Press releases

In memory of the victims of the attack on the Christmas market in Magdeburg, Aachen City Hall is wearing mourning flags today. Lord Mayor Sibylle Keupen: "The news of the brutal attack on the Christmas market in Magdeburg has shaken me to the core. My thoughts are with the victims, their families and also with the emergency services."

A place of worship has been set up in St. Foillan's Church to mark the act by the Light of Peace from Bethlehem. Cathedral Provost Rolf-Peter Cremer and Pastor Timotheus Eller are inviting people to go to the neighboring Cathedral and St. Foillan churches during the remainder of the Christmas market to find a moment of peace there. In St. Foillan, there will also be the opportunity to light a candle in memory of the victims of Magdeburg.

Annekathrin Grehling, the councillor responsible for security, explains: "During the night, the question arose as to whether we should close the Aachen Christmas market in light of this shocking event. Together, however, we, the organizers, the police and the city decided to keep the Christmas market open as planned up to and including Monday, albeit with additional, increased security measures." All access routes have been walked again, checked and further secured. The presence of the municipal forces will also be further increased.

Lord Mayor Sibylle Keupen: "Even if there can be no absolute security despite all this, we want to give everyone the space to deal with the events in their own way and to organize the days before Christmas as they wish for their families, children and friends."