Brussels, (Brussels Morning)- This weekend, the Brussels Region is celebrating the iris, the meadow flower, which has been chosen as the symbol of the Brussels-Capital Region. The Brussels Region is blowing out 33 candles. The whole weekend is devoted to political lectures and festive events, said BRUZZ.
In addition to a program of festivities and activities open to the public, it is also an opportunity for Brussels politicians to welcome their federal, Flemish and Walloon colleagues during a ceremony.
After a two-year break due to the pandemic, an estimated 650 guests will be welcomed. These are ministers and representatives of the federal state and the other regions. For once, the event – which will take place in the Hall of Mirrors of the Brussels Parliament – will take place outside the city, at the Hôtel de la Poste at Thurn et Taxis.
At each edition, the Brussels government and parliament take the opportunity to highlight the recent achievements, but also the challenges and ambitions of the Capital Region. It is also often the ideal moment for the Prime Minister and/or the Speaker of the Parliament to express expectations for the future of the region.
By 2024, new changes in the country’s institutional organisation are imminent. The Speaker of the Parliament, Rachid Madrane (PS), will formulate a request to save Brussels from a risk of getting bogged down in the institutional morass.
Festive program
There is also plenty to do on a cultural level . The first day of the Iris Festival will be concluded on Saturday with the Electro Night. On Sunday there will be a second novelty: Iris Food Corner, a food truck festival with about 40 participating food trucks.
In addition, the traditional park festival takes place in the Warande Park. Four themed villages are set up there and several acrobatic and circus-like street acts take place in the area.
Finally, the STIB transport company can exhibit its history during a tram parade on Koningsstraat. It will be an overview of the history of the horse-drawn carriage to the latest tram, where anyone who wants to can also come on board.
There will also be an Iris Festival in New York this year for the first time . Initiators Hub.brussels and the city of Brussels chose this ‘vertical farm’ with a view over the Manhattan skyline.
At the event, typical Belgian products such as beer, waffles and chocolate can be tasted, but important Brussels companies are also promoted
The majority parties in the Brussels Parliament — Open Vld, Défi, PS, One.Brussels, Groen and Ecolo — have made it clear in a resolution that they want to make May 8 a legal and paid holiday again.
“As a legal, paid holiday, May 8 can thus become a day on which we celebrate our democracy, our freedoms and rights and think about how we can improve our free society. Because a legal holiday gives people time to reflect on a particular theme or pivotal moment,” the resolution reads.
