Christmas in Austria Brings Little Cheer

Despite the cheerful hashtag and images of snow-covered villages, this year's Christmas season in Austria has been far from merry. With the coronavirus pandemic still raging, many Austrians have had to spend the holidays alone or with a much smaller group than usual. Even those who are able to gather with family members must do so while adhering to strict social distancing guidelines. The restrictions have also put a damper on traditional holiday activities such as ice skating, sledding, and caroling. Local businesses that depend on tourism for their livelihoods have suffered greatly due to the lack of visitors during what is usually one of their busiest times of year. And even those who are able to find work are often doing so at reduced hours or wages due to the economic downturn caused by the pandemic. For many Austrians, this Christmas season has been a time of sorrow rather than joy. The holiday cheer that usually fills the air is nowhere to be found as people struggle just to make ends meet and keep themselves safe from infection. Though it may be some time before things return to normal, we can only hope that next year will bring more festive cheer for all Austrians.