AFP, published on Saturday 19 December 2020 at 07:40
Christmas shows canceled, trips not recommended, visits to the giant tree at Rockefeller Center timed out: in 2020, in New York, Santa Claus sometimes seems to hold Father Fouettard.
But in Brooklyn’s Dyker Heights neighborhood there is a little festive air that even the pandemic cannot ruin.
Every year, from the end of November, this out-of-the-way New York neighborhood, looking like a pretty suburb with its large detached houses, begins to shine brightly, with illuminations as numerous as they are sophisticated.
Don’t look for the tourist coaches that usually crisscross this historically Italian district: this year, visitors are mostly locals – duly masked.
This does not prevent them from being numerous, delighted to participate in an outdoor activity without great risk of contamination.
“I’m really impressed,” said Eric Steiner, 47, who came from Manhattan with her husband to see the lights in the neighborhood.
“It’s so festive, at a time when things are so uncertain and scary for a lot of people,” he exclaims in front of a house literally wrapped in string lights. “It can be a great way to brighten up the day.”
This tradition of illuminations would have started in the mid-1980s, under the leadership of Lucy Spata, a resident of the neighborhood, who wanted to pay homage to her deceased mother.
His house is barely visible behind a mountain of decorations mixing angels, Santa Claus, the Nutcracker and even a golden throne covered in purple fabric, where the curious can sit and take photos.
“A lot of people are depressed,” says Robert Perez, a guide who runs tours of the neighborhood. “It brings a little laughter and happiness”.
– “For kids” –
Vincent Privitelli, who has lived in the neighborhood for 30 years, usually starts decorating his house in early November, just after Halloween, and it takes him a month to set everything up.
This year, he, who usually disguises himself as Santa’s reindeer as the holidays approach, spoke to his family about whether he would keep the ritual going, with all the events of 2020.
“I said, + You know what? I’m going to do it this year – despite the Covid and all – for the children. + We need something positive.”
For Christine Kong, 31, who came for a walk from the neighboring state of New Jersey, the holiday season “encourages reflection on everything that has happened this year”.
“The wait is different – full of hope for what lies ahead in 2021,” she said. “Because it couldn’t be worse.”
The decorations create traffic jams – parking becomes a nightmare – but they are also a boon for local businesses, far from Manhattan tourist attractions.
Robert Cicero, from John’s Deli, serves cup after cup of hot chocolate to those who want to warm up, sometimes with a sandwich overflowing with tomato and mozzarella.
“I thought it would be a flop, that people wouldn’t come, but I imagine they come because they want to be outside” and get in the party mood, he says.
“Everyone loves Rockefeller Center” and its cult giant tree in Manhattan, he continues.
But tours this year limited to 5 minutes to avoid the crowds make attractions like Dyker Heights more appealing to people who want to stretch their legs and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere.
“Christmas in Dyker Heights … It comes back to that. Who really needs Rockefeller Center?” Says Mr. Privitelli.
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