Des « Immeubles en fête » à Bruxelles

Feature | Next Tuesday 27 May, conviviality invites itself into the capital "Immeubles en fête" comes to Brussels A concept born in Paris, this operation lands in Brussels. A chance to get to know your neighbours. Over a drink, at aperitif time. ALAIN GÉRARD The scene takes place in the Saint-Antoine district of Paris. A table set up in the courtyard of a building. Chairs arranged around it. As many as possible. The weather is fine. It is 6 pm. A good hour for an aperitif. On the table, glasses and plates pile up. Bottles of wine, water and lemonade follow. Gradually the chairs find occupants: Hello, I am the neighbour from the third floor. And I am the neighbour from the fifth, you know, the lady with the cats. Let me tell you a secret: the cats are all the company I have left in life. So when I heard that our concierge was going to organise a friendly gathering of the building's residents, I rushed over. I brought a rhubarb tart. And you? The conversation between the third-floor neighbour and the fifth-floor neighbour begins. It also begins with the other neighbours of the building who, meanwhile, have come to sit around the table. In a corner of the courtyard, one neighbour has volunteered to keep the children busy. He has improvised a small playground. The evening is only just beginning… Since 1999, the year it was created in Paris, the "Immeubles en fête" operation has never stopped inspiring imitators. Imitators and happy people. A good reason to import it here, to Brussels. At the initiative of Carl De Moncharline, a well-known figure of the capital's nightlife, it will take place on Tuesday 27 May. The origin of the event? A tragedy of loneliness, explains Sabine Bonnard, member of the French association behind the creation of "Immeubles en fête". An elderly lady had been found dead in her flat. She had died three weeks earlier. With a group of friends from our Paris arrondissement, we then wanted to do something to fight the indifference and anonymity that characterise life today. What is the point of learning conviviality in the schoolyard if it is only to forget it afterwards? And it works! Last year a million people raised their glasses together in nearly 100 French towns. Beyond the encounter, bonds are formed. Examples of fireworks of generosity are legion. Cécile explains how she used that evening to organise a rota for collecting the children from school: Meanwhile, my partner met the neighbour, who gave him a job. "The neighbour on the first floor was hosting a friendly drink. We got to know each other and we have been married ever since" Carmen recounts the time when, in the middle of the NATO strikes on Serbia, the American lady from the fifth floor went up herself to fetch the Serbian neighbour who did not dare join the others. Before, they did not speak to each other. Today they have coffee together every day. Sometimes it goes further. That is the case for Aude and Stéphane, two Parisians who met at the first edition: We had lived in the same building for seven years. I passed him but I did not see him. For "Immeubles en fête", the neighbour on the first floor was hosting a friendly drink. We got to know each other and we have been married ever since. The atmosphere is there too. Some bring their trumpet, others bring the whole brass band. Nothing says whether the music of our French neighbours will still echo here on 27 May. One thing is certain, however: they will be able to stay up later than we can. In France, Wednesday is a day off for children. (With S. F.-P., st.) KEY POINTS Origin? The "Immeubles en fête" operation was born in France, in Paris, in 1999. In 2002, 126 town halls and two million people took part across France. Principle? Simplicity, conviviality, proximity and solidarity are the four words that best sum up the spirit of the operation, whose original aim is to react to indifference and loneliness — while encouraging people to meet within their own homes, streets or neighbourhoods. When? Tuesday 27 May, from 7 to 10 pm (the gathering may of course take place before or after these indicative times). Who? All Brussels residents who want to get to know their neighbours better. Where? In apartment buildings (hall, courtyard or flat), in individual houses but also in streets, gardens, etc. How to take part? Quite simply by inviting your neighbours, on 27 May, to come for an aperitif at your place. Do not hesitate to join up with other neighbours to organise the evening together. Every "immeuble en fête" will identify itself by displaying the poster or postcard of the operation, available either by downloading them from the operation's website or from the "Boomerang" network displays in Brussels (cafés, restaurants, etc.). Info: www.immeublesenfete.be