ROME – The Polish Embassy made a formal, indignant protest to the Italian foreign ministry Tuesday over the erection of a gawdy ‘Santa’s village’ Christmas market next to the hallowed Polish cemetery where more than 1000 soldiers from General Anders’ legendary Polish Corps who died fighting in the battle of Monte Cassino are buried, diplomatic sources said.

 “This initiative not only violates the holy nature of the battle of Monte Cassino, not respecting the dignity and historical significance, but also blocks access to the monuments,” the Embassy said. The protest note also was sent to the Benedictine monks who live in the monastery of Monte Cassino which owns the land where the business venture has been launched next to the dramatic cemetery.

 The sprawling Christmas fair, reported exclusively by the Italian Insider last week, offends “the dignity of the most important Polish monuments in Italy,” the protest note said.

 The Polish embassy urged Italian authorities to take measures to close the ‘village’ and prevent future incidents but since the land belongs to the monastery it remains to be seen if local officials will be able to prevent the fair continuing, local sources said.

 The protest note follows an incognito visit to Cassino by the Polish consul and the Polish military attaché who travelled from Rome and paid the entrance fee to carry out an “intelligence mission” inside the Santa’s village, diplomatic sources said.
  After many controversies due to the Christmas Village held in the ruins of the old monastery of Santa Maria dell'Albaneta, allegedly desecrateing memorial places, the Abbot of the Montecassino Donato Ogliari has responded to the outcry of local citizens, environmentalists and administrators.

  According to the abbot, the Christmas event was fully applauded by him. He pointed out that it is a good opportunity to know and admire an area that is unknown to most people. "From what I have seen during a quick visit on the evening of the Immaculate (Dec. 8)“ said Ogliari, "there is no village or Christmas market. It is true there is a small children's corner, which delighted and amazed my childish eyes, with lights and non-traditional Christmas images. Certainly, in the short time of my brief visit, I saw many small families walking with their children in a calm and not at all rowdy way” he said.

  The other concern is a project of agroturism and dairy farms held there in the future. However, for the abbot this kind of upgrading of the area is not a problem at all. "The area of Santa Maria dell'Albaneta until a few years ago was used as an agricultural area. In fact, the abbey housed cows, calves, other animals and land was planted with wheat and fodder. I think, therefore, that a agroturism farm fits into its natural context, however I am not absolutely sure if there are going to establish a dairy farm. Certainly, it will be necessary that the lessee will consider the significance of the area which has been the scene of bloody battles during the last war. I am sure that he will bear in mind this very important aspect and he can work in synergy with those who care for this place because of its higher value. I believe that the multifaceted controversy of recent days is imbued by many misconceptions. In future we should correct some aspects that in the eyes of some may be disrespectful or questionable. I think that the lessee will be the first to be happy about that”, the abbot concluded.