No Halloween for Arkhangelsk kids

“Celebration of Halloween negatively affects development and socialization of children,” reads a letter signed by Deputy Minister Elena Molchanova with Arkhangelsk Education Ministry quoted by FlashNord news agency.

She refers to research findings by the Institute of pedagogical innovations of the Russian Academy of Education that has studied Halloween.

 “It is unacceptable to have such an event in educational institutions as Halloween does not meet the goals and objectives of the educational process,” Elena Molchanova argues.

Arkhangelsk is not the only Russian city imposing a ban on the American origin celebration.

Last week, the Russian Orthodox Church in Krasnoyarsk, Russia’s in size largest Federal subject, called on authorities to ban Halloween, The Moscow Times reports. A priest in the church argues children may get depressed because they do not understand the difference between make-believe and reality.

“And so evil will enter their souls,” the priest says.

Halloween is celebrated on October 31st, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows’ Day.

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