Our online discussion forum: your voice counts!

Our online discussion forum: your voice counts!

In a kindergarten in the region, the decision to reject the traditional figure of St. Martin in favor of the moon bear has caused excitement. Many parents and educators are horrified by this step, which is seen as a bitter loss of an important cultural practice.

The kindergarten management justified the measure with the desire to put more modern and including topics in the foreground. According to those responsible, the moon bear as a new figure should offer the children a new perspective on compassion and friendship. Parents, on the other hand, criticize that Saint Martin, who has been connected to the legend of the sharing of coats for centuries, is now sacrificed.

reactions of the parents

The discussions are hot on social media and on parents' evenings. Many feel departure from the traditional figure as a loss of the identity of the kindergarten, since the lantern festival and the stories around St. Martin play a central role in the annual calendar. One mother said: "For our children, the Martinsfest was a highlight and now it is simply replaced by something else."

The kindergarten management faces the challenge of taking the parents' concerns seriously and implementing their new ideas at the same time. Some supporters of the moon bear see the initiative positively and hope that the new figure will give the children valuable lessons about social responsibility and helpfulness.

The debate emphasizes the questions of how traditions can be preserved or transformed in a changing social environment. In the past few days, critics have called on to rethink the decision and maintain the tradition of St. Martin.

It remains to be seen how those responsible will react to the predominantly negative reactions and whether a compromise that meets both sides may be found. The discussion impressively shows how strongly cultural customs and the associated memories are anchored in the community.

For more information on this topic See the current reporting on www.krone.at .