Intangible Heritage

This event of Brussels living heritage event joined the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list with a series of similar events in Belgium and France under the title "Processional giants and dragons in Belgium and France". These events are considered to "encompass an original ensemble of festive popular manifestations and ritual representations". "They represent mythical heroes or animals, contemporary local figures, historical, biblical or legendary characters or trades."

The Meyboom, which consists of planting a tree at a crossroads, is a tradition whose origins date back to the 13^th century. It is said that this tradition came about after a dispute between the towns of Brussels and Leuven about collecting taxes on beer. The people of Brussels gained the upper hand and received the privilege of planting a tree every 9^th August before 5 pm. without which the privilege would be handed over to its rival Leuven!

The traditions linked with the beer culture, known as “barley wine”, are famous throughout Belgium, which has some 200 breweries and 2,500 varieties of beer. The country is especially famous for its Trappist beers, which were again produced in the abbeys after the country gained its independence in 1830, because the new and very progressive constitution allowed the religious establishments that had been closed at the time of the French revolution to reopen.

Brussels has not been left behind. The Brewers’ Guild has occupied a house on the Grand-Place since the 17^th century. And the very same building now houses the headquarters of the Belgian Brewers Federation.

It was also in Brussels that the Cantillon brewery was founded in 1900. This brewery produces a unique beer, Gueuze Lambic, which is made using a spontaneous fermentation process; the Senne valley is the only place in the world where this beer is produced!

UNESCO considers that the beer culture plays an important role in the daily life of the country as well as at festive occasions: this is particularly true in the capital! Brussels hosts numerous festivals centred around beer, and has an ever increasing number of micro-breweries and breweries producing craft and/or experimental beer.

Firmly rooted in the hearts and minds of Brussels inhabitants, the Ommegang is now one of the must-attend events of the capital's summer season. It takes place every year at the end of June or at the very beginning of July and consists of a parade and a show inspired by an ancient event: the Ommegang that the City of Brussels organised in 1549, an opportunity for our sovereign Charles V to present his son and successor Philip (later Philip II).

Ommegang means "tour" in Dutch, and originally refers to a procession of the clergy who went around their parish to show off their relics and other objects of devotion. It later became a social and political procession.

After a decline in the 18^th and 19^th centuries, the Ommegang regained its former splendour on 15 June 1930, mainly on the initiative of Albert Marinus. Since that day, it has been held over two summer evenings every year, offering several magical moments spread over numerous sites: a crossbow shooting competition and a ceremony at the Church of Our Lady of the Sablon; a 2-kilometre procession - the part specifically recognised by UNESCO - accessible free of charge; and a two-hour paid show on the Grand-Place, featuring 1,400 extras and 47 folklore groups. Last but not least, a "Renaissance Village" immerses you, for four days, in the atmosphere of the 16^th century!

This traditional form of theatre – in which the puppets are manipulated using metal rods attached to their heads and bodies – has its origins in the travelling fairground theatre shows of the Renaissance. In Brussels, if you want to enjoy this type of theatre, you must visit the Théâtre Royal de Toone, a veritable institution in the capital that was founded around the same time as Belgium itself. Nestled in a picturesque cul-de-sac near the Grand-Place, this establishment has an impressive collection of puppets, which are still crafted and maintained by artisans today. The plays performed there are based on stories of chivalry, biblical scenes and popular novels – Dracula, for example. Strongly tinged with the local sense of humour – known as zwanze – they use the Brussels dialect but can also be adapted into English, Spanish, Italian and German. The venue also has a charming cafe.