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01. 12. 09. - 15:15

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01. 12. 09. - 15:15

Anti-Santa Claus group wins support of thousands

By Thomas Hochwarter

Thousands of Austrians have joined an online campaign against Santa Claus.

More than 70 fan groups have been set up by anti-Santa Facebook users backing the "Pro-Christkind" initiative which wants a ban on the American figure of Santa Claus in favour of the "Christkind".

They have called on their fellow countrymen to not let "commercial American traditions" dominate Christmas festivities. The group said they would support parents telling their children the "Christkind" – the figure of a blonde angel child with a long tradition in Austria, Switzerland and Germany – delivered presents, adding they would award shops and Christmas market stallholders for banning Santa Claus and his reindeer sledge.

The "Pro-Christkind" campaigners have been active for several years, but this is the first time they have had success with a campaign as latest figure show that 69 per cent of Austrians who are online use social network platforms like Facebook or Twitter.

The group even took to the streets in Graz in protest last weekend while demonstrations to be held in Vienna are in the planning stage.

The Old Viennese Christmas Market at Vienna’s Freyung Square could be one of the first businesses to be honoured by the initiative after managers decided not to use any decorations featuring Father Christmas or Santa Claus because they were not "traditional enough".

Christmas favourites like "Jingle Bells" or chart hits such as "Last Christmas" have also been struck off the market’s music playlist. Instead, an "authentic musical programme" featuring choirs and brass ensembles is performing at the market – located at Vienna’s city centre – everyday.

>> www.pro-christkind.at

Austrian Times

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