Christmas will not be Christmas in Dundee this year. All references to the religious holiday have been dropped from the switching-on ceremony for the city’s festive lights.
Instead of the traditional Christmas Lights switch-on, residents will be attending the “Dundee Winter Light Night”. Council officials have also decided that rather than a retelling of the Nativity story there will be a disco, a contemporary circus, a continental market and a 7ft fairy on stilts.
Disgruntled members of the Presbytery of Dundee have voted to voice concern to the city council, saying that the religious aspect of Christmas was being eroded. One churchgoer, Philip Harris, from Broughty Ferry, said: “It seems ludicrous to have a Christmas event which makes no mention of Christmas. It just seems like the usual political correctness.
“Hopefully the council will reconsider.”
At last year’s Christmas Lights switch-on in the City Square, the Rev Allan Webster was invited to address the crowd — a tradition that, along with the title of Christmas Lights, he feels should be upheld.
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Mr Webster has already offered his services to the council for this year’s event on November 27.
“I have asked if there will still be a role to play for the Church and I would be delighted to take up any offer, if asked,” he said.
“The general feeling is that calling it the Winter Light Night rather than the Christmas Lights is an erosion of a religious festival. It is important for all faiths to be able to celebrate their festivals and I must stress I would also be concerned if people of any other religion had their festival diluted.”
A spokesman for Dundee City Council said: “When we are contacted by Dundee Presbytery we will look at the points they are raising and respond to them.”
Karen Scrimgeour, who will take on the role of Christmas — or possibly Winter Light — Fairy and will wear stilts that will boost her height to 7ft 6in, said: “It’s a bit of a power trip being this tall as I’m normally only 5ft 2in. I’m very excited about being the Christmas Fairy this year. I can’t wait to see all the kids’ faces light up.”