A kindergarten in Austria has announced it will replace the beloved St. Martin’s Day celebration with a non-religious “Moon and Star Festival” so as not to offend the large migrant community.
Instead of the customary lantern parade honoring St. Martin, the St. Pölten kindergarten will instead feature a “moon bear” character to promote themes of sharing and empathy.
On Nov. 11, Austria honors St. Martin of Tours, the patron saint of soldiers, beggars, and vintners. He was a 4th-century Roman soldier who is believed to have shared half his cloak with a beggar, and the religious festival symbolizes generosity within the Roman Catholic Church.
Parents of the children have argued that sidelining Austrian and Christian traditions risks eroding the cultural heritage they wish to pass down to the next generation.
Politicians have also criticized the move, with local councilor Martin Antauer saying it treats Austrian customs with contempt.
“A moon and stars festival instead of a lantern festival in honor of Saint Martin. This is how St. Martin is being trampled underfoot,” he said, as cited by the Exxpress news outlet.
He suggested that the move was made in “anticipatory obedience” to avoid offending non-Christian families, stating, “We certainly won’t be embarrassed about our traditions, as much as my name is Martin.”
The backlash mirrors last year’s controversy in Plainfeld, Salzburg, previously reported by Remix News, where another kindergarten barred Santa Claus, citing sensitivity to the diverse backgrounds of migrant children.
“The management claimed diversity and cultural differences as well as some children being afraid of the figure, (Santa)” according to the Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper.
In response to parental complaints, the ban was eventually reversed with support from state governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner, who advocated for preserving Austrian customs.
While Austrian parents insist on keeping cultural traditions in the curriculum, education authorities maintain that the revised theme for the St. Martin celebration is more accessible for young children from diverse backgrounds, particularly with the “moon bear” as a figure. They argue that it better conveys universal themes of empathy and consideration.
The debate has reignited concerns that efforts to accommodate diversity are coming at the cost of local traditions.
