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A repetition for the Meyboom Celebrations was held today at the Grand Place a week ahead of the official date of the 9th of August. This is the longest lasting folkloric tradition of the city of Brussels held yearly since 1213 and celebrating it’s 693rd edition. The celebration features a procession of eight colorful costumed giants and a marching band on its journey from the Place du Sablon to the Grand Place.

itinerary of the Meyboom celebrations procession:

View Larger Map

Photos of the Meyboom 2008 repetition:

Start of the procession

Giants arriving

Marching Band

Parading around at the Grand Place

The Giants:

Boma

Bompa

Roseke

Baby Giant

Janneke

Mieke

Pietje

Tags: grand place, Meyboom

While I was passing by the Grand Place today I noticed a large crowd gathered and some sort of police demonstration that was going on and decide to take some photos of the event that was already well underway. It was in fact the annual “fastes de la police de Bruxelles Capitale” event that celebrates the Police of Brussels.

The Belgian Police had just received a new motorcycle to gradually replace their old BMW’s that were proudly on display during the show.

View from the back

The motorcycle Police started doing some stunts with their bikes

Impressive display rolling by of 10 police officers on 3 bikes

Back view as they go by

Both feet on the seat

one foot on the seat and another in the air

Seen from the side

Now few stunts with feet On the side

La brigade canine de Bruxelles or in English the Brussels K9 Brigade had their own little display of force.

Dog going for the jump

Powerful K9 Jaws in action

This time the Intervention is on a car with at first one dog

Then another on the suspect destabilizing its victim

The show Ended with a Parade

Tags: bruxelles, fastes de la police de Bruxelles, grand place, k9 brigade, motorcycle police

Here are some details of the statues on the roof and dome of the Roi d’Espagne café in the Grand Place of Brussels. Location is hard to miss since it’s right in the historical center of the city.

 

The statue on top of the dome is a gilded weather vane representing Fame

Being originally an old bakers guild built by architect and sculptor Jean Cosyns each of the six statues on the roof symbolize one of the six needed items to make bread which are in order left to right: Strength, wheat, wind, fire, water and foresight.

Tags: brussels, bruxelles, grand place, Grote Markt, Jean Cosyns, Roi d'Espagne

Opened not even a week ago I decided to go for a little stroll this afternoon along the Brussels Christmas market (marché de Noel).For those of you who might be interested it’s opened until the 1st of January this year.

My first stop at the Grand place of Brussels which is for those of you who never been here the center of the town.

Thats once again quite a Christmas tree they managed to get this year

The town hall has also been decorated with its very own blue Christmas lights

Nativity scene

Wow the baby Jesus made it early this year

Leaving the Grand Place and going along the Stock exchange is where the market starts here at a hot chocolate stand

wooden toys

This one specializing in all types of dry sausages

Toy figurines

Pancakes anyone?

Belgian waffles or pies sold here

Warm spiced wine (glühwein) served with tartiflette savoyarde which is French specialty dish made of pork meat, potatoes & cheese

Now at St. Catherine square the Christmas market continues where this years guest host the Reunion Island is featured

Here is where the main portion of the Christmas market is at the ‘marché au poissons’ or old fish market

Famous soap products from the Southern region of France and the city of Marseille

Russian arts and crafts

Another sausage vendors

Carousel with a view of the ferris wheel in the back

ice rink where one can rent his skates

Lamps made out of Salt sold here

it’s a pretty long Christmas market at this location as it goes on both sides of the old fish market

The ferris wheel from closer up

Various kinds of Foie gras sold here which is made of duck liver

View of the other side of the marché au poissons

One side church of St. Catherine seen from the Christmas market

More for the dry sausage lovers

Here you can see if you zoom in of what the tartiflette is actually made of since a big batch is being cooked and tasted by the Chef

Here is the forty meter long ice monster for kids

Tags: brussels, bruxelles, christmas market, grand place, marché de noel