Brussels Flower Carpet 2012
This August, the ancient cobble stones of Brussels’ Grand Place will again be covered by a vividly coloured Flower Carpet.
Following months of planning and design, including calculation of the number of required flowers, the completed masterpiece will be ready from 10pm on 14 August. In the run up to opening night, volunteers will gently place approximately 750,000 begonias in a pattern measuring 253ft x 79ft (77m x 24m) - in about 4 hours' intense work.
Viewing is completely free and visitors can wander round all four sides of the carpet, but get the very best view (and superb photos) of this biennial floral fest from the balcony of the adjacent Town Hall.
Address: Grand Place, Brussels
More information: http://www.flowercarpet.be/site/main.php?lg=en
Liege launches Tour de France 2012
This year the official start to the world’s greatest cycle race, the Tour de France, will take place in Liege. It won’t be a first for the historic city, as the Race also set off from here in 2004, before continuing to Waterloo and Charleroi. For sports fans, this will be an unmissable opportunity to soak up the unique race atmosphere and to get to know the local food and culture via the special events programme.
Address: Parc d’Avroy with route through Liege
More information: http://www.departdutour2012.be/en/node/147
Rock Werchter
For nearly 40 years Rock Werchter has been the must-see music festival in Belgium. Judging by the list of numerous renowned artists who play there, the festival is establishing itself as one of the largest in the world. For four days, Rock Werchter will be welcoming 350,000 music-lovers to a showcase of musical talent on two stages. Among the headliners 2012 will be: Florence + the Machine, Gossip, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Cure, Lana Del Rey, Selah Sue, Garbage, Pearl Jam, Simple Minds, Snow Patrol, Ed Sheeran and James Morrison.
Address: Haachtsesteenweg - 3118 Rotselaar
More information: http://rockwerchter.be/en/
‘Masterpieces in the MAS’ – Art exhibition, Antwerp
This is the title of the inaugural exhibition at the stunning new riverside museum in Antwerp: Museum aan de Stroom (MAS). Exploring five centuries of visual art in Antwerp, the expo traces the evolution of the image from the Middle Ages to the present, bringing together key works from the three main Antwerp museums. See Rubens and Brueghel masterpieces rubbing shoulders with those of more modern artists such as James Ensor, Jan Fabre or Panamarenko.
Address: MAS, Hanzestedenplaats 1, 2000 Antwerp
More information: http://www.mas.be/MAS-EN/Publicatiekanalen/Stad/Musea/Musea-MAS/MAS-EN/Startpagina-MAS-EN.html
Colour Café 2012
Tour and Taxis will be the venue for the 23rd edition of this world and urban music festival featuring Reggae, Salsa, Hip Hop, Rap and Pop. For three days there’ll be the opportunity to enjoy talented international music acts such as Jessie J, Nas, Ben l’Oncle Soul, Jali, Erykah Badu, Buena Vista Social Club, Sean Paul, De La Soul, Ayo and Public Enemy. Join the thousands of festival goers enjoying summer weather and a varied line-up at this beautifully renovated industrial heritage site in central Brussels.
Address: Tour & Taxis, Rue Picard 3, 1000 Brussels
More information: http://www.couleurcafe.be
Battle of Waterloo Re-enactments
Open all round round, the site of Napoleon’s final defeat is situated south of Brussels and accessible by train. The famous 40m tall Lion Mound gives the best Waterloo battlefield views, and a 50 minute English language tour explains where Wellington’s army set up their positions and where the French cavalry charged. Visit the Hougoumont Farm, scene of ferocious fighting from morning to early evening and see the Battle re-enactments every July and August weekend. On 16 and 17 June 2012 the Battle will be commemorated with recreated Napoleonic bivouacs and a market. And coming up in 2015 is the bicentenary of this major historical event.
Address: Route du Lion 315, 1410 Waterloo
More information: http://www.waterloo1815.be/en/home
Beaufort 04, Art on the Belgian Coast
In 2003 an extraordinary modern art exhibition was launched all along the Belgian coast: giant artworks, huge photos displayed in unexpected places and fascinating art installations evoked a range of emotions from visitors to the Belgian seaside. Now in its fourth edition, the Triennial of Contemporary Art ‘by the sea’ has become an unmissable event. This year, international contemporary art confronts the dynamics of Flemish coastal habitats and towns in 30 locations such as De Panne, Ostend, East Dunkirk and Zeebrugge. Artists from all 27 states of the European Union will be inviting visitors to reflect on their fantasy worlds represented by creations in public spaces accessible by the coast tram.
