Do you like colorful carpets with flowers depicted on them? And have you ever dreamed that those sewn flowers would come to life one day? Well, the Flemish have made that dream come true with the Brussels’ Flower Carpet.
Every two years the historic Grand-Place, which is situated in the center of Brussels, turns into the most famous touristic attraction for both travelers to Belgium and the locals. The Floral Carpet festival lasts for three days in the summer.
Though floral carpets were continuously laid in the past, the tradition officially started in 1971 when floral architect E. Stautemans developed it with begonias. Begonias are long lasting and can be very easily reshaped. They also grow in a great variety of colors and shades.
The preparations for the carpet design and theme begin a year earlier. In preparation, 100 florists pack a kind of floral puzzle out of 800,000 begonias within four hours. The begonias are not put into the soil but are packed tightly together forming a design. Due to the rainy weather in Belgium, the flowers grow up to 1.57-1.97 inches during the few days of the festival.
The theme of the Flower Carpet is different every year its held. It is associated with the great events of the country, the arms and shield of a town and the folklore. The Flower Carpet is accompanied by fireworks as well as light and music shows.
The Flower Carpet event is one of the most renown traditional festivals in Belgium. And the Grand-Place with its unique charm makes the festival even more fascinating.
Photo © Wikimedia
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