A race for senior citizens through the capital of Belgium, Tintin's anniversary, autumnal heatwaves and more... Here is The Brussels Times' weekly round-up of positive news stories to get your weekend off to the right start.
Today's positive pick
Residents from 11 Belgian care homes once again took part in a race across Brussels on Tuesday afternoon in a bid to win the coveted Mel'Express trophy.
This is the third year of Mel'Express, which is organised each year by the Mélopée residential care home in Molenbeek and based on the popular Flemish game show, 'Peking Express'.
"The idea first came about during the Covid-19 crisis when everyone was stuck inside," the event's spokesperson, Lieve Van Boxem, told The Brussels Times. "The first year we did it inside with just one care home, the second year four took part, and this year ten homes from around Brussels and one in Charleroi in Wallonia participated."
Racing back in time
In total, 57 residents from the Korian Group's participating care homes (Les Pléiades, Exclusiv, La Cambre, Bellevue, Saphir, Aux Deux Parcs, Romana, Arcus, Paloke, Mélopée and L'Arche de Vie) participated and split into teams of six, accompanied by around 70 volunteers and staff members.
They made their way around the Belgian capital in specially-equipped vans, completing all kinds of tasks as they went, "giving them the opportunity to see the city of Brussels again and all the areas they had lived or worked in before," explained Lieve. "In recent years, the initiative proved to be a real nostalgia trip through Brussels," said Mélopée's Félix Simon in a press release.
"We organise the race mainly so that the participants can have fun and we can boost their team spirit. Moreover, Mel'Express fits perfectly within our care framework, because the various thinking and doing tasks stimulate spatial and temporal orientation as well as the cognitive functions of the residents."
Credit: Lieve Van Boxem / Mel'Express
The seniors set off from Parc Cinquantenaire at 14:00, fiercely representing their respective residences, and followed an exciting route through the city. They earned points for completing a series of challenges, such as solving rebuses, orientation tasks and treasure hunts for hidden objects.
The teams passed the Royal Palace and the European Parliament, before heading to the beautiful Berseels Castle. They completed another five challenges in the castle grounds and finished at the spectacular Seneffe Castle at 19:00 with one final challenge, a refreshing drink and a bite to eat.
'A truly special day'
At the end of the day, the scores were in and the winning team received a trophy. All participants also received a medal for their enthusiastic efforts.
Mélopée resident Irene participated in both previous editions and was delighted to take part once again this year, describing it as "the most wonderful day I have had since being at the care home."
"It was a truly special day for both the residents and organisers," Lieve added. "Everyone was very happy and on top form. They really enjoyed it, despite it being a very hot day!"
Credit: Lieve Van Boxem / Mel'Express
Other stories from this week to make you smile:
1. Belgian family business pioneers new bricks that absorb CO2
The family-run brickwork business Vandersanden has created CO2-negative facing bricks that necessitate fewer raw materials and absorb carbon dioxide rather than produce it – a world first. Read more here.
2. 'For the ages of 7 to 77!': Tintin publisher celebrates 77th anniversary
The comic book publisher Le Lombard best known for publishing Hergé's world-famous Tintin celebrates its 77th anniversary this month. Read more here.
3. Ryanair CEO pied in the face outside the EU Commission
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary was struck with a cream pie in the face outside the European Commission in Brussels as he attempted to carry out a publicity stunt. Read more here.
4. It's official: Belgium experiencing heatwave in September
This marks the second heatwave Belgium has experienced this year – the first lasted from 8 to 17 June – but possibly also the first time the country has recorded a heatwave so late on in the year. Read more here.
5. BD Comic Strip Festival in Brussels this weekend
The annual BD Comic Strip Festival arrives on Friday at Brussels' Tour & Taxis district. This year's three-day festival promises to be bigger than ever. Read more here.
