the Dresden Stollen is because the inhabitants of this stretch of land along the river Elbe mumble when they speak.

Sophie the Baker Explains the Story of the "Stollen" Christmas Fruit Loaf

Nowadays, you can go on a tour with Sophie the baker's wife through Torgau old town. She will tell you all about daily life in the bakery in the olden days and knows everything about the facts, legends and myths surrounding the question of "where did the Dresden stollen originate?" Every year at the Christmas market, the baker Frieder Francke invites everyone to join him at Torgau marketplace to ceremoniously cut the stollen into slices. He uses a stollen recipe by Barbara Wessner who is descended from the Drasdo family of bakers.

Where? Markt 1, 04860 Torgau

On the 1st Sunday in Advent 2023, you can enjoy some grilled sausages and mulled wine at the lighting of the Christmas pyramid in Leisnig. Leisnig's firemen will lead a lantern procession to the pyramid after the "Stollen" festival at the Münch am Eulenberg bakery where this traditional Christmas fruit loaf is baked. From 4:30 pm, the pyramid will be lit and begin to rotate accompanied by the Leisnig brass band and with the help of Leisnig outdoor swimming club.

When? 03.12.2023 at 4:30 pm
Where? Kirchstrasse, 04703 Leisnig

The Eilenburg Advent Calendar at the town hall traditionally incorporates special events that give all the town's citizens, businesses (shops, service companies, restaurants etc.), clubs and institutions the opportunity to be involved.

As everyone knows, there is always a surprise hidden behind each door of any Advent calendar. This will also be true at the big Eilenburg Town Hall Advent Calendar. There is a something special behind every number. Each business (shop, service company, restaurant etc.), club or institution can provide citizens with a surprise or a special offer on a specific day. These can be discounts or rebates, small gifts or even online tours and online tips that are only valid on the relevant day. The aim is to make interesting and worthwhile offers to the citizens of Eilenburg.

The Advent calendar will be back this year with a slightly different concept. Owing to the events of the last two years, members of the city council will provide reflective words or Advent wishes each day and the windows in the town hall will be lit up.

When? from 01.12.2023
Where? Marktpl. 1, 04838 Eilenburg

Four Candles
Four candles were lit on the advent wreath. Outside, everything was quiet and covered in snow. It was so quiet, that you could hear the candles start talking to each other.

The first candle sighed and said: "My name is PEACE. My flame keeps people safe, but there is so much war in the world. Nobody wants my light." The first candle's flame grew smaller and smaller and eventually went out.

The second candle flickered and said: "My name is FAITH. But I feel like nobody needs me. People don't believe in anything any more. What difference does it make if my flame is lit or not?" A draught blew through the room and the second candle went out.

Softly and hesitantly, the third candle began to speak: "My name is LOVE. I don't have the strength to keep my flame burning. Selfishness is ruling the world. People only look after themselves and are not prepared to help each other be happy." One last flicker, and this light also went out.

Then a child came into the room. Amazed, the child looked at the candles and said: "Why are you not burning? Your flames should be lit and not blown out." Worried, the child contemplated the three unlit candles.

Then the fourth candle spoke up. It said: "Don't be sad, my child. As long as my flame is still burning, we can always light the other candles again. "My name is HOPE."

The child lit a small piece of wood at the fourth candle and gave new life to peace, faith and love.

The smell of freshly baked bread and delicious cakes has been in the air in the town centre of Geithain since 1877.Bäckerei Claus is a family bakery that values originality and regionality. This is why the Clausens are famous and also well-known far beyond the city walls. Their "stollen" Christmas fruit cake is even in high demand as far away as the Cote d'Azur. There is also nothing better than some grilled meat from Butcher Schuhknecht from Geithain. This is a must at any festival in Geithain or guests will notice the difference straight away! The small shop has more than 500 different products available every day. Special requests are no problem. Products are packaged in modern reusable packaging called an ecoBox.

From 11 November to 13 January 2024 in the Spiegelpalast at Wilhelm Leuschner Square.

On 15, 16 and 17 December 2023 in St. Thomas Church.

On 17 December at Leipzig Gewandhaus.

On 25 December at Leipzig Gewandhaus.

Christmas Oratorio at St. Laurentius church in Markranstädt on 17 December 2023.

On 2 December 2023 at the Kulturbastion arts centre in Torgau.

On 16 December in the concert hall at the Bad Düben Heath Spa.

On 17 December 2023 in Grimma town hall.