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Since the collapse of communism in 1989, bargain hunters from
all over Europe have been attracted to the Czech Republic
by the cheap authentic local crafts on sale throughout the
country. Beautiful Bohemian crystal can be snapped up for
a song, and locally mined gem stones such as garnets, rubies
and amber make relatively inexpensive gifts for the folks
back home. These elegant wares are not to everyone's taste,
and over the last decade a new product has swamped the Czech
souvenir market: the good old garden gnome.
Gnomes, elves and fairy-kind have an undisputed place in
European folklore, but garden figurines aren't native to the
Czech Republic. Their popularity in neighbouring southern
Germany encouraged local entrepreneurs to go into competition
with the Bavarian gnome moguls. The cost of labour is cheaper
than in Germany, which means that the 'little people' can
be produced, and therefore sold, at vastly reduced rates -
much to the delight to German and Austrian kitsch lovers.
An estimated four million gnomes currently reside in the sub-urban
gardens of southern Germany, many of which are of Czech descent.
Master Craftsmen
German gnome-makers have been in business since the 1870s,
catering to a clientele that just can't seem to get enough
of the cheeky ceramic fellows. At the Griebel gnome-factory
in Graefenroda, Eastern Germany, more than 300 different gnome
characters are hand-crafted with care. From gnome fishermen
to musicians, sportsmen and farmers, each gnome comes with
a certificate of authenticity.
Like a Rolling Gnome
When their Czech counterparts began to be produced in 1992,
German manufacturers were furious at the copyright infringement.
Border officials would stop and search any lorries they suspected
of harbouring contraband gnomes. Gnome immigration restrictions
have now been relaxed however (by the Gnome Office) which
is good news for the gnome lover on a budget but could spell
disaster for the German market. The Germans proclaim that
their gnomes are far superior in quality, but lets face it
if you're really bothered about whether your souvenir is the
genuine article you'd be better off with the crystal and gem-stones
after all.
Where to Bag a Bargain
Whether you're looking to indulge a life-long passion for
kitsch on the cheap or are seeking the perfect gift for a
relative with a taste by-pass and aren't bothered about your
gnome's nationality, head for the Czech/German border (Gnome
Man's Land). Roadside stalls stock a bizarre mix of merchandise:
cheap cigarettes, alcohol and gnomes at vastly reduced prices. |
