The management does not want to put up a Christmas tree “in a spirit of religious freedom”, headlines the regional newspaper BILD
By Ivan Dimitrov
A decision by a kindergarten in the Lockstedt district of the large northern German city of Hamburg not to put up a Christmas tree this year “so that no child feels left out” was reported in a major German daily and quickly became a national topic of comments. It caused a wave of protests and negative comments towards the management of the children’s center, which was forced to defend itself. According to the private school, they have only put up a Christmas tree three times in the past ten years because they “don’t want to be confined to one religious tradition”, but this didn’t cause any backlash until this year, when there was a “wave of backlash” against them. of hatred’, as they put it.
As a sign of protest, near the kindergarten in Lokstedt district, unknown persons have secretly placed a Christmas tree in a place accessible to people. Although the management of the neighborhood kindergarten decided that, out of “respect for religious freedom”, the traditional Christmas tree would not be placed in a prominent place, some Christians violated the order and put up the Christmas tree at night, decorated it and even put presents under it. Also as a protest, shopping centers for Christmas decorations have sent Christmas trees to the children’s institution.
The case was also commented on by public figures and politicians. The former Minister of Agriculture Julia Klöckner wrote that the children’s institution in question should be consistent in its policy and continue to work during the Christmas holidays. Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder also commented on the scandal: “This is absurd! Don’t we have other problems? There should be a Christmas tree at Christmas!”.
It is noted that this and similar decisions are part of the so-called “cancel culture”, that they are unacceptable for a multicultural city like Hamburg, which claims to include and represent the most diverse cultural traditions. “The Christmas tree is part of the secular Christmas, not so much a religious symbol,” says one of the comments. “Religious people will celebrate Christmas without Christmas decorations, but the secular Christmas that is part of our culture is unthinkable without this symbolism.”
There is no information whether the city authorities will leave the Christmas tree or remove it so as not to annoy other believers and non-believers. According to some media, the matter would be discussed in the municipal council.
Short address of the original publication: https://dveri.bg/d84ua, December 11, 2023.
