But those calls have been in vain. The secretariat general that manages the European School system “has minimized the impact of the conflict, pointing out that the holiday could be addressed in the classroom as cultural content,” according to a note circulated among parents.
The secretariat general of the European Schools did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication.
“These celebrations form part of our cultural and educational identity, and eliminating them sends a message of disconnection from deeply ingrained traditions with undeniable emotional value for families,” said a parent, who asked to be identified only by the initials A.J.C.
“This decision has a direct and very negative impact on work-life balance, as it drastically reduces the actual time our children, as expatriate families, can spend in Spain, Italy or Portugal with their grandparents and relatives. It unjustifiably limits one of the few periods of the year when it is possible to strengthen these essential family bonds.”
Spanish parents have sent a letter to the country’s permanent representation to the EU asking for help, and gathered signatures from MEPs this week to send a letter to Piotr Serafin, the European commissioner for budget and public administration.
The letter, seen by POLITICO and bearing 38 signatures, asks Serafin to officially recognize “the special relevance of Three Kings Day for Spanish families” and to “adopt a solution consistent with the founding principles of cultural diversity and mutual respect between Member States.”