2023-11-14 07:08:00
In three weeks, the traditional Saint-Nicolas, children’s favorite celebration, will take place. As usual, the great saint will visit the majority of nursery and primary schools despite the controversies associated with this tradition for several years. “We are used to controversies on the subject. Some people worry about whether Saint Nicholas has a cross on his miter or whether he travels by car, even if given his age we could give him that possibility. But no, in our country, Saint-Nicolas still walks and he continues to tour the schools in the town,” jokes Jean Spinette, mayor of Saint-Gilles.
As part of this celebration, the mayor says he is in contact with the Moroccan town of Berkane, known for its production of clementines. “The commune of Saint-Gilles has a partnership with the Moroccan town of Berkane, which is known for its clementines. It’s a way to find a connection with the Muslim community in the town. You should know that many people residing in Saint-Gilles come from this region of Morocco. And I would find it comical to have a Sidi Nicolas who provides clementines to children,” he explains.
”Saint Nicholas Day is a time that children look forward to with great impatience. Above all, it’s a fun moment where they receive treats. For us, Saint Nicholas must be environmentally friendly, respectful of worship and intersectional. Father Fouettard was fired a long time ago.”
Should you let your child believe in Saint Nicholas?
For Julie, a nursery school teacher in Brussels, the religious dimension of Saint-Nicolas ultimately matters little to children. “Like every year, we are going to bring Saint Nicholas to the school for the children. We also have a small budget to buy games for the class. Children always look forward to this moment because they know there will be presents. Ultimately, whether it is Saint Nicholas or Monsieur Julien, for them it changes nothing. The religious dimension is not so important to them.”
An observation shared by the Secular Action Center. “Saint-Nicolas is a holiday which has been largely secularized. It is a form of tradition in which practically no one sees a religious dimension anymore. For us, Saint Nicholas is not at all a priority fight in terms of secularism, any more than the Christmas tree in schools. On the other hand, we have always advocated for a de-Christianization of school holidays,” explains Hervé Parmentier, spokesperson for the association. “When it comes to school holidays, how can we refuse to some what is granted to others? The CAL calls for maximum flexibility in the treatment of absences for religious or cultural reasons.”
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