Do You Join Belgians In Hating This Christmas Tree Light Sculpture?

People in Brussels think it doesn’t mesh well with all their pretty old buildings.

1. Traditionally, the Grand Palace in Brussels displays a normal, if large, pine tree every Christmas.

However, this year the Belgian government decided to replace the usual tree with this abstract light installation. It’s called “Abies Electronicus” and every night it glows and plays music. Also, you can climb to the top and look out over the city, which is awesome.

Image by Geert Vanden Wijngaert / AP

2. Some Belgians aren’t too pleased with the change in tradition.

Over 25,000 people have signed a petition against the “tree.” Brussels is 22% Muslim, which some people think may have contributed to the decision to replace the regular Christmas tree with this thing, and think that the modern-looking installation looks out of place next to the venerable old buildings.

But some don’t feel that way. “I quite like the tree,” Miryam Oostling, a visitor from the Netherlands, told the BBC. “It’s a piece of modern art. It’s cosy!”

Image by Geert Vanden Wijngaert / AP