It’s an early Christmas!
Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro announced yesterday that he was changing the date of Christmas to this week.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro wished Venezuelans a “merry early Christmas” on Saturday and kicked off the festivities by flicking on the Nativity lights at the presidential palace. The reason for the early celebration, he explained, was to bring “happiness for everyone.”
He said all workers will receive their bonuses and pensions next week. “Merry Christmas 2013, Christmas early, early victory, early happiness for the whole family. We wanted to declare the arrival of Christmas because we want happiness for everyone.
Cynics have noted Maduro’s stocking stuffers will fall suspiciously close to municipal elections on Dec. 8
He also defended his plan to spread year-round cheer through the establishment of a Ministry of Supreme Happiness. “It’s provocative to make it a ministry, right?” Maduro said, before imploring Venezuelans to live their lives to the fullest. “That’s the main message I wanted to give here. Let’s be happy and make others happy too.”
On the upside, Venezuela consistently ranks high on the list of happiest nations!
(from TIME magazine)
