Controversy Over Christmas Crib in Grand Place - Brussels

Controversy Over Christmas Crib in Grand Place - Brussels

Belgian designer, artistic director and entrepreneur Jean-Paul Lespagnard pose beside the Christmas tree that he decorated in Brussels Grand-Place on November 28, 2025 in Liege, Belgium. In 2025 Brussels installed a "faceless,inclusive" nativity scene made from recycled textiles at the GrandPlace, prompting criticism that the redesign erases traditional religious imagery while supporters tout it as a modern, secular interpretation; simultaneously, the European Parliament displayed a nativity scene for the first time, sparking debate over whether such a display could be seen as offensive to nonbelievers. - Photo by Monasse T/ANDBZ/ABACAPRESS.COM

Controversy Over Christmas Crib in Grand Place - Brussels

Controversy Over Christmas Crib in Grand Place - Brussels

(L-R) Dean Benoit Lobet, Belgian designer, artistic director and entrepreneur Jean-Paul Lespagnard, Brussels Mayor Philippe Close, the German born interior architect and designer Victoria Maria Geyer talk to media about the controversial nativity scene in Brussels Grand-Place on November 28, 2025 in Brussels, Belgium. In 2025 Brussels installed a "faceless,inclusive" nativity scene made from recycled textiles at the GrandPlace, prompting criticism that the redesign erases traditional religious imagery while supporters tout it as a modern, secular interpretation; simultaneously, the European Parliament displayed a nativity scene for the first time, sparking debate over whether such a display could be seen as offensive to nonbelievers - Photo by Monasse T/ANDBZ/ABACAPRESS.COM

Controversy Over Christmas Crib in Grand Place - Brussels

Controversy Over Christmas Crib in Grand Place - Brussels

Belgian designer, artistic director and entrepreneur Jean-Paul Lespagnard (L) the Brussels Mayor Philippe Close (C) and the German born interior architect and designer Victoria Maria Geyer (R) and the dean Benoit Lobet talk to media about the controversial nativity scene in Brussels Grand-Place on November 28, 2025 in Brussels, Belgium. In 2025 Brussels installed a "faceless,inclusive" nativity scene made from recycled textiles at the GrandPlace, prompting criticism that the redesign erases traditional religious imagery while supporters tout it as a modern, secular interpretation; simultaneously, the European Parliament displayed a nativity scene for the first time, sparking debate over whether such a display could be seen as offensive to nonbelievers - Photo by Monasse T/ANDBZ/ABACAPRESS.COM

Controversy Over Christmas Crib in Grand Place - Brussels

Controversy Over Christmas Crib in Grand Place - Brussels

(L-R) Belgian designer, artistic director and entrepreneur Jean-Paul Lespagnard, Brussels Mayor Philippe Close, the German born interior architect and designer Victoria Maria Geyer, and the dean Benoit Lobet talk to media about the controversial nativity scene in Brussels Grand-Place on November 28, 2025 in Brussels, Belgium. In 2025 Brussels installed a "faceless,inclusive" nativity scene made from recycled textiles at the GrandPlace, prompting criticism that the redesign erases traditional religious imagery while supporters tout it as a modern, secular interpretation; simultaneously, the European Parliament displayed a nativity scene for the first time, sparking debate over whether such a display could be seen as offensive to nonbelievers - Photo by Monasse T/ANDBZ/ABACAPRESS.COM

Controversy Over Christmas Crib in Grand Place - Brussels

Controversy Over Christmas Crib in Grand Place - Brussels

(L-R) Belgian designer, artistic director and entrepreneur Jean-Paul Lespagnard, Brussels Mayor Philippe Close, the German born interior architect and designer Victoria Maria Geyer, and the dean Benoit Lobet talk to media about the controversial nativity scene in Brussels Grand-Place on November 28, 2025 in Brussels, Belgium. In 2025 Brussels installed a "faceless,inclusive" nativity scene made from recycled textiles at the GrandPlace, prompting criticism that the redesign erases traditional religious imagery while supporters tout it as a modern, secular interpretation; simultaneously, the European Parliament displayed a nativity scene for the first time, sparking debate over whether such a display could be seen as offensive to nonbelievers - Photo by Monasse T/ANDBZ/ABACAPRESS.COM

Controversy Over Christmas Crib in Grand Place - Brussels

Controversy Over Christmas Crib in Grand Place - Brussels

Belgian designer, artistic director and entrepreneur Jean-Paul Lespagnard talks to media about the controversial nativity scene in Brussels Grand-Place on November 28, 2025 in Brussels, Belgium. In 2025 Brussels installed a "faceless,inclusive" nativity scene made from recycled textiles at the GrandPlace, prompting criticism that the redesign erases traditional religious imagery while supporters tout it as a modern, secular interpretation; simultaneously, the European Parliament displayed a nativity scene for the first time, sparking debate over whether such a display could be seen as offensive to nonbelievers - Photo by Monasse T/ANDBZ/ABACAPRESS.COM