SM Prime Holdings and the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) are giving Filipinos the chance to experience European-style Christmas celebration by replicating "Christkindlmarket" at the SM Mall of Asia Olympic-size skating rink annually starting in December.
Henry Schumacher, ECCP executive vice president, said the weeklong event beginning December 3 is expected to attract at least 20,000 local and foreign visitors.
"It will be an entirely new experience for the Filipino public. Christmas in Europe is just as festive as here in the Philippines. What makes it unique are the food, music and performances that come along with the celebration. The event is also a way for Philippine companies that have established links in Europe to showcase and sell their export products in the local market," he said.
Christkindlmarket started in Germany and is now widely celebrated in other European countries and currently attracting more than 2 million international tourists annually.
In the agreement forged by ECCP and SM Prime, the Mall of Asia Ice Skating Rink will be transformed into a traditional European town Christmas market that features stores carrying European food, pastries, wines, toys, arts and crafts, fashion accessories, decors, among others.
It will also be the venue for a giant Christmas tree-lighting ceremony, occasional snow fall, sled rides, cultural performances, musicals, Christmas carol sing-along, puppet shows, lantern parade, treasure hunt, laser light show and meet-and-greet with Santa Claus.
ECCP, the first European chamber of commerce in the world, has been promoting bilateral trade between the Philippines and Europe and organizing events that showcase European culture and sports.
Source: Business Mirror; The Economy; 17 August 2012
