This Latin American country does not celebrate Christmas

Christmas in Latin America
High rates of faith
The country that rejects Christmas
Family day
More than a century of tradition
Uruguay's accelerated path towards secularism
Cemeteries
Civil unions
No religious references in parliament
Divorce
Lay education
Constitution of 1917
Little religious population
Other festivities
Children's, and beaches days or tourism week
Same traditions, different name
Christmas decoration (despite everything)
Christmas in Latin America

Christmas is one of the most important celebrations in Latin America. According to a 2014 Pew Research study, at least 88% of adults are affiliated with some form of Christianity.

High rates of faith

The region is home to about 40% of the world's Catholic population. This religion has an absolute presence in countries like Paraguay, where less than 1% of the adults identify as unaffiliated.

The country that rejects Christmas

But also in this region is Uruguay, one of the few countries worldwide that does not celebrate Christmas.

Family day

The holiday became secular in this South American country, and since 1919, it has taken the official name of 'Family Day.'

More than a century of tradition

Thus, Uruguay has celebrated Family Day instead of Christmas for over a century, so the tradition is already well established.

Photo: Alicja Ziajowska / Unsplash

Uruguay's accelerated path towards secularism

According to CNN, the change in the name of the religious holiday was just one of several decisions that pushed the country down the path of secularism shortly after its first constitution was approved in 1830.

Cemeteries

The first of these decisions came in 1861, CNN explains: the Government took on the administration of cemeteries, taking them away from the Catholic Church.

Civil unions

Shortly after, in 1885, having a marriage performed and recognized by Government officials became mandatory before religious unions.

No religious references in parliament

Then, in 1907, all references to God and religious symbols were removed from parliamentarians' inaugurations.

Divorce

In that same year, according to CNN, Uruguay became one of the first countries in the region to legalize divorce.

Lay education

One of the most significant decisions came two years later, in 1909, when the country eliminated the teaching of religion in public schools and declared that education needed to be free, mandatory, and non-religious.

Constitution of 1917

Finally, in 1917, Uruguay approved a new constitution establishing the separation of Church and State. Two years later, Christmas changed its name.

Little religious population

The change does not affect the population too much. According to the Pew report, Uruguay is the least religious country in the region: 37% of its population identifies as unaffiliated, agnostic, or atheist.

Other festivities

Christmas is not the only holiday that “disappeared” from the country after the 1917 constitution. All religious holidays have different names in Uruguay.

Children's, and beaches days or tourism week

Three Kings' Day became 'Children's Day,' the Virgin's Day, celebrated in Catholic countries, became 'Beach Day,' and Holy Week, a typical staple in its neighboring nations, is called 'Tourism Week.'

Photo: Tincho Franco / Unsplash

Same traditions, different name

Despite the change, except for Nativity Scenes, some Uruguayan streets are not very different during the holidays.

Photo: Sandra Seitamaa / Unsplash

Christmas decoration (despite everything)

According to Spanis newspaper El País, many streets, squares, or public places in Uruguay have non-denominational Christmas trees and lights, just like everywhere else.

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