Controversy Surrounds Faceless Nativity Scene in Brussels

A new “inclusive” nativity scene introduced in Brussels has sparked significant debate, with critics arguing that it undermines Christian traditions and calling for its removal.

On Friday, the Brussels city government debuted the nativity scene in the Grand Place, a historical market square. The city claimed the previous display was aging and difficult to transport without damage.

The design for the new nativity scene was commissioned by Mayor Philippe Crouse, who identifies as a secular Socialist, from the Basilica of St. Michael and St. Duras. The artist behind the new design is Victoria Maria, a local creator from Brussels.

What sets this nativity scene apart is its use of recycled fabrics, with the figures of Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, and others rendered faceless. Instead of distinct features, they are represented by a pixelated blend of beige and brown materials.

The design team has stated that their goal was to reflect a variety of skin tones, aiming for inclusivity so that everyone might see a bit of themselves in the display.

However, some observers found the faceless figures inappropriate, including Belgian senator Georges-Louis Bouchess, who remarked that they looked more like “a zombie in a Brussels train station” than a traditional nativity scene.

Bouchess criticized the display, arguing that it erodes cultural values. “How ugly is a society that denies its values?” he said. “This nativity scene is atrocious and an affront to our tradition.” He advocated for its immediate removal, or at least by the next holiday season, while Mayor Crouse has indicated hopes for it to be displayed for at least five years.

Wouter Duyck, a cognitive psychology professor at Ghent University, suggested that political correctness and concern for offending the city’s Muslim population influenced the decision to create a faceless nativity scene. He questioned the reasoning behind prioritizing one religion over another in a European context.

Duyck expressed concern about maintaining a neutral public space, stating that coexistence should not impose limitations on traditions. He criticized the idea that undermining one’s values could facilitate integration and harmony.

Adding to the drama, the mayor’s office reported that the head of the baby Jesus figure was stolen from the nativity scene, although the motive behind the theft remains unclear.