Antwerp receives over 200,000 visitors for Bollekesfeest

Over 200,000 people visited the three-day Bollekesfeest in Antwerp at the weekend, traditionally the city's closing cultural event of the summer.

"The weather gods were favourable to us," said Antwerp mayor Bart De Wever (N-VA), who kicked off the party on Friday night at the beer tap installation on the Grote Markt with his council. "The Bollekesfeest could count on radiant sunshine, which was clearly to the liking of our citizens and visitors."

This year's event was spread across three squares in the historic centre. On the Grote Markt, a musical programme included Metejoor, Sylver and Aaron Blommaert. The Steenplein featured food trucks, a fish market, DJ performances and salsa dancing. At the Groenplaats, there was a local produce market. Over three days, 50 barrels of local beer Bolleke, after which the festival is named, and 150 barrels of other beers were poured.

The Bollekesfeest has been Antwerp's closing summer event in the past, but this year the Giants of the French street theatre company Royal de Luxe will parade through the city next weekend.

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