Flower Carpet (Brussels)


The Flower Carpet is a biennial event in Brussels in which volunteers from around Belgium convene at the Grand Place, the historic centre of the city, to weave a carpet-like tapestry out of colorful begonias. The event takes place every other August, coordinating with Assumption Day. Nearly a million flowers are required to create the ephemeral carpet.

History

E. Stautemans initiated the first Flower Carpet in 1971. The year 1986 was the turning point in the holding of this event, which until then had not been regular. The Tapis de Fleurs de Bruxelles Association was then created at the initiative of the City of Brussels in cooperation with the Province de Brabant and Les Franc-Bourgeois. The new association laid down the regulations; the event was to be held every two years, for 3 to 4 days on the weekend of 15 August and could be enhanced by sound and lighting, fireworks, a jazz concert and other traditional folk entertainments. The tapestry always exhibits begonias, one of Belgium's major exports since 1860.

Themes

Each year of the Flower Carpet, organisers select a theme for inspiration.
2016

2018