Address: De Panne, Koksijde/East Dunkirk, Nieuwport, Middelkerke/Westende, Ostend, Bredene, De Haan/Wenduine, Blankenberge and Zeebruge
More information: http://beaufort04.be/en
Formula 1, Belgian Grand Prix 2012
Originally designed in 1920, then completely updated in 1979, the popular Spa-Francorchamps track is 4.33 miles (6.973km) long and a top challenge for drivers with its winding turns, slow hairpin bend (La Source) and Eau Rouge-Raidillon combination. Forty-four high speed, exciting laps are certain in the Grand Prix, while the Belgian weather is less so and a touch of rain might just add to the demands made on the F1 drivers this September.
Address: Spa-Francorchamps, Spa
More information: http://www.spagrandprix.com/en/pages/spa-francorchamps-belgium.aspx
Brussels Flower Carpet 2012
This August, the ancient cobble stones of Brussels’ Grand Place will again be covered by a vividly coloured Flower Carpet.
Following months of planning and design, including calculation of the number of required flowers, the completed masterpiece will be ready from 10pm on 14 August. In the run up to opening night, volunteers will gently place approximately 750,000 begonias in a pattern measuring 253ft x 79ft (77m x 24m) - in about 4 hours' intense work.
Viewing is completely free and visitors can wander round all four sides of the carpet, but get the very best view (and superb photos) of this biennial floral fest from the balcony of the adjacent Town Hall.
Liege launches Tour de France 2012
This year the official start to the world’s greatest cycle race, the Tour de France, will take place in Liege. It won’t be a first for the historic city, as the Race also set off from here in 2004, before continuing to Waterloo and Charleroi. For sports fans, this will be an unmissable opportunity to soak up the unique race atmosphere and to get to know the local food and culture via the special events programme.
Rock Werchter
For nearly 40 years Rock Werchter has been the must-see music festival in Belgium. Judging by the list of numerous renowned artists who play there, the festival is establishing itself as one of the largest in the world. For four days, Rock Werchter will be welcoming 350,000 music-lovers to a showcase of musical talent on two stages. Among the headliners 2012 will be: Florence + the Machine, Gossip, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Cure, Lana Del Rey, Selah Sue, Garbage, Pearl Jam, Simple Minds, Snow Patrol, Ed Sheeran and James Morrison.
‘Masterpieces in the MAS’ – Art exhibition, Antwerp
This is the title of the inaugural exhibition at the stunning new riverside museum in Antwerp: Museum aan de Stroom (MAS). Exploring five centuries of visual art in Antwerp, the expo traces the evolution of the image from the Middle Ages to the present, bringing together key works from the three main Antwerp museums. See Rubens and Brueghel masterpieces rubbing shoulders with those of more modern artists such as James Ensor, Jan Fabre or Panamarenko.
Colour Café 2012
Tour and Taxis will be the venue for the 23rd edition of this world and urban music festival featuring Reggae, Salsa, Hip Hop, Rap and Pop. For three days there’ll be the opportunity to enjoy talented international music acts such as Jessie J, Nas, Ben l’Oncle Soul, Jali, Erykah Badu, Buena Vista Social Club, Sean Paul, De La Soul, Ayo and Public Enemy. Join the thousands of festival goers enjoying summer weather and a varied line-up at this beautifully renovated industrial heritage site in central Brussels.
Battle of Waterloo Re-enactments
Open all round round, the site of Napoleon’s final defeat is situated south of Brussels and accessible by train. The famous 40m tall Lion Mound gives the best Waterloo battlefield views, and a 50 minute English language tour explains where Wellington’s army set up their positions and where the French cavalry charged. Visit the Hougoumont Farm, scene of ferocious fighting from morning to early evening and see the Battle re-enactments every July and August weekend. On 16 and 17 June 2012 the Battle will be commemorated with recreated Napoleonic bivouacs and a market. And coming up in 2015 is the bicentenary of this major historical event.
Beaufort 04, Art on the Belgian Coast
In 2003 an extraordinary modern art exhibition was launched all along the Belgian coast: giant artworks, huge photos displayed in unexpected places and fascinating art installations evoked a range of emotions from visitors to the Belgian seaside. Now in its fourth edition, the Triennial of Contemporary Art ‘by the sea’ has become an unmissable event. This year, international contemporary art confronts the dynamics of Flemish coastal habitats and towns in 30 locations such as De Panne, Ostend, East Dunkirk and Zeebrugge. Artists from all 27 states of the European Union will be inviting visitors to reflect on their fantasy worlds represented by creations in public spaces accessible by the coast tram.
Formula 1, Belgian Grand Prix 2012
Originally designed in 1920, then completely updated in 1979, the popular Spa-Francorchamps track is 4.33 miles (6.973km) long and a top challenge for drivers with its winding turns, slow hairpin bend (La Source) and Eau Rouge-Raidillon combination. Forty-four high speed, exciting laps are certain in the Grand Prix, while the Belgian weather is less so and a touch of rain might just add to the demands made on the F1 drivers this September.