Carpet of flowers in the heart of Brussels
You won't believe your eyes. When you pass through one of the seven entrances into the Grand Place, you will be presented with a brilliant spectacle. Stretching out over 2,000 m2, the floral display will positively glow with colours.
AUGUST IS a time of summer activities without forgetting to mention the famous Belgium Flower Carpet on the Grand Place. The much talked about festival that is organized every two years is all set to take place on 13, 14 and 15 August 2010 with this year’s theme as ‘Europe’. Experience serenity as you indulge your senses in sound and light from 9 am to 11 pm. Visitors can also enjoy a panoramic view from the balcony of the Hotel de Ville, every evening at 10.00 pm, 10.30 pm and 11.00 pm. The experience You won’t believe your eyes. When you pass through one of the seven entrances into the Grand Place, you will be presented with a brilliant spectacle. Stretching out over 2,000 m2, the floral display will positively glow with sparkling colours arranged in subtle designs. This monumental work, an original and ephemeral creation, requires months of design and preparation but has been put in place in just one day. A hundred expert craftsmen follow meticulous plans; each of the begonias and dahlias making up this exceptional tableau has its exact place, in complete harmony. Making a carpet The actual making of the carpet is based on a plan worked out in advance, consisting of several stages. Everything starts, often a year in advance, with projects and scale models, illustrating a commissioned theme. Once the theme has been produced in representation and symbol, the number of flowers and color combinations calculated and the outlines finally drawn on the ground, then the work starts. The skilful, dedicated work of a hundred experienced gardeners and their enthusiasm enables them to put together this giant floral jigsaw in under four hours. The day before, the spaces between the floral patterns will already have been filled with rolled turf. Did you know that the flowers are packed together one by one, 300 to every square meter of the ground (+/- 800.000 flowers!), so tightly (no soil is used at all) that they won't be blown away by the first puff of wind, and create their own microclimate? In heat waves, the turf has to be watered to prevent it from shrinking, but if the weather is too wet, the grass can grow 4 to 5 centimeters in 3 days? The wonders of nature. The Begonias The beauty and diversity of all these Carpets is largely due to their main component, the famous begonia. Chosen above all for its qualities of robustness, resistance to bad weather and strong sunshine the begonia guarantees the long life and freshness of the carpet. The beauty and diversity of all these Carpets is largely due to their main component, the famous begonia. Chosen above all for its qualities of robustness, resistance to bad weather and strong sunshine the begonia guarantees the long life and freshness of the carpet. The Agenda August 12 2010: Day for the press – Day of constructionFrom 9 am Possibility to interview the organizers (on appointment) 12.30 pm The first flowers are set by around 100 people 4.30 pm Opening « press » at the Town Hall and possibility to watch the Flowercarpet during the realisation. Possibility to interview the workers. August 12, 2010: Day for the press – Day of construction8.30 pm Official inauguration at the “Maison du Roi” and the Town Hall. 10 pm Fireworks and concert August 13, 14 and 15 2010: Opening for Public Every night at 10, 10.30 and 11 pm: sound and light From 9 am till 11 pm: Opening of Town Hall: the balcony is opened for the visitors, panoramic view : € 3, children younger than 12 enter for free New initiatives This year, there are brand new initiatives including a campaign to get a better idea of the opinion of visitors. They will be able to take part in a competition with a chance to win tourist-themed prizes - vouchers for a night in a hotel, a meal in a restaurant, a drink in a typical café, etc. Flyers will be distributed to visitors while they are waiting for the panoramic visit to the carpet. Whimsical and highly visible collection boxes will be placed at the exit. This year, with the tremendous support of and in coordination with the florist Van Maelder of the Grand Place, the B.H.C. Business Association has decided to embellish the houses and shops of the Grand Place in the red and green colours of the City of Brussels. The Saint Hubert Galleries Business Association will take part in its own way by incorporating a unique theme that will be found in the display windows of every shop in the gallery. The shops and hotels in the surrounding area also wanted to join in with a major event represented by the Carpet of Flowers of Brussels. For instance, Hotel Amigo has developed a “Flower Amigo Power” package and the Marivaux will decorate its façade with flowers especially for the occasion.
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