Our second advent story

Santé et joyeux Noël!

In France, Christmas is just as lavish as it is in Germany - people feast, feast and feast again. The three postdocs Emilie Coppin (Waskow research group), Julia Heiby (Ori research group) and Marie Tollot-Wegner (von Eyß research group) talk about the special features of their Christmas celebrations.

From the starter to the main course and dessert, they serve up a hearty meal. "Everyone always moans that they can't get anything else in, but it's the same every year," tells Julia laughing. "Exactly," confirms Emilie. “At ours we even have 13 desserts." The so called Bûche de Noël is definitely one of them. It’s a biscuit roll, which is modeled on a tree trunk. It’s very substantial on its own. The main course is usually chicken, but in some regions oysters, lobster and snails are served. "Often only grandparents still like snails," explains Marie and all three of them grimace and nod in agreement. Champagne is also a must.

Although all three come from different regions of France – Julia's family from Alsace, Marie from Bourgogne and Emilie from Orange, the so-called "gateway to Provence" – they agree that the most important and best thing about Christmas is not the traditional food, but being together with the family. Emilie and Julia are already looking forward to Christmas in their home country. Marie and her family will celebrate Christmas in Germany, and join her relatives in France later. Before then, all three of them toast to the coming Holidays and wish "Santé et joyeux Noël"!