While most people in Belgium already paid tribute to their mothers months ago (on the second Sunday in May), Antwerp waits until 15 August (today) to celebrate Mother's Day, which also happens to be Assumption Day.
From Belgium, the United States and Brazil to Bangladesh and China, Mother's Day falls on the second Sunday in May. But one part of Belgium does things differently.
In the northeastern part of the country, the Flemish say "in de bloemetjes gezet" (literally translated "put in the flowers") to mothers on 15 August, which is also Assumption Day – a national holiday.
Antwerp precedes today's tradition
Antwerp's designated day for mothers predates the date observed in the rest of the country. It was United States President Woodrow Wilson who decided on the date that today is recognised around the world as Mother's Day.
Wilson announced in 1914 that every second Sunday in May would be a new bank holiday to honour mothers, a tradition that later spread to Europe and took root in Belgium in the 1920s.
But not in Antwerp, where a Mother's Day had been established in 1913 when Frans Van Kuyck, a liberal councillor at the time, wrote in his pamphlet "The Mother's Day", which said that all mothers should be honoured on 15 August to restore the dignity of the family and observe the importance of mothers in society more widely.
Religious nature
Antwerp takes its lead for Mother's Day from Assumption Day, the name day of Mary mother of Jesus. She is also the patron saint of Antwerp since 1124.
Antwerp holds the Marian procession on 14 August, the eve of Mother's Day. This year was a special occasion as it marked 900 years since Mary was appointed the city's patron saint.
A century-old statue of the Virgin Mary was carried through the streets on Wednesday 15 August. Credit: Belga/ Tijs Vanderstappen
The annual procession saw the iconic statue of Mary – which weighs 200 kilograms – carried from the cathedral through the city, accompanied by the Antwerp city drummers. Hundreds of faithful lined the streets to watch. After the procession, a Mass took place in the cathedral. On Thursday, the cathedral will be open all day free of charge and the statue of Mary will be prominently displayed.
However, most people in the area mark the day with the Mother's Day Breakfast. Families come together in the morning and surprise mothers with breakfast in bed, which often consists of waffles, fresh strawberries, chocolate rolls and a cup of coffee or tea. Some people in Antwerp choose to honour their mothers twice – once on the second Sunday in May, and once today.
Costa Rica also recognises 15 August as Mother's Day, while Thailand celebrates slightly earlier in the month, on 12 August, as this is the birthday of their Queen Sirikit.
