Though the biennial magnificent flower carpet will not be created on Brussels' Grand Place this year, fans of the floral exhibition will be pleased to discover alternative floral arrangements decorating City Hall from 11 to 15 August.
After a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the world-famous flower carpet returned to the cobblestones of the Grand Place in Brussels last August, attracting tens of thousands of spectators. Not due to be recreated until next year, the fifth edition of Flowertime will instead take place, with top international floral artists decorating the original City Hall – a UNESCO World Heritage Site on Grand Place.
Flowers in the city hall in 2019. Credit: Belga/ Benoit Doppagne
Floral artists from around the world will decorate the emblematic City Hall with beautiful arrangements and floral creations with the aim of "transforming the building into a giant bouquet," explained Delphine Houba, City Councillor for Culture and Tourism.
Magical tour
The entire enchanting building will be transformed into an idyllic garden with dozens of floral arrangements, from the entry hall and the corridors to the offices, meeting and reception rooms.
A tour of the city hall will last around 45 minutes, taking in the Mayor's Office and the Temporary Council Chamber. Organisers hope the display will surprise visitors, who will be able to climb the City Hall tower to enjoy a 360° panoramic view.
The 2017 edition of the biennial 'Flowertime' event. Credit: Belga/ Benoit Doppagne
This year's theme pays tribute to Belgian surrealism and marks the 125th anniversary of the birth of Belgian artist René Magritte with oversize reproductions of iconic characters from his paintings to adorn facades around the city.
Credit: Flowertime
"Brussels is the cradle of surrealism and its global appeal. Flowertime brings this heritage back to life this year," said Houba.
The third edition of the 'Brussels in Bloom' flower trail will run alongside this event – an initiative created during the pandemic that decorates the streets around the Grand Place from 1 to 15 August.
For more information and get tickets see here.
