La Capitale · June 29, 2002 · Sylvie Degrelle (text) · V. Fromont (photo)
This article retraces a week in the diary of Carl De Moncharline as he steps away from managing his nightclub to launch the first Brussels Roller Parade.
Article text · translation
Between us, Brussels events
CARL de Moncharline’s week
HE STARTED SKATING AT AGE 5
ROLLER SKATING BEGINS ON JULY 5
Carl has hung up the keys to the Who's Who's: now, he skates
BY SYLVIE DEGRELLE
A fan of rollerblading and skating, the administrator of the Who's Who's has put his organizational talents at the service of the roller parade. The latter will invade the streets of our capital every Friday this summer. And Carl is working hard to make sure people know about it!
FRIDAY, JUNE 21: It’s summer! We start the day with a press conference presenting the project for rollerblading through the streets of Brussels. The press coverage was total, all the media came, I was really happy. It proves there is real interest.
SATURDAY: Scouting for the circuit we will use and a promotional tour of the city's bars, restaurants, cafes, and clubs. We are distributing flyers to inform people. The reception is very positive: our team got home at 3 a.m.
SUNDAY: No time for a lie-in. From 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., I give rollerblading lessons at the Bois de La Cambre. I did ice skating when I was little and now, I’ve taken up rollerblading; it seemed logical to me. After that, we resumed the promotional tour. My colleague is at the seaside; I’m going to Place Flagey with the hostesses.
MONDAY: Like every Monday, managing emails received and to be sent, still for the promo. A detour to the mechanic—when you have to, you have to. After that, another promotional tour. For the moment, I’m holding up. I must say that I generally sleep very little. I always go to bed very late and get up at dawn. Tonight, we kept it soft; we went to an exhibition opening. It's immediately a different atmosphere...
TUESDAY: In the evening, we did the dress rehearsal of the circuit, accompanied by the police. The route we have chosen and will use all summer starts at Louise, goes through Place du Châtelain, Porte de Namur, Place Poelaert, and disperses in the city center. While we were skating, people on the terraces were applauding us and cheering. It was great!
WEDNESDAY: Waking up at dawn (almost) to take the car for a "facelift." We’re going to cover it in promotional stickers. Then I went to Minister Gosuin’s office to sign the Wellbeing Charter, which requires all nightclubs to provide a relaxation room. As the administrator of the Who's Who's (Studiolive), I think it's a very good initiative. After that, interviews about the charter, but I took the opportunity to talk more about the roller parade. After a (very brief) stop at home, I went back out on promo in the Place du Châtelain area.
THURSDAY: We start the day with a TV interview, still regarding the charter. Exceptionally, I had time for lunch! After that, a series of visits: at 7 p.m., an opening, at 8 p.m., an exhibition, always to get people talking about the roller parade.
THE ASSESSMENT
A rather busy week and not necessarily very varied. If I had had more time, I would have gone shopping and booked my holidays!
[Photo caption]
King of Brussels nights, Carl launches into the organization of the roller parade. PHOTO V. FROMONT