Angèle will sing five of her songs including a duet with her brother, Romeo Elvis. 

The guest list is composed of Alain Souchon, Caballero & JeanJass, Aloise Sauvage, Jeanne Added, MC Solaar and Tamino!

The event is open to the public. It will also be broadcasted live on La Une on September 27 from 21:00.

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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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The main attraction is the 96 m high City Hall building. For those who haven’t had the chance to get a closer look, the City Hall was built in the Gothic style during the 15th century and it is covered with a collection of delicate facade statues.

It is estimated that around 750,000 people pass through the Grand Place every day. What’s struck me with awe is that not many people notice or question the City Hall’s asymmetry.

If you look closely you would immediately notice that the high tower is not positioned in the middle or center of the building.

Legend has it that when the architect realized the mistake, he climbed to the top and  jumped to his death. The spot has ever since been marked with a star.

Legends aside. The real reason why the building is asymmetrical is probably due to « the fact that during the 15^th century the building was designed over a longer period by a series of different architects, each of whom was forced to consider the very boggy foundations. »

And the star represents the point from which the distance to the capital is measured or the zero point in Brussels.

The post The legend behind the asymmetry of the City Hall on the Grand Place appeared first on Brussels Express.

The 4.7 tonne tree was chosen based on several criteria, such as: it had to be at least 20 meters high and located near a road which would make the transportation more feasible. As it comes from a PEFS certified forest, forest of the western Hertogenwald in Membach, that means it has been managed sustainably.

This year the Christmas Tree will be decorated using the colors of the Finland flag, which will be the guest of honor of this 18th edition of the Winter Pleasures (Plaisirs d’Hiver).

The tree will be placed on the Grand Place on Thursday morning at 06.00.

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