The secret of Dresden’s Christmas season has been revealed: Ruth Liebscher is the 32nd Dresden Stollen Girl. During the upcoming Advent and Christmas season, the 18-year-old will represent the artisanal tradition of the Dresden Christmas stollen—and in doing so, she is also carrying on a family tradition. Ruth Liebscher grew up in a family of bakers and has been familiar with the craft not only through her training but since childhood.
Her parents, Tina and Karsten Liebscher, run the Liebscher Bakery, which was founded in 1970. “I grew up in a bakery—the scent of fresh pastries has been a part of my life since childhood,” says Ruth Liebscher. Her father taught her early on what true craftsmanship means and how much heart and soul goes into it. The fact that she can now share this passion with others through her apprenticeship and as a Dresden Stollen Girl makes her “incredibly proud.”
However, Ruth Liebscher is not training at her parents’ bakery, but at the Claus Bakery & Pastry Shop in Neusörnewitz near Coswig. The business was founded in 1985 and, according to the Schutzverband Dresdner Stollen, is known for its masterful baking craftsmanship and regional ties. Coswig is part of the defined protected area of the Dresden Stollen Protection Association. This means that the training company also fulfills an important requirement for the production of the Dresden Christmas stollen: The protected designation stands not only for a specific recipe, but also for origin, artisanal production, and defined quality criteria. Stollen Girl
For Ruth Liebscher, this brings things full circle. Even as a child, she was fascinated by the Stollen Girl’s dress. “The fact that I now get to embody this tradition myself and represent the Dresden Christmas Stollen still feels unbelievable.” She is especially looking forward to the coming weeks, meeting people, and experiencing the atmosphere of the Advent season in Dresden.
A Balanced Approach to Sports: Dancing
In addition to her training as a baker, the 18-year-old has a rather unusual second passion: competitive dance. At the Arriba Dance Company in Coswig, she competes in the world of competitive dance, specializing in show dance. She proved—along with her team—that she possesses considerable talent and discipline at a competition in Milan last year. The dance group became world champions there—an emotional highlight for Liebscher, one that also ties in with her new role. During her presentation in her Stollen dress, she will therefore be accompanied by dancers from her team. For her, the new Stollen season begins, in a sense, with a dance-inspired flourish.
Ruth Liebscher certainly won’t be bored in the coming weeks. The official presentation marks the start of a busy period with more than 50 events throughout Germany. These include media appearances, attending the Stollen inspections conducted by the Schutzverband, events centered around the Dresden Christstollen, and numerous encounters with Stollen fans. Until Christmas, the Stollen Girl will thus be at the center of public attention surrounding the Dresden Original.
One of the most important events is the Dresden Stollen Festival on Saturday, December 5, 2026. At the 31st Dresden Stollen Festival, Ruth Liebscher, as patroness, will lead the parade through Dresden’s historic Old Town and then participate in the ceremony surrounding the giant stollen. For her, the festival holds special family significance: “I’ve known the fascination with the parades since I was little, thanks to my dad, and that’s why I’ve already been to a few Stollen Festivals.” Now being there herself as patron is a “huge highlight” for her and her family.
For the Dresden Stollen Preservation Society, too, the selection is more than just a personnel matter. Andreas Wippler, the Society’s chairman, points out that the presentation of the Stollen Girl each year serves as a visible sign marking the start of the new stollen season. The Stollen Girl embodies the connection between centuries-old traditions and the younger generation. The fact that Ruth is already familiar with the baking trade through her family background, whilst also bringing discipline and stage presence as an athlete, makes her a fitting ambassador.
Karoline Marschallek, Managing Director of the Dresden Stollen Protection Association, also emphasises the professional aspect of the selection. The Stollen Girl is far more than just a likeable symbolic figure. She represents the region’s approximately 100 bakeries and patisseries that produce the Dresden Christstollen in accordance with the association’s guidelines. Before her selection, Ruth therefore had to demonstrate, amongst other things, that she met the candidate criteria. Ultimately, she impressed the panel with her understanding of the craft and her likeable manner. She is able to convey the association’s values through a blend of tradition and dynamism.
The fact that Ruth Liebscher is completing her apprenticeship at the Claus Bakery & Patisserie is also a source of delight for its managing director, Lukas Claus. “The fact that this season’s Stollen Girl comes from our business fills the whole team with pride,” he said. An apprenticeship in the baking trade requires not only specialist knowledge but, above all, enthusiasm for the products and empathy when dealing with customers. Ruth possesses these qualities, says Claus. The business intends to support her in her role and is looking forward to kicking off the Stollen season together with her.
