While the Strasbourg Christmas market normally represents enormous economic benefits, its cancellation caused by the coronavirus epidemic worries fairground people.

"We're going to block the city," warns one of them.

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For many Strasbourg residents, Christmas will not have the same flavor this year.

Due to the rebound in the coronavirus epidemic, city mayor Jeanne Barseghian announced on Thursday that the city was giving up its traditional Christmas market, removing the usual 300 chalets.

The animations will however be maintained, just like the traditional illuminations.

In the streets of the "capital of Christmas", feelings are mixed, between relative disappointment among the inhabitants, and concern of the showmen facing the financial consequences of this decision. 

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"Will there be lights in Strasbourg?" Asks Élise, worried.

If the little Strasbourg resident is reassured by the positive response, her grandmother, she still shares her disappointment.

"It's not bad that there are lights and the tree. And we can walk," she recognizes at the microphone of Europe 1. But, she adds, "the craftsmen, the stands, the atmosphere will be missing all the same. All those little extras, Christmas cakes, everything to celebrate with us, in Alsace ". 

"We are going to block the city", warns a fairground

The party ... and the turnover of artisans, hoteliers and other fairgrounds.

At home, worry dominates, as for Sassi Ben Mourdi, whose family has been present at the Strasbourg Christmas market for four generations.

"We are going to block the city. We will do whatever it takes," he warns.

And to continue: "Who says no Christmas market, says no Christmas in Strasbourg".

The Christmas market, "it's our livelihood. Me, it's my life. It's taking bread out of my son's mouth, and I can't let that happen," says Sassi Ben Mourdi.

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 Normally, with its two million visitors, the Christmas market represents 200 million euros in economic benefits.