“Christmas will not be a normal celebration this year,” warns Olivier Véran. But what will happen to Saint-Nicolas? We can imagine that from his Parisian offices, the Minister of Health does not care much about the Bishop of Myre who, however, has long embodied the spirit of these festivals in eastern France much more intensely than the Santa Claus. And still remains extremely lively in the hearts of the little people of Lorraine.
For ten years in Nancy, where the tradition is secular, we have even made a festive heritage of this meeting with the great red man with the magnanimous butt.
However, the question today is whether or not the character will be welcome in the city this year?
Already, it was necessary to give up his parade. Whose “mass” effect was immediately incompatible with the health crisis. Then it was announced that the Saint-Nicolas markets would not see the light of day either. There was still hope that the spirit of celebration could reign thanks to artistic strolls. Which have the great advantage of not generating a crowd, since the actors, acrobats and musicians move non-stop.
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Very slim hope
In 2015, the day after the terrorist attack of November 13, this formula had also saved the Saint-Nicolas holidays precisely for this ability to reach many spectators without crowding them.
“But it goes without saying that in the current state of confinement, we will not be able to consider maintaining these events”, notes Bertrand Masson, Assistant to Culture who quickly left his calendar. Containment was in fact announced until December 1. But the big weekend of Saint-Nicolas in Nancy is scheduled for December 5 and 6. Which leaves hope, no matter how small. “We therefore said to ourselves that we should not rush to make a decision”, continues the elected. “President Macron has planned to clarify things in a fortnight. I guess then we’ll be able to see it more clearly. “
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Large tree maintained
The hypothesis of a total cancellation is therefore in the order of the possible, even the probable. And in Nancy’s memory, it would be a first. “Because, indeed, even in 2015, the party had been saved. But precisely that year, from a difficulty, the city services had managed to make an opportunity. We can hope so again this year! Exceptions, exceptionally, to postpone for example a week or two the weekend of the festivities if the pace of deconfinement allowed.
“Whatever the case, we will maintain the tree in Place Stan, we are continuing to install light decorations, as well as the assembly of animated artistic windows,” undertakes Bertrand Masson. “So that even if the confinement continues throughout December, the city is not completely extinct. Keeping in mind that Saint Nicholas being a very old man, it might not be very reasonable to bring him out in the crowd at this time …
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