After a four-year hiatus, the 24 Hours of Belgium Puzzle Championship returned to Hannut in Liège this weekend.
The annual event was put on hold for four years following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. It returned in all its glory this weekend, with 126 international teams taking part in the 24-hour long puzzle bonanza.
During the 24 hours, contestants assemble as many puzzles as possible, aiming to beat the 2019 record of 24,119 pieces put together.
The championship began on Saturday afternoon at Hannut’s covered market and wrapped up at 16:00 on Sunday.
Credit: Belga / Didier de Hoe
A team from Greece took part for the first time, joining others from Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Czechia and Portugal.
"We also have competitors from Ukraine and Russia," organiser Thomas Matelart told Belga News Agency.
Competitors from these countries are being kept separate for safety reasons but Matelart explained that both sides have committed to focusing on the competition and avoiding any politically motivated incidents.
Just like in the Olympics, Russian teams cannot display their national symbols.
The Ukrainian team. Credit: Belga / Didier de Hoe
The 24 Hours of Belgium Puzzle Championship was founded in 1985 to raise funds for La Passerelle, a residential service for adults with disabilities.
Proceeds now also benefit Inter-Actions, a support service, and La Croisette, a meeting and reception space.
"The event did not take place from 2020 to 2023 due to the health crisis, the post-Covid period and our organisation’s restructuring," said Matelart.
