If you’re expecting a post about
nightclubs, bars and other places of nightly entrainment, you’ll be
disappointed. This post is all about a bi-annual event that not only blows the
tourists' socks off, but also attracts a lot of Belgians. I’m talking about
the unique flower carpet that is ‘rolled out’ on the world famous Brussels’ Grand’
Place.
The carpet, which measures 77 by 24 metres,
is made up of almost 1,000,000 begonia flowers. It is punt into place in 4 hours
time by 120 begonia growers and volunteers.
Where to start?
Photo: www.nieuwsblad.be
Photo: www.nieuwsblad.be
Almost done!
Photo: www.morgen.be
Photo: www.morgen.be
The carpet features a different theme every
two years. This time ‘Africa’ is put in the spotlights, with reproductions of
authentic fabrics and symbols from the African continent.
The final result.
Photo: www.morgen.be
If you still want to see the carpet in real life – free
of charge on ground level, 5 euro per person if you want to go up to the
balcony of the city hall to have a general overview – you will have to hurry
though, as tomorrow, Sunday, Aug. 19th, is the last day. Moreover, our
current heat wave isn’t doing the carpet any good. Overnight approx. 50,000
flowers had to be replaced to preserve the colour pattern. We’ve been having
very high temperatures since Wednesday, with an over 30°C peak on Thursday and
34°-36°C expected for today and tomorrow.
While I’m typing this the temperature in my
apartment has risen to a still ‘comfortable’ 28°C. But I know that by this
afternoon, 30°C will not be far away!! But I’ve taken my precautions and have
invested in …
7 comments:
What a beautiful display. Wish we could be there to see it in person. I've seen promotional photos of the display before and wondered what the reason was for the display. Now I know. Thanks.
How lovely. It's similar in a way to the Derbyshire custom of well dressing, but here the displays are vertical, about 2 metres high, and the pattern is made of individual petals pressed into clay. Luckily with our cooler and usually wet summers they last about a week.
.....and I think your investment is either a portable air-con unit, or maybe an extra ice-cube tray !!
Martine, thank you for this post about the carpet...you mentioned some months ago that the spectacle occurred in August...it is truly beautiful. It sounds as if Europe is experiencing an Aussie style summer! I hope you have a...portable sir conditioner?
What a superb display!
Hot here too, very hot 39/40C yesterday!!
Bob, You're welcome! I didn't go and see it myself, but the images on tv were fabulous.
Jean, My investment is a cooling device indeed, but it's lighter than a portable air-con unit yet heavier that an ice-cube tray.
Louise, The heat was extreme and unbearable over the weekend. Now it has cooled down a bit, but sleeping is still a problem, despite my recent investment.
N&A, 39/40C, can't beat that!!! I hope your house is nice and cool inside. Older houses usually are.
This floral display was gorgeous...maybe one of these days I will see it in person when I travel to your part of the world....thanks for posting Martine!
Virginia, The 'carpet' is a bi-annual event. So remember to come over in an 'even' year! :)
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