J.-J. Merlin's inline skates will start the show

HUY, SOON IT'S SUMMER J.-J. Merlin's inline skates will start the show The skaters will set off for 20 km, on this evening of the Fête de la Musique. Jean-Joseph Merlin alone embodies the roller parade and the Fête de la Musique, the highlights of this upcoming weekend, which will mark the transition from spring to summer. Born in Huy in 1735, he was indeed not only the inventor of the inline skate, but also of musical instruments, such as the six-string harp, a kind of harpsichord. He also played the piano and the violin. His biographers explain that one day, shortly after he developed his inline skates, he went to a masked ball given by a famous London socialite at her Soho Square residence. Wearing his skates, he began to twirl while playing the violin. But, unable to stop, he crashed into a valuable mirror, which he broke, as well as his violin. He himself was injured in the adventure. Today, the musician-skater returns to his good city of Huy. He will indeed be at the start of the roller parade, at 8 p.m., avenue des Ardennes (gathering Grand Place from 7 p.m.). At least if the weather permits, because, it's a constant for Belgium Rollers, which includes the Huy parade, if there's no pilgrim, rain stops the skate. Before that, the roller park on rue des Messes, for acrobatic tricks, will have been inaugurated, around 5 p.m. From Huy, Londoner, Pole This good Jean-Joseph Merlin, for the occasion, will have come from Poland, Avenue des Ardennes, Baudouin bridge, Amay, Ombret bridge, and back to Huy via Liège. Irek Grabowski is 39 years old, the age Merlin was when he served as a model for Gainsborough (who is no small figure!). He has lived in the Cité Ardente for 11 years and his profession as a musician leads him to participate in a whole series of events, notably Jazz à Huy, for several years. He admits to being more comfortable with his instrument than with his skates, but, with the roller parade, he runs fewer risks than his model. His mirror will be the Meuse, as the 20 kilometers of the circuit will never be far from the river. Via the Baudouin bridge, the skaters (but also cyclists, who are welcome) will go towards Amay, cross the Ombret bridge to return towards Huy. They will arrive around 10:30 p.m., to merge into the Fête de la Musique, and the night of Bassinia. Lord Sandwich J-J Merlin will still be part of the celebration this summer, during the dinner-show that will take place in late 18th century London, from July 16 to 31 (in several episodes). Lady Sandwich's table will be laden with dishes that can restore the image her gambling husband gave of English "gastronomy". This admiral knew no table other than that of whist, to the point of having snacks served to him there, which would bring him more notoriety than His Majesty's ships. ■■ M.D. PLEASE NOTE The Tourist Office will offer a circuit to discover the heritage from the inventor's era. An exhibition will also be dedicated to him, from July 14 to August 22, at the Espace Place Verte Gallery. J-J Merlin, alias Irek Grabowski, violinist and skater. ■ "John" Joseph Merlin by Gainsborough at Kenwood Museum. ■M.S.