On Wheels

BRUSSELS — In Brussels, it was non-stop partying for two days. Belgians from all over the country came to the capital to take part in the national holiday, each in their own way. On Sunday, the roller, bicycle, and motorcycle parades were especially popular. Six hundred rollerbladers started their national roller parade at the Jubelpark, eleven hundred sports enthusiasts cycled through the streets of the capital together with Prince Filip, and no fewer than twenty thousand motorcyclists gathered under the Atomium. In the Marollen, the atmosphere remained great the entire time. Small flags colored the Blaes- and Hoogstraat in the Belgian tricolor. Thousands of Belgians strolled through the streets of the working-class neighborhood on Sunday afternoon to stream together around 6:30 p.m. at the Vossenplein, where the folk ball began. At 11 p.m., when Prince Laurent made his appearance, 14,000 enthusiasts were dancing and singing in the square. On Monday July 21 itself, the partying continued merrily. The Warandepark was flooded by various street performers and children's workshops. The final concert at Poelaertplein attracted thousands more people to the capital. The climax was, of course, the fireworks display at the Paleizenplein.