



Thousands gather in Frankfurt in solidarity with Ukraine and against Russia’s invasion, Feb.26, 2022.

While some German christmas markets have been called off last-minute due to the the spiralling Covid-19 infection rate, Frankfurt’s traditional christmas market was opened Nov.22, 2021. Hot alcoholic beverages such as mulled wine and hot apple wine (a Frankfurt specialty), baked marzipan mixes like Brenten and Bethmännchen and Quetschemännchen (figures made out of prunes and nuts) are sold among lots of other things. The event’s history has been traced back to the 14th century.

A hiker takes a selfie after reaching the summit of the Kalmit, at 672 meters (2204 ft) the highest peak in the Pfälzerwald (Palatinate Forest) in southwestern Germany, Oct. 26.