Updated

A preschool in egalitarian Norway has canceled its traditional carnival celebration saying it encourages gender stereotypes, with boys dressing up in macho superhero costumes and girls in frilly princess dresses.

Renate Kvivesen, the principal of the Vikaasen preschool near Trondheim, told the AP on Wednesday that "we don't think it fits our values to host an event where children feel it's important to fit into specific gender roles."

The preschool has children from 0 to 6 years old.

Parents were informed by email that the annual dress-up for carnival, held just ahead of Lent in the Christian calendar, would not be taking place as usual this year after a split decision by the parent-teacher board.