Hundreds of skaters for Les Halles du Cœur

Hundreds of skaters for Les Halles du Cœur A torchlight ride tonight through the streets of Brussels. Start at place Poelaert, finish at Halles Saint-Géry BRUSSELS — A Rollers Parade in winter. If the weather is mild enough, that is what should get under way tonight from 8 pm. Hundreds of skaters will gather on place Poelaert, in front of the Palace of Justice, for a nearly three-hour ride (escorted by the police) leading them to the Halles Saint-Géry via Louise, place du Châtelain, the chaussées de Waterloo and de Vleurgat, avenue Franklin Roosevelt, the Ixelles cemetery district, Général Jacques, the avenue Louise tunnels, place Stéphanie, porte de Namur, then on to the city centre. Arrival is expected around 11 pm. This Friday's Rollers Parade is in fact a labour of love for the non-profit Halles du Cœur. On 1 February 2003, the association will highlight the work of the Restos du Cœur, which help the most deprived. On that day, besides children's activities, the evening will be given over to a big concert by Les Halles du Cœur, the equivalent of the French Enfoirés. On stage at the Halles de Schaerbeek will be Plastic Bertrand, Machiavel, Starflam, Marka, the jazzman David Linx, Airlock… "During this Friday's Rollers Parade, the aim will not be to raise money but simply to spread the word about 1 February," explains Carl De Moncharline, organiser of the ride. To give the event a symbolic character, some 200 participants will make the descent torch in hand. Not counting the hundreds of others who will complete the route wearing a Father Christmas hat. "It is hard to give a figure for the number of participants, but there will be half as many as during last summer's parades." One unknown remains: the weather. Only at midday today will a possible postponement be decided, to Friday 3 January (same times). "Wet ground is the skater's nightmare. The only problem is that in winter, wet ground takes longer to dry." K. F. Welcome from 8 pm on place Poelaert. Departure: 9 pm. Free participation. Info: www.brusselsrollers.be and www.hallesducoeur.be. Photo caption: Tonight, weather permitting, hundreds of skating enthusiasts will ride for Les Halles du Cœur. Their route will be similar to the one used during last summer's Rollers Parade. (Gerbehaye)