July 21st... purely Belgian!

BRUSSELS July 21st could take on an even more festive air than usual this year. For in addition to the national holiday, we will be celebrating the tenth anniversary of King Albert II's reign across the four corners of the country. On the program: music, circus, tastings, parades, fireworks, stars of all kinds, not to mention a genuine popular ball and a pyro-musical show. On July 21, 1831, Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha took the oath on the Constitution of Belgium, thus becoming the first King of the Belgians. However, it was only in 1890 that July 21 was established as Belgium's National Holiday. More recently, on August 9, 1993, King Albert II in turn took the oath, becoming our sixth king. This summer will therefore mark the tenth anniversary of his reign. With these two events to celebrate, opportunities to party will certainly not be lacking this summer. From the Parc Royal to the Place du Jeu de Balle, from the Caserne Albert to the Place des Palais, from Rue Haute to Rue de la Régence, in Brussels Park and on Place Royale, in short, the entire capital will take on a festive atmosphere. Under the slogan "Is dit Belgisch, c'est du belge!", celebrations will be in full swing for two whole days, on July 20 and 21, with playing cards as a common thread... featuring a King of Hearts representing Albert II. The deck consists of ten red and black cards on a yellow background, symbolizing as many years of reign. The party will indeed start a day early this year, on Sunday, July 20. The full program and the various locations where festivities will take place are listed on the website created for the event (www.albert2.be). As for the attire worn for the occasion: black, yellow, red, of course! Brussels plays its trump cards There will be something for everyone: young and old, walkers, cyclists, motorcyclists, or roller-skating enthusiasts. Indeed, this year, in addition to the traditional military parade, a roller parade, as well as a bike and a motorcycle parade, will be organized on July 20. "Is dit Belgisch, c'est du belge!" is pulling out its three jokers—its three parades on secured routes—to return the city to its inhabitants. Playful, sporting, and family-oriented, these activities are aimed at people of all ages. Thus, the gathering for the roller parade (www.belgiumrollers.com) is scheduled for Sunday at 11:30 a.m. in the Parc du Cinquantenaire (Schuman roundabout side). Specially designed for the anniversary of King Albert II's reign, the route will invite participants to let off steam on thoroughfares usually inaccessible, such as the Schuman roundabout, Rue de la Loi, Porte de Hal, Place Louise, Porte de Namur, Rue Belliard. The Motorcycle parade (www.motorcyclecouncil.be) is naturally a nod to the king's passion, a well-known motorcyclist. The king himself will give the starting signal at 12:00 p.m. from Parking C at Heysel. The motorcycle parade will travel along the capital's main avenues. Several sports and political personalities are expected to participate. The Bike parade (www.provelo.org) will start at 2:00 p.m. from Brussels Park. Prince Philippe and our Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt will be part of it and will also mount their two-wheelers for a wild royal bike parade. A Classical Aperitif Concert, conducted by composer and conductor Dirk Brossé, will also take place on July 20, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Palais d'Egmont. In the afternoon, a garden party will be held at Laeken Castle. The party also continues at Mont des Arts, where soapbox cars will race and line up at 2:00 p.m. to hurtle down from Place Royale towards Coudenberg and along the Parc du Palais des Congrès, finishing their course below the Mont des Arts Carillon. These most original and ultra-aerodynamic machines will do it all over again the next day, same time, same place. Several activities will also be organized this Sunday afternoon, at Place Brueghel and Rue Haute, in the heart of the Marolles. Place Brueghel will host, during these two days of festivities, the Cirque du Trottoir, whose Belgian artists, who originated the famous Cirque du Soleil, have for 25 years blended prowess, music, theater, and humor in hilarious and very impressive shows. Rue Haute will feature a window display contest by the "traders' league", activities by the "Amis du Vieux Marché", tastings of Brussels specialties, a gathering of the Giants, and several mobile street performances. On Sunday as on Monday, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., an improvised Roller Street Park will set up at Casernes Prince Albert, Rue des Petits Carmes, near the Sablon and the Palais d'Egmont. A large track of 1,000 to 1,500 m² will be available.