The symbolic importance of Christkindlmarkt
This paragraph is a key one Americans have read for decades in popular books about Germany:
"The Christkindlmarkt is truly a dream come true. A massive fair completely dedicated to the merriment of the Christmas season. A tradition Germany is most proud of, and one that will probably continue for centuries to come."
It would seem that the attack on Breitscheidplatz was as purposeful an assault on the core of Germanness, as the September 11 attack was on the core, and symbols of the American way.