Minsk schools banned not only Santa and foreign hits, but also Christmas songs. Class teachers of the capital’s schools received an order from the city leadership banning their use during festive events.
Euroradio reports this.
At the same time, it is recommended to emphasize Belarusian traditions, but it is not specified what exactly the officials mean.
The message does not indicate the date of distribution of the document to Minsk schools, nor its authorship. Euroradio provides the full text of the message received by the teachers (the style and spelling of the original have been preserved):
Dear class teachers, instructions from the city leadership:
at matinees, musical events, corporate events FORBIDDEN SANTA CLAUS, Christmas and English songs (such as Jingle Bells)
WE USE: our famous songs and our fairy-tale characters.
Emphasis on Belarusian traditions.
The same goes for Christmas decorations!
We also ask you to pay attention to the organization of outdoor New Year and Christmas events and excursions.
Please take this into account.
It is noteworthy that the text of the message refers not only to the ban on English-language songs, but also on all Christmas songs.
In this case, Belarusian traditions probably mean the pagan Zyuzya and the Russian Father Frost and the Snow Maiden, writes Nasha Niva.
Earlier, the Minsk City Executive Committee sent instructions for New Year’s decorations to the capital’s trade and public catering organizations. Now only “elements of Slavic origin” are welcomed in the decor. It was also reported that Minsk trade and public catering organizations received instructions from local authorities on how to decorate New Year’s decorations.
Source: Racurs
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