Latin America It is a mostly Catholic and Christian region under the influence of Spanish colonization. This Christmas It is a celebration of Christian origin that aims to commemorate the birth of Jesus, the central figure of Christianity.
(You can also read: Christmas message from Colombian apostolic nuncio via EL TIEMPO)
This celebration of religious origin is part of the most popular traditional holidays in the region. but there is a Latin American country that “abolished” Christmas and other religious holidays a century ago.
This is Uruguay, the country that has stopped officially celebrating Christmas despite maintaining the holidays.. In this nation, December 25 is a holiday, but it is a celebration of Family Day.
This decision was made in 1919, The 1918 Constitution, put to a popular vote in 1917, establishing Uruguay as a secular country, Therefore, the Latin American country maintained the holidays, following the State and Church separation, but stopped institutionally recognizing the religious motive behind them.
(You may be interested in: Christmas trips: where Colombians go to spend their holidays)
As with Christmas, Easter Week is not celebrated, but Tourism Week; Children’s Day is celebrated on the day of the Three Kings, and the day of the Virgin Mary is replaced by the Day of the Beaches.
Again, This does not mean that they are forbidden celebrations, because on the streets and those who wish celebrate Christmas on December 24. They follow traditions such as decorating with lights and accepting this celebration as a holiday of Christian origin.
Source: Exame
