The installation raised next to the Christmas tree that adorns Brussels’ Grand-Place this year, titled “Fabrics of the Nativity,” has drawn criticism. While it includes the traditional figures of Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus, it replaces classic sacred imagery with life-size dolls dressed in recycled textiles. The figures have no faces, only patchwork patterns in beige and brown. According to organizers, this was meant to create “an inclusive mix of skin tones.” Critics argue it strips the nativity of its spiritual meaning and turns it into a political statement.
