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This year’s Christmas is not reminiscent of those of years past, nowhere in the world: celebrations have been reduced or even banned and replaced by tough measures to deal with the pandemic.
Covid-19 has killed more than 1.7 million people on five continents, and the remaining outbreaks are a reminder that despite the arrival of the first vaccines, life will not return to normal anytime soon.
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Christmas without … Christmas
Under the cloudy sky, a few dozen people today witnessed the traditional Christmas procession in its streets Belen. Usually thousands of pilgrims flock to the city for this ceremony.
“Despite the fear and frustration of Covid-19, we will get through this ordeal because Jesus was born in Bethlehem,” said Pierbatista Pitsabala, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.
“Things are different this year because we are not going to pray in the Church of the Nativity, we cannot be with our families, everyone is afraid,” admitted Jania Sahin, who participated in the procession with her husband and two children in the square. of the Manger, in front of the Basilica that was erected in the place where, according to tradition, Christ was born.
Due to the pandemic, there will be no liturgy for the faithful at midnight tonight, nor will Palestinian officials attend church. The liturgy, with the presence only of the clergy, will be broadcast on television around the world.
At VaticanPope Francis intends to perform the liturgy at midnight two hours earlier, so as not to violate the restrictions imposed by the Italian government.
“Sparagmos”
In Australia, a country that is sometimes described as “exemplary” in terms of pandemic management, due to the increase in cases in North Sydney, the streets are deserted. Jimmy Arslan, owner of two coffee shops in the worst-hit areas, said his billing had dropped by 75%. And he can’t count on his family to boost his morale – his relatives live in Canberra and he can’t visit them. “It’s heartbreaking,” admitted the 46-year-old businessman.
THE Germany canceled the famous Christmas Markets while in Kuwait The churches will remain closed until January 10, although a vaccination campaign has been launched in the country.
THE Republic of the Congo-Brazzaville imposed a quarantine on Christmas and New Years, which angered the bishops.
TO Philippines, some chose to vacation alone, because they are afraid to travel by public transport. “I will order food, go back to old movies and videotape my family,” said Kim Patria, 31, who lives alone in Manila.
In Kamisli, in the northeast Syria, controlled by Kurdish forces, residents ignored the pandemic and watched en masse the lighting of the Christmas tree in a Christian neighborhood. The attendees wore royal hats, but not masks. Muslims and Christians gathered for the occasion and performed traditional dances in front of the decorated tree.
Christmas in Dover
Thousands of European truckers prepare to celebrate with an impromptu New Years Eve party at the Port of Dover, in Brittany. “Everybody tells us to come here and wait, but we don’t want to wait,” said Ezdraz Swatza of Poland, visibly irritated. The driver is at the old Manston airport to be tested for the new coronavirus. “They say they are going to test us, but nothing is done, we have no information, nothing,” he added. “I have two small children, my wife, all I want is to go to Poland.”
The New Year is not expected to be better. Due to the increase in cases in Brazil, the mayor of Rio de Janeiro intends to prohibit access to the famous Copacabana beach. Usually thousands of people flock there to admire the flares, but this year there will be no show.
the Sydney however, he intends, no matter what, to ring in the new year with a stunning rainbow of fireworks, as he does every year.
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