75,000 visitors flock to Bruges light show 'Belfort Vertelt'

Bruges' Belfort tower transformed into a nightly spectacle, 'Belfort Vertelt,' drew an impressive crowd of around 75,000 visitors during its 11-day run from July 1 to July 11. The sound and light show, which played each evening at 10:45 PM, recounted the city's history from the Burgundian era to the present day.

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Yesterday, July 11, was a top day. In total, 10,000 people were in the market.

Roeland Van Den Driessche, coordinator of the 11 July-Komitee, described the final day, July 11, as a "top day," with 10,000 people gathering in the market square. The show featured dramatic historical moments, including the execution of Pieter Lanchals and the demolition of the Sint-Donaas Cathedral, alongside scenes of the city's liberation. Van Den Driessche noted the positive reception from residents, many of whom learned new details about their city's past.

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We received many reactions from Bruges residents that they did not know certain elements yet, so that is nice.

Despite facing competition from the Red Devils' football matches on two occasions, the organizers were pleased with the turnout, which matched last year's attendance. The success of 'Belfort Vertelt' has prompted discussions about a potential third edition. However, upcoming renovations to the Belfort tower, which may involve scaffolding, could complicate future projections. The team plans to rest before reconvening to discuss possibilities for next year.

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We are very happy with the turnout. We were able to attract about as many people to the performance as last year. The circumstances were different, though. Now we had to compete twice with the Red Devils. 2 matches were right in the middle of our light show. But even on those days, the market did not remain empty.