Flower Carpet
Flower Carpet is a biennial event in Brussels in which volunteers from around Belgium convene at the Grand Place, the historic center of the city, to weave a carpet-like tapestry out of colorful begonias.[1] The event takes place every other August, coordinating with Assumption Day.[2] Nearly a million flowers are required to create the ephemeral 1,800 square meter carpet.[3]
History
Volunteers create the Flower Carpet tapestry
Landscape architect E. Stautemans initiated the first Flower Carpet in 1971.[4] The event has taken place off and on until the 1990s, when city officials decided to host it every other year, with 2016 marking its 20th occurrence.[5] The tapestry always exhibits begonias, one of Belgium's major exports since 1860.[6]
Themes
Each year of the Flower Carpet, organizers select a theme for inspiration.[2]
- In 2008, the patterns were inspired by 18th-Century French designs and colors.[7]
- In 2010, the designers of the tapestry honored Belgian Herman Van Rompuy, the first president of the European Union, with images of historic Belgian symbols alongside the European Union logo.[8]
- In 2012, the carpet exhibited the colors of Africa, inspired by traditional fabrics and tribal costumes.[9]
- In 2014, the city of Brussels paid tribute to the 50th anniversary of Turkish immigrants[3] by imitating the world-famous kilims.[10] Turks came to Belgium in 1964 when both countries signed a bilateral treaty welcoming immigrants during the economic boom.[10]
Images
References
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