[Global Times Special Correspondent in Germany and France, Aoki Yao Meng] “Christmas in previous years was a demonstration of the beautiful lifestyle of the West, but the new crown pneumonia epidemic made this year’s holiday a nightmare in the West.” German sociologist Marcel Hasen A few days ago, I sighed to the reporter of the Global Times.
Recently, reporters have visited many German cities. Unlike the Christmas season in previous years, what I feel this year is only deserted, which is a bit sad.
Although the trees on the street are still covered with bright decorations and the Christmas tree stands in the city center as usual, the bustling scene of previous years is no longer and the shops are closed early.
"This is the most painful Christmas season we have had since the end of World War II." Johanna, an 86-year-old retired teacher who lives in Berlin, told the Global Times reporter. Although Germany was in ruins immediately after World War II, people could Visiting relatives and friends, setting off firecrackers and fireworks, although life is not rich, but still free, but now it is just the opposite.
On social media, people in various European countries have expressed their disappointment over the inability to celebrate Christmas this year.
Mira from France said that the family of four originally planned to go to Australia for a holiday, but now even domestic travel is restricted.
The young Dutchman Voter wrote that when he works from home, his life has become a "two points and one line" between his home and the supermarket.
Turning on the TV, he could not escape the "epidemic bombing", and he was very nervous.
France began to lift the "foot ban" this Tuesday, but implemented a curfew from 20 o'clock to 6 o'clock the next day.
For this year's Christmas season, many local media have described it as "unprecedented".
The main streets across France are lit up as usual, trying to create a Christmas and New Year atmosphere.
This year, the Paris City Government specially arranged large-scale Christmas tree lighting exhibitions in Place de la Concorde and Place de la Bastille, and the Champs Elysées was also decorated with red lights.
The French are still very traditional in shopping. Although the epidemic has made online shopping hot, locals still prefer to go to the store and choose directly when the opportunity arises. Therefore, the commercial streets do not appear too deserted.
A person in charge of the "Lafayette" shopping mall told the "Global Times" reporter that he expects local consumers to "compensate" the losses caused by the inability of international tourists to shop.
Perhaps the most miserable part of the epidemic prevention is the catering industry. Mr. Li, who opened a Chinese restaurant in Vienna, told a reporter from the Global Times that before the Christmas season to the New Year was the best time for their business of the year, this year's revenue was hit hard. However, he has also been thinking of ways to deal with it: Starting in September, restaurants have started to make set meals and let employees deliver the prepared "semi-processed" meals to customers' homes every day. Recently, Mr. Li also plans to launch a "Christmas dinner", such as Beijing roast duck set meal.