Held every two years so as not to clash with the Grand Place being covered in its Flower Carpet, Flowertime lets you see Brussels City Hall as you’ve never seen it before.

For five magical days, the entrance hall, corridors, reception rooms and more will be bedecked in unusual, surprising floral arrangements that transform the magnificent building into an idyllic, enchanted world of captivating scents and dazzling colours.

A fresh look at a little-known architectural gem

It may be instantly recognisable, but few members of the public have ever had the chance to cross the threshold of Brussels City Hall and explore the mysteries that lie beyond.

Flowertime is the perfect occasion to discover 13 of its most beautiful rooms, decorated floor to ceiling by around 30 internationally renowned florists.

For Delphine Houba, president of the non-profit that also runs the Flower Carpet event, Flowertime is a unique opportunity to see Brussels City Hall from a whole new angle. “Everyone knows its façade, but few people, locals included, know what’s hiding inside this wonderful Gothic building. By opening some of its most beautiful rooms, which would normally be closed to the public, Flowertime gives people a behind the-scenes glimpse of its little-known splendour.”

2019 goes international

This year, the artistic direction is once again in the green-fingered hands of the folk from Floraliën, who have chosen “A World of Floral Emotions” as 2019’s theme. Established artists and budding newcomers from all over the world will pour their talent, creativity and expertise into making this venerable building sing with the universal language of flowers.

“The idea came about because we wanted to bring different cultures together. More than 30 artists – some new to Flowertime and some old hands – will show off the latest floral trends from their own countries: Belarus, China, Indonesia, Japan, Romania, Estonia, France, Portugal, Netherlands, Sweden, Mexico, United States… and of course, Belgium. In total, over 30 florists from 13 countries are taking part in Flowertime,” says Pieter Toebaert, director of the Floraliën festivals.

A floral gateway to an enchanted world

As always, the flower-lined route will start in the Grand Place. This year, though, to access the building, visitors will pass through a stunning flower arch composed of 500 fuchsias.

Every evening between 6 pm and 10 pm, visitors will be serenaded by the Jose Luis Montiel Moreno trio, who have put together a floral playlist especially for the occasion. Jose Luis Montiel Moreno is a great supporter of Brussels’ summertime events, having composed the soundtrack for last year’s Mexican Flower Carpet sound and light show.

Don’t miss out on this unique experience!

Practical Information

• Opening hours
  o 14 August, 1 pm to 7 pm (last entry at 6:30 pm)
  o 15-18 August, 10 am to 10 pm (last entry at 9:30 pm)
• Price: 8 euros (free for children under 10)
  o On-the-day tickets available at the Brussels City Hall entrance
  o Advance tickets available on www.flowertime.be and in the Visit Brussels shops (located at
  Brussels Grand Place and Rue Royale 2-4, 1000 Brussels)
  o With an advance ticket, you can take the fast lane at the Grand Place. Please note that
  there are only a limited number of advance tickets available.
  o Discounts for groups of 15 or more: please contact karel.goethals@flowercarpet.be
  o You will find all the info you need on their website.

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Each summer, the City of Brussels organises ‘Brussels in flowers’. This is a competition designed to encourage private individuals to decorate their facades or small gardens in front of their houses with flowers and, in general, to embellish and beautify the City.

Registrations for the 2019 edition are possible until 1 July 2019.

Participants should register and choose their preferred category of flower before the start of the competition. For the winners, there are cash prizes to be won.

Categories:

– flowers on the facade of cafes or restaurants
– flowers on the facade of houses
– flowers on the facade of a public housing
– flowers in small gardens visible from the street
– floral decoration of a vegetable garden (visible from the street)
– the biodiversity decoration
– shopkeepers, administrations, banks

The post Competition Brussels in Flowers: Decorate the facade of your house appeared first on Brussels Express.

The Green Spaces Service is now distributing flower seeds free of charge to residents and collectives in the City of Brussels.

The seeds can be collected at Quai des Usines 97, 1000 Brussels, after making an appointment by phone (0800 14 477) or email (vegetalisons@brucity.be)

It is important to note that the seeds are only available in bulk, so be sure to bring a suitable box or bag. If you want advice on how to use the seed, feel free to ask the Green Spaces Service.

Promoting biodiversity

The seed is a mixture of ten flower species, specially selected to promote biodiversity. Among other flower types, it includes daisy, buttonweed, and marjoram.

On Saturday 11 May 2019, the service will also be distributing flower seeds at various greenhouses across the City of Sterrebeek.

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