The Christmas season is officially well on its way in Brussels as the city's Christmas tree makes its long awaited appearance at the Grand Place, where it will stay until 5 January.
At around 20 metres tall, the tree made its entrance to the capital's historic square on a truck at around 6:00 0n Thursday.
Christmas tree arriving at Grand-Place. Credit: Belga/Timon Ramboer
Selecting the perfect Christmas tree every year is the result of a joint effort between the City of Brussels and the tree nursery company, Inter-Arbo, explained the Public Relations Coordinator for Brussels Major events, Adelaïde de Patoul.
While sometimes Belgian citizens nominate their trees, other times a tree is chosen because it is too tall for the area where they're growing, added Patoul.
This year's tree was sourced out of a private garden from Rixensart, in Wallonia.
The tree was becoming too large, posing a danger to the owner's house and the people in the surrounding area, explained Patoul.
Christmas tree cutting well underway. Credit: Milestone Productions.
The owners, a retired couple, volunteered their tree to see it live the rest of its days at Grand Place, de Patould told The Brussels Times.
The 32 year-old tree was cut down on Wednesday morning, in a collaborative operation which involved Belgian police officers, the City of Brussels, and Inter-Arbo.
It was then stored overnight, before being driven on a truck to the Brussels' iconic square on Thursday, 21 November.
But the tree won't fully "come to life" until the lights are officially switched on at 18:00 on Friday 29 November, the first day of the capital's famous Christmas market, Winter Wonders.
The Christmas tree being lifted. Credit: Milestone Productions.
This year's tree decoration will feature a "solidarity touch". Famous Belgians will sign some of the Christmas decorations, which will later be auctioned off to raise funds for Make-A-Wish, an association which grants wishes to terminally or severely ill children.
To bring the Christmas cheer beyond the Grand Place, the City of Brussels has set up a livestream so anyone can watch the tree in all of its glory.
