On December 6, the Ambassador H.E. Manfred Ritter Mautner von Markhof with I.E. Friederike Mautner von Markhof hosted the St. Nicholas Day reception in Tallinn for for bishops and clergy, the diplomatic corps, state and city representatives, volunteers and people of goodwill.
The Ambassador was hosting a St. Nicholas Day reception for the second year in a row to celebrate the preceding blessing of the nativity scenes and the opening of the Christmas Street in Tallinn’s historic Old Town.
The tradition of making Nativity Scenes is very much loved and popular in many parts of the world. In 2015, when eight centuries passed since Livonia was named the Land of Mary, the Land of Mary Educational Society initiated the revival of this old Christmas tradition. At that time, nearly 50 nativity scenes were made in schools and in many families, which were displayed in the windows of cafes, shops, craft workshops and school buildings on Vene Street in Tallinn’s Old Town during the Advent season.
This year, Maarjamaa Haridusselts, Collegium Educations Revaliae and the Tallinn City Council also opened the traditional Nativity Scene Street in front of the Town Hall on St. Nicholas Day, December 6th.
A trumpet trio performed and the Archbishop of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church Urmas Viilma, the Bishop of Tallinn of the Estonian Catholic Church Philippe Jourdan and the Deputy Mayor Karl Sander Kase said the opening words.
After the opening, a procession was formed on the Town Hall Square, in front of which Mary and Joseph walked with a donkey, sheep and the children accompanying them, bishops, the diplomatic corps and representatives of the city.
The procession moved through the Old Town to the courtyard of Collegium Educations Revaliae where small Nicolos were given to all children on behalf of the Embassy of the Order of Malta in Estonia.
Afterwards, all guests were invited to the Ambassador’s reception, where mulled wine, Lebkuchen, Stollen and snacks were served.
In his speech, the Ambassador recalled the wonderful story of Saint Nicholas, who showed perfect love for his fellow man. He also thanked those present for the pleasant cooperation in the past year, and wished them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
The guests left the reception with hearts filled with joy and also took home small chocolate Santas as gifts.
The Nativity Scene Street will remain open until January 7th.
