In its 20th year, the world famous floral carpet of Brussels will be decorated in the colours of Japan to celebrate its expertise in floral art. This year, Japan and Belgium are celebrating their 150th anniversary of friendly relations, established in 1866 with the Treaty of Amity, Commerce and Navigation. On this special year, Japan has been given the honour to be invited as guest country to the world-famous Flower Carpet in Grand Place. The 2016 flower carpet is showcasing nature in Japanese tradition with its numerous good luck talismans: flowers, birds, the wind and the moon are symbols of the natural beauty (Kacho-fugetsu); Koi (Japanese carps) represent strength and growth; pine trees and bamboos are signs of good omen; and the cherry blossoms, of course. This ephemeral tapestry w
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Brussels will be filled with the spirit of the Renaissance and its artistic and scientific innovations during the Carolus V Festival, which will run from May to September. The Festival will be shining the spotlight on Europe's 16th-century heritage and history thanks to a schedule packed with festive, cultural and family activities dotted across the European capital. And as of this year, the Carolus V Festival is also being honoured as a European cultural route by the Council of Europe. A look at the events in this year's festival that are not to be missed: Exhibition at the Brussels City Museum: Rebirth of an exceptional work of art: Pieter Coecke's tapestry cartoon (until 30 April 2017) The Museum is preserving an exceptional work of art: an immense picture measuring 3.40 x
Read MoreEvery two years, in the month of August, the Grand-Place at Belgian Capital Brussels is adorned with its most beautiful attire and becomes a gigantic ocean of flowers. This year will be even more special, as the famous carpet of flowers will be celebrating its 20th anniversary! In 2016, Belgium and Japan will be celebrating 150 years of diplomatic and friendly relations. It is therefore perfectly natural that the organisers have chosen to let the colours of Japan inspire the design of the carpet. The general public will be invited to come and admire this Japanese creation on 13, 14 and 15 August 2016, from 10 am to 10 pm, on the Brussels Grand-Place. The traditional inaugural evening will be held on 12 August at 10 pm. The Flower Carpet is 75 m long by 24 m wide. 1,800 m2 of beg...
Read MoreFrom 13 to 16 August 2015, a unique opportunity to visit the Brussels City Hall transformed into an enormous floral exhibition Several big names from the world of floral art have confirmed their presence Brussels City Hall and the Grand-Place will, for the second time, be transformed into a garden of 1001 colours and scents. Visitors will have the opportunity to stroll through this sublime historical building which is not usually open to the general public! This year, Flowertime will follow the theme of Italian Baroque: Italian gardens will be transported to the heart of Brussels, as if by magic... Flower time is a project on an exceptional scale. The 23 floral artists, of international renown, have just 2 ½ days to entirely decorate the majestic rooms of the City Hall. A true feat f
Read MoreBrussels and gardens, a long and beautiful love story. The best evidence of this is the great number of parks and spaces that fit perfectly into urban geography and offer inhabitants havens of tranquillity and relaxation. In parallel with the biannual Flower Carpet, that needs no introduction, VisitBrussels presents Flowertime 2015. Building on the success of the first edition of this new floral art event in Brussels, it has now decided to organise a second biannual event, that takes up residence during the summer at the very heart of European capital! This year, the summer floral collection will be a master stroke. From 13 to 16 August 2015, the city centre will truly dazzle with plants: from the moment you arrive on the Grand-Place, the Italian garden will offer itself to you so you...
Read MoreThe Brussels Flower Carpet was named international flower event of the year at the presentation of the International Garden Tourism Awards in Toronto. The International Garden Tourism Network presented its awards recently, as it does every year. The trade organisation annually awards the best garden tourism initiatives worldwide. The Flower Carpet received the international jury's highest acclaim in the 'flower event' category. Annette Katz, manager of Bloementapijt NPO, is absolutely delighted with the award. "This distinction rewards the know-how of a whole team of enthusiasts. Amongst them, there are those who grow the begonias and others who design the drawing which will highlight the flowers' splendid colours. And others still who are in charge of the logistics fo
Read MoreOn the occasion of this 19th edition, the Flower Carpet of the Grand Place has chosen to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Turkish immigration in Belgium. 1,800 m2 of begonias (begonyas in Turkish) will make up an ephemeral tapestry inspired by the geometric patterns of Turkey's famous kilims. Visitors will have the opportunity to admire this astonishing display from 14 to 17 August 2014, to sense all its tones and all its nuances, whether from the Grand-place itself or from above, from the balcony of the City Hall. A magical masterpiece, colourful and scented, what better way to pay tribute to the Turkish community of Brussels! The Turkish carpets or kilims Carpets are an integral part of Turkish culture. They are popular objects which are handed down from generation to gen...
Read MoreThis year, the Flower Carpet will once again light up the Grand-Place in Brussels, capital of Belgium and the European Union. Intricately and gracefully sewn together, made up of the most colourful begonias, the carpet will be rolled out on the 15th, 16th and 17th of August 2014. Admirers will have the chance to take it all in from above. Practical information: tours will take place from 9 in the morning to 11 at night; a panoramic view from the balcony of the City Hall. Every evening, at 10, 10.30 and 11 o'clock, spectators will witness a splendid sound and light show, set up especially for the occasion. Pack your bags! This time, the carpet will be taking you to mysterious faraway lands. We shall say no more for a few weeks yet... but rest assured, it will be enchanting. By tra
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