The Turkish trader who’s hit ‘different level of happiness’ at Chester Christmas Market

A Turkish cafe owner has spoken of hitting a “different level of happiness” by branching out with a stall on the city’s Christmas market. Adem Yilmaz, from the Pars Kahve Turkish eatery and shop, on Watergate Row, has praised the Christmas market during his first ever festive season there.

Adem has been in the UK for more than three years and opened up Pars Kahve with his wife, Holly, in the city centre last August. This year they decided to take a stall at the popular Christmas market for the first time – and Adem said he was absolutely loving being a part of the festivities. 

The Pars Bazaar stall is a vibrant display of unique handknits in all kinds of colours and patterns. On the wall there is everything from bubble towels to Christmas stockings, as well as Turkish coffee and leather products neatly laid out on the table in front.

Adem told CheshireLive: “I quite like Christmas in the European culture. We don’t really celebrate Christmas in Turkey. To us, Christmas doesn’t have any meaning. 

“But here, I think it’s a lovely way of celebrating the festive season with friends and family. It’s a lovely way of meeting with the people we don’t really see every day.”

Explaining what he was bringing to the vibrant buzzing market this year, he said: “What we sell is mainly handmade, recycled, and environmentally friendly. Our main concept is offering people handmade products to introduce our culture.

The Pars Bazaar is one of a number of stalls at this year’s Christmas market which are offering produce from around the globe. Other stalls offering a glimpse into the life and culture of different countries include Garlix and More, which offer traditional Spanish garlic grater plates, amongst other colourful ceramics.

Adem believes in the importance of being introduced to and immersed in new cultures. 

“Diversity should always be part of our living space. We should always be open to other cultures. It’s an important part in seeing things a different way. It opens our mind up a lot,” he said.

Adem explained that, while he doesn’t celebrate Christmas, he enjoys embracing the festivities that take place at this time of year.

Adem’s warm personality certainly shines through amid the freezing December weather which has left many struggling to keep warm. It’s clear from seeing Adem in action on the festive stall that he is always happy to chat to customers and to spread the word about Turkish culture. 

When asked why people should brave the cold to visit the market, he said: “I think the Christmas markets are lovely. I’ve liked it every time I’ve been here. But especially being inside and a part of it, it puts a different level of happiness for myself.

“People should visit because it lifts you up, walking around and seeing what all these people offer you. It’s a good way of seeing how people work hard, even in the cold weather, to make you a little bit happy.

“I think it’s a perfect way of making people get together, meeting up and talking, even with someone you’ve never seen before.”

Catch the Christmas market before it’s gone

As the Christmas market runs into its final week of trading, it’s clear to see that Chester is absolutely buzzing this festive season. Strolling through Chester at this time of year feels almost like something out of a movie.

The four main streets are lit by twinkling fairy lights overhead and there are colourful window displays of Santa and the season’s various characters for people to enjoy. And it’s good to see so many shoppers, locals and tourists alike, taking in the city’s Christmas costume with a seasonal latte.

At the heart of the city’s festivities lies the Christmas market at Town Hall Square, which this year celebrates its 10th anniversary. Quaint in comparison to its Liverpool and Manchester counterparts, the market still provides ample atmosphere and festive cheer to draw a large number of visitors from Chester and further afield.

Depending on where you’re stood, you might hear an acoustic rendition of the Cure’s Friday I’m In Love coming from the Christmas Gin & Rum Bar. Elsewhere, the individual vendors play the quintessential Christmas hits from their speakers, including Michael Bublé, Mariah Carey and the legendary Eartha Kitt.

A wander between the chalet-themed stalls, is a feast for all the senses, with a symphony of smells coming from a whole host of stalls, from a comforting Korma emanating from Eat Indian to fresh focaccia from Boulangerie Cecil. There is something from all around the world for hungry revellers to enjoy.

The food, however, is just the beginning of the magic for all who visit. Chester Christmas market is on until December 21.

This article first appeared in Cheshire Live.



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