Flower Carpet of Brussels

What is Flower Carpet of Brussels?

The Flower Carpet of Brussels is a temporary, large-scale floral display laid out on the cobblestones of the Grand-Place. Measuring about 24 by 77 metres, the carpet is made up of hundreds of thousands of tightly packed begonia or dahlia flowers, arranged to form intricate patterns and images based on a chosen theme. The result is a vivid, multi-coloured tapestry that can be viewed up close or admired from above, especially from the Town Hall balcony.

Where does Flower Carpet of Brussels come from?

The tradition began in 1971, started by landscape architect Etienne Stautemans from Ghent, who wanted to showcase his skills. Its popularity led to the founding of a non-profit group to organise the event regularly. Since 1986, the carpet has been created every two years, with each edition reflecting a different theme. The event is now recognised as part of the intangible cultural heritage of the Brussels-Capital Region, and there is an ongoing effort to have it listed by UNESCO.

How Flower Carpet of Brussels is made

Planning for each Flower Carpet starts two years in advance, with organisers selecting a theme and designing the layout. Horticulturists from the Ghent area grow the required flowers, mainly begonias and sometimes dahlias. On the day of assembly, around 120 volunteers work together to place up to 750,000 flowers onto a prepared mat, following a life-sized drawing. The entire process takes between four and eight hours, resulting in a carpet that covers 1,800 square metres.

When and where Flower Carpet of Brussels is used

The carpet is displayed for several days in August, timed with the holiday of Assumption. Visitors can walk around the Grand-Place to see the carpet up close, and for a fee, view it from the Town Hall balcony. The event often includes music, light shows, and other cultural activities, attracting large crowds from Belgium and around the world.

Forms of Flower Carpet of Brussels

Each edition of the Flower Carpet has a unique theme, ranging from Belgian history and local symbols to international cultures like Japan, Mexico, and Turkey. Some years, the design has featured national emblems, famous artworks, or patterns inspired by different countries. While begonias are the main flower, dahlias have been used for certain themes, such as in 2018 and 2024.

What Flower Carpet of Brussels means

The Flower Carpet is a major cultural event in Brussels, drawing up to 200,000 visitors. Its themes often celebrate Belgian heritage or international friendship, and it has included tributes to historical events, art styles, and communities. The event is officially recognised as part of Brussels’ intangible heritage and is seeking UNESCO status.

The flowers of Flower Carpet of Brussels

DahliaA bushy perennial with tuberous roots and bright, star-shaped bloomsBegoniaA vast group of colourful, shade-loving flowering plants from warm climatesRed dahliaA Mexican dahlia with red, orange or yellow bloomsTree dahliaA towering dahlia with lavender-pink flowers from the mountains of Central AmericaBegonia × tuberhybridaHybrid begonias grown for their large, colourful flowers from tubersGarden dahliaA showy perennial with pink to deep purple blooms, grown in gardens worldwide

Where to see Flower Carpet of Brussels

🇧🇪 Brussels · AugustThe Flower Carpet on the Grand-PlaceEvery second August, volunteers lay a carpet of begonia flowers across the paving of the main square of Brussels.

Questions people ask about Flower Carpet of Brussels

Good reading and sources

• Belgium: When 750,000 begonia flowers come to Brussels' main squareLos Angeles Times, Article

• Flower Carpet (Brussels) on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data