National Day parade highlights power of international collaboration

The traditional military and civil parade on National Day, which took place on Sunday afternoon in Brussels, this year highlighted the power of international collaboration.

Fighter planes from the Belgian army first coloured the cloudy sky with the colours of the Belgian flag, opening the parade as tradition dictates. The ceremony started at 16.00 and lasted more than 90 minutes.

This year's edition highlighted the strong bonds with international partners. To celebrate NATO's 75th anniversary, a NATO detachment participated in the parade. Military personnel from all 32 member states, including newest allies Finland and Sweden, marched alongside Belgian troops. The NATO AWACS aircraft also featured in the air parade.

In addition, a mixed detachment of 16 Belgian and 16 Benin military personnel paraded in honour of the 25-year partnership between the two countries. The same detachment will soon take part in Benin’s independence celebrations on 1 August in Cotonou, the largest city in the West African country.

^{The military and civil parade on Belgium's National Day, in Brussels, 21 July 2024 © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK}