Flower Carpet is a biennial event in Brussels in which volunteers from around Belgium convene at the Grand Place, the historic center of the city, to weave a carpet-like tapestry out of colorful begonias. The event takes place every other August, coordinating with Assumption Day. Nearly a million flowers are required to create the ephemeral 1,800 square meter carpet.
Video Flower Carpet
History
Landscape architect E. Stautemans initiated the first Flower Carpet in 1971. 1986 was the turning point in the holding of this event, which, until then, had not been regular. The "Tapis de Fleurs de Bruxelles" Association was then created at the initiative of City of Brussels in cooperation with the Province de Brabant and the "Les Franc-Bourgeois" (a central Brussels traders' association). The new association laid down the regulations; the event was to be held every two years, for 3 to 4 days on the weekend of 15th August and could be enhanced by "Son et Lumière", fireworks, a jazz concert and other traditional folk entertainments. The tapestry always exhibits begonias, one of Belgium's major exports since 1860.
Themes
Each year of the Flower Carpet, organizers select a theme for inspiration.
- In 2008, the patterns were inspired by 18th-Century French designs and colors.
- In 2010, the designers of the tapestry honored Belgian Herman Van Rompuy, the first president of the European Union, with images of historic Belgian symbols alongside the European Union logo.
- In 2012, the carpet exhibited the colors of Africa, inspired by traditional fabrics and tribal costumes.
- In 2014, the city of Brussels paid tribute to the 50th anniversary of Turkish immigrants by imitating the world-famous kilims. Turks came to Belgium in 1964 when both countries signed a bilateral treaty welcoming immigrants during the economic boom.
- In 2016, the carpet displayed a Japanese design to celebrate 150 years of friendship between Belgium and Japan.
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References
Source of article : Wikipedia
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