Festivals can help to bring people together

Victoria Coun. Ben Isitt has stirred up a hornets’ nest by proposing that the city reduce its display of Christmas decorations. Specifically, he wanted to “roll back” the city’s spending on Christmas trees, poinsettias and other symbols he believes are overtly religious. And he objected to decorating the giant sequoia in Centennial Square as a Christmas tree, for the sake of “inclusivity.”

In passing, it’s worth noting that the sequoia is trimmed by the Downtown Victoria Business Association, not city council. Is Isitt also proposing to regulate private displays?

But the broader issue here is that Christmas celebrations, like other major religious festivals, are a part of our Canadian culture and a symbol of who we are. Isitt apparently takes the position that the way to ensure cultural acceptance is to minimize cultural differences.

The opposite view, and a happier one, is that holidays such as Christmas, Hanukkah and Diwali are an opportunity to understand and enjoy each others’ cultures. In this way, we ensure mutual acceptance through an appreciation of different traditions, rituals, food and festivals. No one takes offence.

Isitt might say he is trying to promote inclusivity. But what he is really doing is driving wedges and giving rise to needless animosities where, if we were left to ourselves, none would exist.

Much has been written over the past 20 years about the disintegration of our sense of urban cohesion. Some of that is regrettably unavoidable. It’s partly the result of highrise apartment buildings where the residents hardly know one another.

Endless traffic gridlock plays a part. Homelessness and the loss of green space also cause tension.

But other factors have also driven us apart. In his book Bowling Alone, the American sociologist Robert Putnam argued that the decline in community groups such as bowling clubs has been socially destructive.

The diminishing role played by religion in modern times has also contributed to our growing sense of isolation.

Arguably, the rise of bitter partisan views, and increased rates of loneliness, depression and suicide, are all part and parcel of our fragmented society.

One solution is surely to place more emphasis on festivals and celebrations that the whole community can take part in and enjoy. It’s no accident that even in the bleakest of times, people have found solace and comfort in such events.

During both world wars, informal ceasefires would break out on Christmas Day, and, for a few brief moments, humanity was restored.

That speaks to a deeper need in our species. We look for ways to make life more bearable when the world around us seems harsh or unforgiving.

Religious ceremonies help meet that need. Yes, they have become commercialized. That’s unfortunate. And yes, some of their meaning is lost in the glitter and pageantry.

But only the Scrooges among us fail to see that behind all of that, bonds are reinforced that help bind us together.

Isitt went on to complain about the tax expenditure that goes into Christmas trees, poinsettias and holly wreaths (the city spends $64,000 on its “seasonal animation program”).

On Dec. 7, Isitt was among the council members who approved the hiring of an assistant to the mayor. He suggested a salary in the $90,000 range, after Helps suggested $130,000 would be appropriate.

Why does the mayor need an assistant? She has an entire team of managers to give her advice.

And which expenditure would contribute more to local residents, Christmas festivals or another cog in an already bloated bureaucracy?

If councillors need assistance in deciding whether to roll back Yuletide celebrations, we’ll be happy to send them our deluge of letters to the editor. Needless to say, our correspondents, by a large majority, are not happy campers.