Brussels Christmas market off to a rocky start: “Time to step in”

Brussels MP Mathias Vanden Borre has voiced strong criticism over the way the city council is launching this year’s Winter Wonders festivities. On top of the controversy surrounding the nativity scene, a pro-Palestinian demonstration is also stirring public outrage. “Once again, Brussels is being brought into disrepute,” he says.

Call to ban protests at the Christmas market

Vanden Borre believes a Christmas market should be a warm, safe, and cultural tradition — not a stage for international conflicts or political controversy. While he acknowledges the right to protest, he insists the Christmas market is absolutely the wrong place for it.

“The mayor needs to assess whether such a demonstration can take place without compromising public order and safety. I call for a ban on all demonstrations in the city centre during the entire Christmas market period. Allowing protests in the middle of a major mass event is extremely dangerous. Is mayor Philippe Close ready to bear the responsibility if things go wrong? Just look at what happened at several Christmas markets in Germany. Do we really want to take that risk here in Brussels?” he warns.

Little respect for tradition

In the same vein, Vanden Borre criticises the city for increasingly downplaying its own traditions. The new nativity scene on the Grand Place, with its abstract design, is — in his view — a symbol of how local authorities are watering down Brussels' cultural identity.

“While political activism is allowed at the Christmas market, authentic symbols are being replaced with something completely unrecognisable. It shows just how little value is still placed on the traditions that give this event its true meaning.”

He also points out the cost of the installation: a staggering €65,000 — a price tag he finds particularly hard to justify in a time of security concerns and budgetary pressure.

City council must take responsibility

Vanden Borre is calling on the MR and cd&v parties, both part of the city’s governing coalition, to finally take responsibility — both in terms of public safety and the issue of the nativity scene.

“MR and cd&v are part of the ruling majority. If they truly care about our traditions, they should speak up now and reverse this decision. Their aldermen and city councillors can still urgently bring this to the agenda. I’m asking for a minimum of consistency. Complaining on social media is easy — what matters is taking action where decisions are actually made.”

He concludes: “Brussels must start taking visitor safety seriously, but it also needs to rediscover respect for the traditions and culture that give Winter Wonders its meaning. Only then can the Christmas market once again become a place where people feel safe and where our own identity is proudly on display.”