The Strasbourg tree highlights the city's status as “world book capital 2024”. However, the decoration is not unanimous, especially during the day when the green giant is not illuminated.
Barely lit, the large Christmas tree in Strasbourg is already divisive. This Tuesday, November 27, the city opened the doors to its Christmas market and began its end-of-year festivities. The day before, a first illumination test allowed us to see what the king of Place Kléber will look like.
Alongside the traditional red balls and golden stars, decorations have been added to stick to the theme “Time to marvel”, chosen to celebrate the designation of Strasbourg as the 2024 world book capital by UNESCO. Thus, book pages and message sheets also adorn the green giant of Strasbourg.
When night falls, many appreciate the original decoration, the lights and especially the installations at the foot of the tree.
But when the day comes, the decoration raises questions. Some people compare book pages to giant toilet paper garlands. “Our fears are confirmed. Strasbourg, world capital of (used) paper. These fake pieces of paper hanging down, it looks like nothing. The title of 'World Book Capital' will therefore have been trashed to the end”, writes a Strasbourg resident disappointed, supporting photo.
“The ugliest tree I have seen in my entire life”
The decoration should represent an open book, at the foot of the tree, with pages flying along the tree, forming a sort of garland. Problem: between day and night, it seems that the Alsatians find two completely different trees.
The garland of signs is not unanimous without its blue lights. “It’s the ugliest tree I’ve seen in my entire life,” laments a user. “We should change decorators,” Fabienne even asks on Facebook.
“This tree is magnificent, but the decoration is poor,” summarizes Carine.
Others have more temperate opinions. “It’s messages of peace and love that represent this moment well. But in terms of decorations it’s a bit of a shame.”
The luminous and musical awakening of the Strasbourg tree will take place every day of the Christmas market between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. until December 27.
Cécile Mootz, with Juliette Moreau Alvarez
