The Brno-střed district, the main organiser of the Christmas markets, successfully held an electronic auction for food and drink vendors ahead of the upcoming festive season. A total of 31 million crowns was raised, the highest amount ever. The town hall will invest the money from the auction in improving the markets and cultural program.
Preparations for Christmas in Brno begin several months in advance. This includes a public electronic auction to ensure that vendor spaces are allocated transparently and efficiently. This year, interested parties competed for a total of 55 spots, located at the Vegetable Market (Zelný trh), near the Jošt statue on the Moravian Square (Moravské náměstí) and partly on the Freedom Square (náměstí Svobody), where five spots were available. The total proceed from the auction exceeded 31 million crowns, excluding VAT — 10 million more than last year.
„Christmas in Brno is great publicity for the city. The results of the auction demonstrate extraordinary interest from both visitors and vendors, and we greatly appreciate their trust. We will therefore invest the proceeds in developing the markets to make them even more attractive to everyone. In cooperation with artist Kateřina Šedá, for example, we are planning to expand the markets to the Roman Square (Římské náměstí), improve visitor facilities and strengthen the cultural programme, which will feature performances by renowned Czech and Slovak bands,” said Ludmila Oulehlová (ANO political party), the first deputy mayor of Brno-střed.
The round bar on the Jošt Statue on the Moravian Square (Moravské náměstí) attracted the most interest at the auction. Sold for CZK 3.4 million excluding VAT, it was the most expensive stand at this year’s Christmas markets in Brno. Another new addition to the auction was a viewing-point beverage stand on the Freedom Square (náměstí Svobody), which sold for CZK 1 million excluding VAT. Stands selling drinks on the Vegetable Market (Zelný trh) also fetched over CZK 1 million excluding VAT. These high prices are a great success, especially since drink prices at the Brno Christmas markets have remained stable in recent years, increasing by no more than the rate of inflation. Therefore, people do not have to worry that higher prices will be reflected in the markets.
The city district is offering a total of 160 sales points, which is an increase of ten on last year. Most of these are located at the Vegetable Market (Zelný trn), followed by the Jošt Statue and Bašty Street near the main train station, with the newly added location at the Roman Square (Římské náměstí). Almost half of these will be occupied by craftsmen, who have had a fixed rental price for several years. This amounts to CZK 45,000, or CZK 65,000 for craftsmen without a traditional production method.
Traders are also expected at the markets. The town hall selects them based on their bid amounts. Charitable and non-profit organisations are in a separate category and are provided with stands free of charge. More than 60 charitable projects and organisations will receive support this year, including the Daruj kelímek (Donate the Cup) charity collection.
“The Christmas markets are fully financed by vendor rentals. Thanks to this, we can once again offer most of the attractions and the entire cultural programme to the public free of charge. We are also designing new hot drink cups, which were popular last year thanks to their original crocodile motif. A total of 152,000 cups were kept by visitors,” said Deputy Mayor Ludmila Oulehlová, adding that the city district had recently received a CZK 3 million subsidy from the European Union to operate the returnable system.
Christmas in Brno will begin on 14 November at the Vegetable Market (Zelný trh), Moravian Square (Moravské náměstí) and the Bašty terrace in the Bašty Street. Later the Freedom Square (náměstí Svobody), Dominican Square (Dominikánské náměstí) and Roman Square (Římské náměstí) will also join in. The markets will last until 31 December in most places. The Christmas trees will be lit on 21 November. This will be accompanied by the Gustav Brom Radio Big Band.
