City roller fever

LEISURE Brussels follows Paris's example to the great delight of skaters City roller fever Mild summer evenings are set to be sporty in Brussels. At least for fans of "in-line rollers." The capital is following in the footsteps of Paris, London, and Amsterdam, offering skaters the chance to participate in a procession through the city every Friday evening in July and August. Provided, of course, that it does not rain. For two hours, the parade will travel back and forth from the Palais de Justice to the Bois de la Cambre, and after a refreshment break, will take Rue Royale, Boulevard Botanique, and Boulevards Jacqmain and Anspach to finish at the trendy Place Saint-Géry. It was in Paris that the Mayor of Brussels-City, Freddy Thielemans, went to find inspiration. Just like there, participants will be supervised by police officers on rollerblades who will, of course, manage the internal and external security of the procession. While this gathering is reserved for skaters with at least some experience—an aptitude test is planned before departure—initiation or training sessions are scheduled for Sundays at the Bois de la Cambre, a hotspot for skating. Everything seems to be accounted for, including equipment rental. The most patriotic will undoubtedly consider this roller parade to be a fair turn of events, as a certain John Joseph Merlin, born in 1735 in Huy, was the first to think of combining metal rollers and wooden plates for transportation. Since 1760, the roller skate has come a long way and has been transformed into a small marvel of technicality. It is certain that on Friday evenings, conversations on the terraces of Place "Saint-Gé" are likely to take a somewhat unusual turn, as will the scents emanating from a crowd more accustomed to Chanel than to Rexona. Once again, Brussels confirms its status as a prime location for mixing. A place where the convertibles of the city center or Place du Châtelain cross paths with Salomon, Fila, or Roces. A rolling city is a beautiful sight! P.D.G.