The saint was a generous 4th century Greek bishop who liked to give gifts secretly. He would, for example, put coins in shoes that were left out for him, leading him to be the model for Father Christmas.
But the shock news children did not get a visit from the beloved gift giver on November 8 –
Both schools are in Huningue, on the border with Germany
We are surprised and disappointed by your decision to deprive school children of this joyful experience
He wrote: “We have received a number of complaints from angry parents, who have let us know that you chose to ban Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of school children, in the name of secularism.”
Mr Deichtmann concluded that, like all festive occasions, Saint Nicholas day “brought people together,” before adding that parents felt “stigmatised” by the ban.
Father Christmas is based on Saint Nicholas
“Every child in Huningue celebrated Saint Nicholas at school, with their friends.
“Parents need to know why you chose to cancel such a major, symbolic event. Claiming that you did so to defend secularism isn’t enough.
The two mistresses, whose identities have not been disclosed by the mayor to prevent tensions escalating, have declined to comment on the controversial ban.