Brussels' Iris Festival returns after two-year hiatus

After a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Iris Festival will be back on the weekend of 7 and 8 May to celebrate the 33-year existence of the Brussels Capital Region. The 33rd anniversary will be celebrated with a well-filled programme of activities to discover the Belgian and European capital.

In 1989, the Brussels Capital Region was established as the third region in Belgium with its own regional government, following Flanders and Wallonia ​ (established as regions in 1980). The Iris Festival commemorates the birth of the Brussels Capital Region every year on the 8th of May – with the exception of 2020 and 2021, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

With most sanitary restrictions lifted, the event can once again take place this spring. A new aspect was added to this year’s celebration: the event “100 years of garden suburbs in the Brussels-Capital Region”. As part of the centenary celebrations, free guided tours will be organised on Saturday to discover this heritage and its history in sixteen different Brussels communes.

A new aspect was added to this year’s celebration: the event “100 years of garden suburbs in the Brussels-Capital Region”.

On the occasion of Europe Day, European institutions will on Saturday open their doors for visitors to find out more about the role Europe plays. The first day of the Iris Festival on Saturday will be concluded with ‘Electro Night’.

A second novelty presents itself on Sunday: Iris Food Corner, a foodtruck festival with around 40 participating foodtrucks. In addition, the traditional park festival will take place in the Warande Park. Four themed villages will be set up there and several acrobatic and circus-like street acts will take place in the area.

Finally, public transport company MIVB/STIB will exhibit its history with a “tram parade” in the Koningsstraat/Rue Royale. This parade will bring an overview of the entire history of trams in Brussels, from the first horse-drawn carriages to the latest modern-day trams. Anyone who is interested, will be allowed get on board.

(BRV)

Illustration picture shows the 2019 Iris Festival, the last edition to take place before a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK