WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT BRUSSELS?
Remember my earlier post on Flower Carpet 2016? Yes, it is a biennial (once in 2 years). It was totally by chance that I attended the last one, as I was in London with a Schengen visa in hand. Well, the fact is stranger than fiction, now I've moved to this country and Flower Carpet happens 20mins from where I live currently!
This is exactly why mid-August is the best time to Visit Brussels. Brussels Flower Carpet always happens at the weekend around August 15th. While Flower Carpet happens every alternate year, during the other alternate years Flower Time happens here as well!
Brussels Flower Carpet 2016
Brussels Flower Carpet 2018
BEST WAY TO SEE THE BRUSSELS FLOWER CARPET
Is Brussels Flower Carpet a free event or does it have a ticket? Well, while it is possible to see Brussels Flower Carpet free of cost from the ground level, the magic of the Brussels Flower carpet can be felt only if you see it from above.
The buildings around it are Gothic architecture and in one portion of it, there's a ticketed access to the balcony to see the whole design in all its glory!!! It cost €5 this year (Update: It costs €7 in 2022, More details below) and can be pre-booked. However, do be prepared to be patient as the pre-booked queue is very very long and the queue to get the ticket there is very very very very long. The gate opens at 10 AM, but the queuing begins at about 9 AM!!! But that ordeal is totally worth it!!!
BRUSSELS FLOWER CARPET - 2022 UPDATE
After the Brussels Flower Carpet in 2018, the next edition should have been in 2020. However, with the Global Pandemic that brought everything to a standstill, Brussels Flower Carpet was canceled in 2020. Now, finally, in 2022, Brussels Flower Carpet is happening again from August 12th (Friday) to August 15th (Monday).
WHY IS THE 2022 BRUSSELS FLOWER CARPET SPECIAL?
Brussels Flower Carpet 2022 is special because this marks the 50th Anniversary of the first ever Brussels Flower Carpet that happened in 1971. So, the Brussels Flower Carpet 2022 design is going to be a modern interpretation of the first ever Brussels Flower Carpet 1971 design which was created by Étienne Stautemas, the official designer of Brussels Flower Carpets in its early years! The title of the design is Arabesques.
The first ever Brussels Flower Carpet was laid in 1971 and then in 1976, 79, and 80, and every alternate year since 1986.
Pic Credit: ©Light Design by Studio Artfex; Photo by SWD Photography via Flower Carpet Press room
Pic Credit: ©Gaston Bastistini via Flower Carpet Press room
BRUSSELS FLOWER CARPET 2018
WHY IS 2018 BRUSSELS FLOWER CARPET SPECIAL?
CARPET TRADITIONS IN BELGIUM & MEXICO
The first Flower Carpet was laid in 1971 and this is the 21st Flower Carpet. The Mexican concept combines 2 different carpet traditions across the world. The Brussels Flower Carpet and Uriangato La Octava Noche from Guanajuato in central Mexico, which is the carpet created with sawdust for several kilometers stretch.
BRUSSELS FLOWER CARPET DESIGN IN 2018
This year's carpet is a concept by Roo (Ana Rosa Aguilar Aguado) from Uriangato and designed by Mark Schautteet, the Brussels Flower Carpet's permanent designer. Centrally in the design is a bird typically found in Otomi embroidery surrounded by the Sun (the main deity of the Purépecha people). This is flanked by 2 frogs representing the origin of the name Purépecha which means the hill of frogs. On either side are two stylized pre-Hispanic warriors representing the war between the Purépecha and the Chichimeca who fought over the land now known as Guanajuato.
ABOUT BRUSSELS FLOWER CARPET
WHERE DOES THE BRUSSELS FLOWER CARPET HAPPEN?
Grand Place is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Brussels. It is a central square surrounded by guildhalls. This square is where the Flower Carpet is laid out. The square is 110m by 68m and the carpet is laid at 75m by 24m. It is just spectacularly huge with enough walking space on all sides. WHAT FLOWERS ARE USED TO MAKE THE BRUSSELS FLOWER CARPET?
The primary flower used is Begonia Tuberosa. This flower blooms throughout summer and is strong and has a longer life even after plucking it off the plant. So it doesn't get affected whether the temperature rises or falls. Plus this flower blooms in a myriad spectrum of colors, so making a spectacular colorful image out of it isn't a problem at all. The flower is actually a native of the West Indies but today Belgium is the world's largest producer of the flower - 60 million bulbs yearly. Most of the carpet has Begonia apart from some portions made of other flowers & grass. The flowers are so closely packed that wind or rain doesn't affect them. It stays fresh for a long even if the sun shines hard. The grass grows a bit if it rains.
SOUND & LIGHT SHOW AT BRUSSELS FLOWER CARPET
The Sound & Light show happens on all 4 nights during the Brussels Flower Carpet event. Since Brussels Flower Carpet happens in the summer, it doesn't get dark till late, so the show starts at 21:30 (9:00PM) and runs till 23:00 (11:00PM) every night. However the balcony is accessible only till 22:00 (10:00PM) and the last admission to the balcony is at 21:30 (9:30PM), so only the first 2 Sound & Light shows can be seen from the balcony.
BRUSSELS FLOWER CARPET TICKETS - 2022 UPDATE
Entry Ticket to Balcony: €7
Available to buy online on their official website of Flower Carpet Brussels close to the event date.
Available to buy online on their official website of Flower Carpet Brussels close to the event date.
BRUSSELS FLOWER CARPET 2022 DATES - 12th to 15th August 2022
HOW TO REACH BRUSSELS FLOWER CARPET (GRAND PLACE BRUSSELS)
Nearest Metro Station: Gare de Bruxelles-Central
Nearest Tram stop: Bourse
Nearest Bus stops: Beursplein, Plattesteen, Parlement Bruxellois, Gare Centrale
Nearest Tram stop: Bourse
Nearest Bus stops: Beursplein, Plattesteen, Parlement Bruxellois, Gare Centrale
Truly Amazing
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing flower show in Brussels! I didn't realize that these were live flowers and the light show as well. How long does the event last? That is awesome how it transforms from day and night.
ReplyDeletePinning this for future, as the flower carpet is definitely one of the things that I want to see, till the time am in the UK.Beautiful photos, which have captured the soul of the event.
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible event! It reminds me of the Infiorata festivals we have here in Italy. The night shots with the buildings all lit up are so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWow - that looks stunning! I've never seen such a festivity here in the U.S. - so that must be one heck of a experience ! I've seen the flower carpet pictures on instagram but never read a blog post about it and telling their experience.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to show your pics to my mom, she's going to love this! thanks for sharing!
It's lucky to be at the right place at the right time, first in London and then so close by to witness the Flower Carpet 2018 in Brussels, Belgium. I have heard about this for the first time and its looks spectacular. The lights add on to the ambience and enhance the effects. I got reminded of flower Rangolis in India, made from colour and flowers or even a combination of the two, during festivals and celebrations.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful festival with the beauty of those flowers. Would live to be in Brussels to witness this unique festival. Looks spectacular at night as well with those buildings all lit up. The Mexican theme must be unique as well. Amar. Singh.
ReplyDeleteI love flowers and so I can imagine how beautiful this Flower carpet festival must be in Belgium. Also it is accompanied by colorful light and laser show, which adds more charm to it. I never knew of this festival before and would love to visit next year. Good to know that Belgium is largest producer of Begonia.
ReplyDeleteThis trip looks so epic! Such a beautiful part of the world. Fantastic list of things to do which I will be adding to my list of things to do when I go there someday! You shared awesome places and pictures also.
ReplyDeleteI am amazed at this vast beautiful flower carpet. It takes huge efforts and planning to present with a theme wise flower carpet. This reminds me of the large street rangoli decoration in Kolkata, this last Durga Puja.
ReplyDeleteIt looks amazingly! I can't imagine the pressure and time they consumes in making this layout, and of course the cost! Does they all have scent?
ReplyDeleteOh, I am kinda in love is light installations and now I have see the one from Brussels. Beautiful. Good enough of the reason carry the tripod.
ReplyDeleteOh i missed out on brussels when I was in Belgium. look great specially the night lights! I did went to Brudge though, can't wait to go back!
ReplyDeleteAnna
This is just beautiful. I would travel to Brussels just to see the flower carpet. Amazing!
ReplyDeleteOh wow! That is quite stunning and I would love to visit Brussels just for this. Also, I am a bit jealous that you live just 20 mins away from where this even happens
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