Yearly Hyacinth Festival in Hallerbos begins

The Hyacinth Festival in the Halle woods opened on Saturday. Every spring it attracts thousands of people who enjoy seeing the purple flowers cover the forest floor.

The city of Halle and the Agency for Nature and Forests provide free bus connections from the station to the forest, with forest rangers and volunteers greeting the thousands of visitors.

“I inform people if they have questions about the forest. I also try to make sure people stay on the path," says forest ranger Thomas Boonen. "Many people want to take a close-up photo, but it's very important that the hyacinths and other flowers are not trampled. That's why we have also placed ropes in the most important places.”

Between 60,000 and 80,000 visitors are expected to admire the flowers this year. