Dundee lights move angers city’s churches
council accused of banning christmas as festive event drops religious references
Published:
Local church leaders have accused Dundee City Council of banning Christmas after it emerged all religious references have been removed from the city’s annual festive lights switch-on.
As well as changing the name to the Dundee Winter Light Night, the council has decided to drop the telling of the Christmas story from the official programme.
Instead of the traditional Nativity tale, the festival will feature a disco, a contemporary circus, a continental market and a giant stilt-walking fairy.
The changes were revealed when the programme of events was unveiled at Discovery Point.
Disgruntled members of the Presbytery of Dundee claim the council is “eroding a religious festival" and have now voted to make an official complaint.
The Rev Allan Webster, who addressed the City Square crowd during last year’s switch-on, said: “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.
“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.”
The decision to raise the issue with the council was taken during a meeting of the presbytery at Meadowside St Paul's Church Hall.
Members agreed to have the presbytery's church and society committee contact the council, while members of the congregation were urged to raise the issue with local councillors.
The Winter Light Night, which is scheduled for November 27, has been organised by the One City, Many Discoveries campaign and forms part of the Homecoming Scotland finale.
Organisers say it will be bigger than anything Dundee has done before, with a blend of musical, audiovisual, theatrical and cultural performances as well as a fireworks display to finish.
Similar Winter Light Nights have operated successfully in other parts of the UK in the past.
A council spokesman said: “When we are contacted by Dundee Presbytery we will look at the points they are raising and respond to them.”
Meanwhile, a spokesman for EventScotland, which is managing Homecoming Scotland, said: “Thousands of revellers will enjoy this unique event in Dundee’s city centre and join in a huge celebration of the city’s contemporary culture and heritage. Without doubt, Winter Light Night will be one of the highlights of the weekend’s activities, which promises to offer something for everyone.”
Readers' Comments