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Every year on December 6, Santa Claus visits schools and kindergartens and brings tangerines and chocolate. Above all, it makes the children happy – and not only in Switzerland. But in the Salzburg community of Plainfeld, Austria, the religious custom is over: There will be no Santa Claus in the small town’s kindergarten this year.
The reason for the planned ban: diversity and cultural differences. What exactly that means remains a mystery. Apparently the kindergarten teacher wants to protect children with a migration background against traditions with a Christian connection. In addition, according to the kindergarten management, several children are afraid of the man with a white beard and a red suit, reports the “Salzburger Nachrichten”.
“The plans frightened me”
But Wolfgang Ganzenhuber, mayor of Plainfeld, cannot understand the kindergarten director’s argument. “At least no one has ever complained to me about Santa Claus coming to see the children,” he told the newspaper. Moreover, there are almost no children with a migrant background in the Austrian community’s kindergarten.
The affected parents also do not seem to understand the Sinterklaas ban. “Outraged parents have filed a report with the community. Nobody understood why,” says Ganzenhuber. The mayor himself also has little understanding of the decision: “The plans for the kindergarten really shocked me.”
Parents decide on the future of Sinterklaas
Ganzenhuber then tried to speak to the responsible director of the kindergarten. This allowed him to ensure that Sinterklaas was not definitively banned. Instead, the kindergarten wants parents to vote on December 6 on how to continue the old practice.
The results of the study will be announced in approximately two weeks. But the mayor of Plainfeld is confident: he assumes that the kindergarten will receive a visit from Santa Claus again this year. Naturally, a solution is also found for children who are afraid of the figure. (gs)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
