So spending a week or so at my parent's home in Rhode Saint Genese is like spending a month in Hawaii! Okay maybe I am exaggerating but I really love spending time with my family. I am not really going to talk about Belgium today however I am featuring some of Brussels latest icon that is Grand Place Christmas Tree.
If you have been following the news and twitter, you would have probably stumbled upon a lot of contemporary Christmas trees for this year. Some of the trees that I have seen are made of small barks, wires or white designed plates (like in Hasselt), or even boxes like in Brussels!
Despite some public disapproval the Grand Place Christmas Tree stayed up and rather considered a touristic attraction. I was back in Manchester when I saw the article about this tree so I couldn't immediately drive to Brussels to see it, even though I considered the concept very abstract, hence, loved it. However, when I came to Brussels to see the formation I was disappointed. It looks beautiful in pictures but in person you see all the pitfalls and all the structural elements behind the 'christmas tree' in an unattractive manner. Also I am not sure how the tree appears coloured in pictures because in person you see them white.
Not to be so negative about the structure, I think the juxtaposition created within the area is special and the reflection of the lights is notable. But as you can see, I have visited the structure at night so I am not sure of how it looks at daytime in person so I will just keep it to my imagination and I think it doesn't look any better anyway. Oh at daytime, it is facilitated for the viewers to go inside of the Christmas tree by paying a small amount of fee to gain a superb top view and the euros funded will be given to homeless people.
I totally loved the concept but in practise it is not working much. The modernity brought up lacks Christmas spirit.
 |
 |
| Another christmas feature at Grand Place |
-check my previous post on Belgium here
Merry Christmas,
SIMA