The staunch defense of the Christian traditions of the Brothers of Italy, the party of the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, has found another crusade: shielding the manger. The ultra-conservative formation has just presented a proposed law to prohibit schools from removing the representation of the birth of Jesus Christ, a text that has caused controversy because it foresees sanctions for school principals who oppose it.
Specifically, the document, entitled Respect and protection of Italian religious traditions, foresees prohibiting "the prevention of initiatives promoted by parents, students and competent school bodies to carry out activities linked to the traditional celebrations of Christmas and Christian Easter, such as the preparation of the nativity scene, the performances and other related manifestations to remind us of their deep meaning of humanity and the relationship that binds them to the Italian national identity". If the proposal moves forward in the parliamentary procedures and ends up being approved - which is what is expected, since the Italian right-wing coalition has an absolute majority - those who do not comply will be punished with sanctions established by the Ministry of Education .
The senator from Brothers of Italy who signed this parliamentary initiative, Lavinia Mennuni, explains to La Vanguardia that they do not want to force the making of the nativity scene, but "to prohibit it from being prohibited". "There are many parents who do not approve of Christmas being replaced by something called the winter festival. You must have the right to celebrate it in a traditional way", defends the parliamentarian, who emphasizes that the nativity scene is a symbol of "humanity and love". The aim is to prevent Italy from following the example of countries such as France, where in Nantes, for example, controversy has erupted due to unconventional decorations in the municipality. "Instead of using the traditional Christmas colors, he has chosen those of the LGBTQ rainbow. We know that it is a developing process, especially on a European scale", he protested.
But the idea has not been liked very much. Neither the opposition nor the school leaders. The director of the association of school principals, Antonello Giannelli, believes that it is important to keep the traditions of the country in mind but imposing them by law "is out of place". "I think it must be a stretch, because it can only be defined in this way. We are faced with measures that only serve to distract the attention of Italians from the real problems of the school", considers the president of the DirigentiScuola union, Emilio Fratta. Gianna Fracassi, secretary of the CGIL Scuola union, remembers that Italy is a country with a secular school. "Operations like this, which interfere with the autonomy of the schools, are not acceptable. We will support in every way the principle of scholastic autonomy and the secularity of the public school", he warns.
However, Mennuni insists on the importance of the project, which she is convinced will please the Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, who in her most famous speech defined herself as a woman, a mother and a Christian. "For this Government, it is undoubtedly important to safeguard Christian traditions, which are also Italian. Let's not forget that the nativity scene is an Italian tradition", he insists, when celebrating the 800th anniversary of the first nativity scene founded by Saint Francis of Assisi in the town of Greccio.
Regarding whether the law discriminates against students of other beliefs, Mennuni believes that it does not. In his opinion, the nativity scene does not involve any "indoctrination or proselytism by the State", so there is no discrimination for students and families of other religions. In fact, in the presentation of the text it is argued that preventing religious symbols for the holidays "would constitute discrimination against students and families practicing the majority religion".
"Today the holy family that avoids persecution would probably end up in a center, maybe in Albania, waiting to know if some judge in Italy decides that they are worthy or not to set foot on Italian territory", he commented ironically, alluding to the recent migration pact between Rome and Tirana , the secretary of the progressive party Europe, Riccardo Magi.
