A video of members of the public being asked what they think of Dublin’s recently unveiled ‘Winter Lights’ is stirring up conversation and debate on social media.
The video was inundated with people asserting that the winter lights were in fact “Christmas lights” – while the video was flooded with people who took issue with Dublin City Council, for failing to feature anyone Irish in the one minute clip:
We asked members of the public what they liked most about the Dublin Winter Lights. ✨❄️
We were delighted to hear so much great feedback as people described how the colours, sounds and designs put them in a positive mood and brought a festive vibe to their evenings. pic.twitter.com/RBpUhjpKrK
— Dublin City Council (@DubCityCouncil) December 15, 2023
Those who were interviewed for the on-street vox pop included Americans, who described the lights as “diverse” and “beautiful.”
However, the video was described as “problematic” by some – with claims that there was an ongoing effort to “erase Christmas” because of the terminology used.
The lights will brighten up the city over the month of December, with Dublin City Council writing online that it was “delighted” the winter lights were back at locations across the city centre. New locations have been added for the colourful projections and lighting displays, including, for the first time, Bank of Ireland, Ha’Penny Bridge, O’Connell Street, College Green and the Central Plaza.
The lights are also in place at The Spire, the GPO, Trinity College, and Mansion House, alongside a range of other locations, featuring new designs from national and international digital artists.
The phrasing ‘Winter lights’ was adapted by Dublin City Council in 2018, with the lights, prior to that being referred to as Christmas lights. In 2017, the switching on of the city’s Christmas lights and the tree on O’Connell street was done in a ‘Procession of Light’ organised by the City Council.
The 2017 procession started on Grafton Street, featuring live performers and ending in a celebration on O’Connell Street where the Lord Mayor of Dublin turned on the lights on the city’s 40 foot Christmas tree. The following year, the council’s ‘Winter Lights’ celebration was revealed.
Despite the video receiving close to 900,000 impressions on X, formerly Twitter, it received less than 200 ‘likes’ – with hundreds of people liking and sharing comments expressing unease at the phrasing by the council.
“It’s Christmas lights,” Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri, Chairperson of the Irish Muslim Council, wrote. “As a Muslim, I even find this very problematic! It’s not winter lights. Once again, it’s Christmas lights !”
It’s Christmas lights. As a Muslim, I even find this very problematic! It’s not winter lights. Once again, it’s Christmas lights !
— Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri (@DrUmarAlQadri) December 15, 2023
British author and broadcaster Paul Embery also highlighted the tweet, writing: ‘Winter Lights’.
‘Winter Lights’. https://t.co/MMJDJe3Pcf
— Paul Embery (@PaulEmbery) December 16, 2023
“Christmas lights,” a great many people simply wrote.
One user from the UK said: “Wow, never witnessed the whole ‘erasing Chrisrmas’ thing before, always thought it was nonsense when people said it, as here in England I see ‘Merry Christmas’ everywhere.
“Did not see Ireland being the first of our closest neighbours to do it,” they added.
Others said it seemed “strange” that there seemed to be no Irish people among the members of the public in Dublin to ask them about the lights.
“Are there any Irish in Dublin?” one person asked.
Others described the lights campaign as “woke,” with others adding, “Is it offensive to say Christmas now?”
“This is a Christian country,” other users said, as a number joked, “What are winter lights?”
“They’re not just lights; they’re a Christian tradition,” another social media user said.
It’s not the first time the terminology has been met with criticism. Last year, Aontú slammed the way the word ‘Christmas’ had been deleted from celebrations in the capital, with leader Peadar Tóibín saying the wording was “incredible.”
“Nobody says ‘happy winter festival’ to eachother. Nobody talks about turning on the winter lights on the winter tree. It’s a million miles from most people’s position. It’s so out of whack with where 99 per cent of the people stand on this,” Mr Tóibín said.
Others contrasted Dublin City Council to Belfast City Council’s approach, which appears to have kept the phrase, ‘Christmas lights.’
“Make it a #BelfastChristmas!” Visit Belfast wrote on social media.
“From twinkling lights to merry markets, the festive spirit is in the air! Stay tuned for magical moments, festive fun and all the joyous celebrations that make Christmas in Belfast truly special.”
🌟 Make it a #BelfastChristmas! 🎅🎄
From twinkling lights to merry markets, the festive spirit is in the air! Stay tuned for magical moments, festive fun and all the joyous celebrations that make Christmas in Belfast truly special ✨
Find out more >> https://t.co/k19yDo9Xo6
— Visit Belfast (@VisitBelfast) November 17, 2023
Others, defending the use of ‘Winter’ as opposed to ‘Christmas’ by Dublin City Council hit out at people being “triggered” by the wording. In the video, those interviewed praised the council for the “fun” and “colourful” lights.