Stroll “Roller” evenings in seven Belgian cities

AFTER THE SUCCESS OF “BRUSSELS ROLLERS” last summer, six Belgian cities have taken up the idea of a route for skaters. It will therefore be possible during the 60 days of school holidays to visit one city per day on wheels. Every evening in July and August, the meeting time is set for 9:00 p.m. weather permitting. This stroll is free and open to all, although it is recommended not to be a beginner. “Belgium Rollers” means seven evenings of the week for seven cities: Brussels will keep Friday evenings, but skaters will also parade in Hasselt on Mondays, Namur on Tuesdays, Ghent on Wednesdays, Liège on Thursdays, Mons on Saturdays, and Koksijde on Sundays July 20 and August 24. “We are still training volunteers and studying the routes in each of these cities,” explains the initiator of “Brussels Rollers”, Carl De Moncharline. “It all started because young skateboarders and roller skaters practicing at Mont des Arts were receiving fines,” explains Mr. De Moncharline, who then suggested to Freddy Thielemans to go to Paris, where a “Roller Parade” had existed for several years. “Freddy went there and came back convinced.” The mayor of Mons, Elio Di Rupo, took part in the parade and decided to import the concept into his city. Then Namur, Liège, Hasselt, Ghent, and Koksijde embarked on the adventure.