Japanese culture blooms in Brussels' Grand Place for 160 years of bilateral ties

The Grand Place in Brussels is currently adorned with its spectacular 24th 'Tapis de Fleurs' (Flower Carpet), an event held every two years. This year's breathtaking display celebrates the 160th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Belgium and Japan, transforming the historic square into a vibrant homage to Japanese culture.

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This year we have decided to work with a Japanese designer who has made his interpretation of the famous wave, which is seen a bit everywhere in Japan. In the background, Mount Fuji can be seen.

The centerpiece of the carpet is a stunning rendition of Katsushika Hokusai's iconic woodblock print, "The Great Wave off Kanagawa." Japanese artist Hiro Sugiyama, a professor at Kyoto University of Art, interpreted the famous artwork, incorporating traditional Japanese symbols. The design features the 'ichimatsu' pattern along the top and bottom borders, symbolizing infinite continuity and prosperity, and 'kumiko ranma' on the sides, a traditional wooden craft.

This monumental floral artwork, covering nearly 1,300 square meters, is composed of approximately 750,000 begonias in various colors. The creation of the carpet involved around 150 volunteers from across the globe. The flowers were harvested the day before, kept in cold storage overnight, and transported from northern Belgium to be meticulously arranged over more than six hours in the heart of the Grand Place.

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Today people have been queuing for an hour and a half. I cannot say how many people there are, but what I can say is that I have never seen so many people and I have a lot of experience with this subject.

Organizers noted a significant surge in visitors, with many queuing for extended periods to witness the display. Doris Forster, an administrator, commented on the unprecedented crowds, stating she had never seen so many people at the event. The immense popularity is attributed to the growing global interest in Japan. The carpet will be on view until Sunday, August 16th, with paid access available to the balcony of the Brussels Town Hall for elevated views.

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it is a great honor that his country was the guest of honor of the floral carpet