Zagreb - The Light of Bethlehem, the light of peace and hope, is shining in the Croatian Parliament as of Tuesday, where Scouts Croatia traditionally placed it outside the Parliament Chamber.
"I hope the Light of Bethlehem will bring good, peace and joy into Croatian homes as well as more understanding, mutual respect, and tolerance in the Croatian Parliament, more values that connect us than those that separate us," Speaker Gordan Jandroković said, accepting the Light from the scouts.
This Light symbolises the connection between nations and people, it symbolises peace and what is good, a glow against the darkness, Jandroković said.
Today we live in a time that is indeed difficult due to the pandemic and last year's earthquakes and that symbolically represents darkness too, he added.
"I hope that by shining in Parliament, in the days ahead it will spread the spirit of kindness, understanding, faith, and mutual connection," said Jandroković.
Last year the message was cooperation, care for others and unity, just before the Petrinja earthquake, when we all showed unity, Boris Vujnović of Scouts Croatia said, while this year the message is that everyone should go back to their daily activities, be happy and, first and foremost, healthy.
The Light of Bethlehem has been coming to Croatia under Parliament's auspices since 1992.