Abstract Christmas tree sparks protests in Brussels

Abstract Christmas tree sparks protests in Brussels

Thousands of people have signed a petition against an abstract light installation replacing the traditional Christmas tree in Brussels city centre.  More than 11,000 signatures have been gathered in the online petition and a Facebook page attacking the new feature has been launched. Critics accuse officials of opting for the installation for fear of offending non-Christians, especially Muslims.

Traditionally, a 20m (65ft) pine tree taken from the forests of the Ardennes has adorned the city's central square, the Grand Place.  This year, it has been replaced with a 25m (82ft) construction, though smaller real Christmas trees still decorate the square, a spokesman at the mayor's office said.

The city's website said the new "tree" was one of five "light" installations around the Grand Place this year, offering visitors the chance to climb to the top and enjoy "beautiful views" of the city.

Tourism councillor Philippe Close at the mayor's office said the aim was to show off the "avant-garde character" of Brussels by blending the modern and the traditional, to produce something new and different.

'Offensive'

Brussels hosts one of the most popular winter markets in Europe and many are worried that the contemporary construction is incongruous with the 17th-Century buildings that surround it.    The light installation has even been nicknamed The Pharmacy by some who say the glowing cubes resemble the green cross symbol you find outside many chemists around the world.

"What we want is just to modernise the pleasure of winter, of this Christmas market and all the image of Brussels," said Councillor Philippe Close. "For people who want a traditional religious symbol, we have the nativity scene here in the square. For people who want modernity, we have this new tree."

Miryam Oostling, a visitor from Leeuwarden in the Netherlands, said: "I quite like the tree. It's a piece of modern art. It's cosy!"

Question 1. Indicate whether these sentences are true or false. Justify your answers with evidence from the text.

a)            There is only one Christmas tree in the Grand Place this year.

b)            Many people visit Brussels at this time of the year.

c)             There are four more exhibits like this nearby.

d)            Some Christmas traditions are still preserved in the Grand Place.

Question 2. Answer the following questions in your own words.

a)  What different ways have people found to protest about the new tree?

b)  What criticisms have been made of the tree?

Question 3. Find a word or a phrase in the text that means the same as

a)            collect    par. 1

b)            mix, combine   par. 4

c)             organise   par. 5

           

Question 4. Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning.

a)    Thousands of people have signed a petition against an abstract light installation in Brussels city centre. 

The petition …..

b) The glowing cubes resemble the green cross symbol you find outside many     

     chemists around the world.

     The glowing cubes resemble the green cross symbol which can …………

c)  Councillor Philippe Close said: "For people who want a traditional religious

     symbol, we have the nativity scene here in the square. For people who want    

     modernity, we have this new tree."

     Councillor Philippe Close said that for people who …. , ……………..   and   

     that for people who ………………. , ……………………

Question 5. Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:

‘Traditions are important and should be preserved?  Do you agree?