This is just one popular slogan that emanated from the demonstration in order to save Ježíšek which took place near the seat of the government, Straka´s academy. Ježíšek is the ancient Czech folklore archetype Father Christmas. The movement’s representatives delivered a letter to the Prime Minister in aid of his cause.
This was the second such demonstration; last year it was the current leader of KDU – ČSL, Cyril Svoboda, who accepted the letter and applauded the endeavours of the young people. “We really only wanted to clear out all the Santa decorations and reinstate the authentic Czech Christmas”, said Tomáš Zdechovský, one of the founders of the movement.
Austria and the Slovaks are against Santa too!
We appreciate the huge grassroots support awarded to the Czech campaign to revive Ježíšek, two other associations in both Germany and Austria have also started up as a result”, pointed out Zdechovský. However, the fact is that, whereas in contrast to the Czech Republic, where Santa more or less disappeared, the Slovak commercials repeatedly drum into children’s heads that their presents are delivered by Santa on his magic train with his full contingent of small gleeful dwarfs madly jumping around. Many Slovaks don’t see eye to eye with this imagery as can be seen by checking out www.zachrantejeziska.cz (available only in Czech).
Instead of the lump of sugar
The initiators of the project, who acquired government support last year, want much more this year. They want the government to wholeheartedly throw their full weight behind the appeal. “The Czech government has been pouring a lot of money down the drain lately. Let´s not forget the woeful campaign “Evropě to osladíme, which was not only embarrassing but also nobody in Europe got it in the slightest”, said Zdechovský. We believe if the government can waste so much money on such absurd campaigns, why on earth can’t they support a campaign promoting the Czech traditional symbols of Christmas...they would be increasing our Czech national awareness and self identity.
This year there is also a charity
This year´s project Zachraňte Ježíška is also a charity project. People who support Ježíšek can also contribute to the purchase of a new life-saving device for the children´s oncology unit. “The funds raised will be used to buy the device, thereby saving children’s lives”, said Zdechovský.
Why is Santa disappearing?
In most of the chain stores as well as commercials Santa had already packed his bags and gone after last year. Why? “Partly it is the result of our endeavours and partly because the banking crises stemmed from the USA and the retailers do not want to confront customers with American symbols of Christmas”, explained Zdechovský of the intriguing phenomenon.
Grassroots support is enormous
Last year there were almost 30,000 people who supported the project and also attached many supporting letters. This year there have already been over 6,000 signatures and 25,000 Facebook supporters within only two weeks. Our websites have been visited by 80, 000 people so far and we also get support from the many Czech people living abroad who still celebrate traditional Czech Christmas. We intend to keep and develop this trend.
