The long tables in the Hofbräuhaus are festively set: red napkins lie on the white tablecloths, small fir arrangements provide a splash of color. The chandeliers shine above everything. The atmosphere in the wood-paneled ballroom on the Platzl is both contemplative and excited. Rosi Müller (last name changed) cannot imagine being anywhere else on Christmas Eve. She wears a red, velvet jacket and an FC Bayern hat that easily passes for a Santa hat.
The 65-year-old says she likes the music and the celebration best. “And the people are always nice and friendly.” She has been a regular at the Hofbräuhaus on Christmas Eve for three decades. “I don’t go anywhere else,” she says.
Rosi Müller received the invitation to the celebration from the “Komm” tea room. She lived on the streets for more than seven years and knows the homeless assistance providers from that time. Since May 10, 1999, Rosi can remember the day exactly, she has lived in her own apartment. “I’m really proud that I’ve had it for so long.” Nevertheless, she comes here every year so that she won’t be alone at Christmas.
For 73 years, the Catholic Men’s Welfare Association (kmfv) has been inviting Munich citizens in difficult situations and without their own living space to the Hofbräuhaus on Christmas Eve. “This is probably the biggest Christmas party in Germany on this day,” says Michael Auer from kmfv. This year around 100 volunteers are hosting almost 600 guests.
It is important to him that people come together on Christmas Eve, says Auer. Because on this evening, when many families celebrate Christmas together, eat and open presents, everyone should feel safe – even if they don’t have their own place to retreat to or would be alone at Christmas.
Celebrating Christmas at the Hofbräuhaus is a tradition for Rosi Müller (r.). This year she brought a companion to the festival.
(Photo: Stephan Rumpf)
Cookies are on the tables at the beginning of the evening, the volunteers bring coffee and drinks and “The Holly Rocks” provide the musical atmosphere for the celebration. They sing “Ave Maria”, “Jingle Bells” and “A Little Peace”. By the time “Merry Christmas Everyone” is heard, many visitors clap in time, and at some point a polonaise forms through the room.
Wolfgang Bertold (last name changed) was most looking forward to this kind of entertainment. He got a card at the entrance at the last minute. In fact, there are still free seats in the hall, although some people didn’t show up despite being invited. So lucky for Bertold. If he hadn’t been able to get in, he would probably have looked for a place outside somewhere, he says, because he lives on the street in Munich. Bertold’s long beard bobs when he speaks slowly and quietly. He’s been there a few times at Christmas, for entertainment, “and to make sure you don’t get lonely today.”
Wolfgang Bertold was most looking forward to the conversation. And don’t be alone today.
(Photo: Stephan Rumpf)
At the Christmas party, all guests receive a surprise gift. In recent years there has been “good stuff” in there, says Bertold. Today that is a towel, a thermos flask, a cell phone charging cable, cigarettes, a 50 euro voucher from Penny, a document case and the backpack in which the gifts are packed. They are used by the Advent calendar for good works South German newspaper Sponsored. The evening is also financed by donations from kmfv members as well as grants from the Archbishop’s Ordinariate of the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising and the state capital of Munich. The State Hofbräuhaus in Munich and the Munich Transport Company are also supporting the event.
Nobody should be alone on Christmas Eve
Almost 10,000 people are homeless in Munich. Most of them live in accommodation facilities, emergency accommodation, accommodation for refugees and housing projects, many in shared rooms without their own retreat. The social department estimates that around 500 people live on the streets without shelter. Like Wolfgang Bertold, many of them would be alone in the cold at Christmas.
The feast that evening: beef cheeks with napkin dumplings and market vegetables. Volunteers bring it to the tables in the Hofbräuhaus.
(Photo: Stephan Rumpf)
Beef cheeks with napkin dumplings and market vegetables are served this Christmas Eve. A real feast, says Rosi Müller. She particularly likes the tender meat, but also the fennel and celery, “they are still so crunchy”. She packs a piece of meat for the next day.
Sarah Schmidbauer and the other volunteers also bring the food to the tables that evening. It will be the fifth time she has been involved here on December 24th. When she talked about her volunteer work, many people said how selfless she was, says Schmidbauer. “But then it’s self-centered,” she replies, “because it’s the best Christmas for me too.” The 29-year-old wanted to become less dependent on family celebrations and was looking for an opportunity to do volunteer work at Christmas. She loves the atmosphere here, she says: the excitement at the beginning, the exuberance at the end.
Cardinal Reinhard Marx provides contemplative words.
(Photo: Felix Hörhager/dpa)
The fact that the atmosphere is actually relaxed at the end is probably due to the words of Cardinal Reinhard Marx. Many of those gathered here in this room have not had it easy this year, the Archbishop of Munich and Freising begins his speech. “But today is a day when we say: We are alive!” None of us are superfluous, says Marx, that is Jesus’ message at Christmas.
The Archbishop of Munich and Freising enjoys the menu together with those in need.
(Photo: Felix Hörhager/dpa)
After his words, applause and cheers ring through the room. Many listen carefully, some film the bishop. “Our lives are not always so successful,” says Marx. Many were plagued by personal hardships and many people around the world suffered from wars. That’s precisely why it’s important to come together and celebrate Christmas. The band then starts “Silent Night,” the Christmas classic, and some sing along. And then the party really starts.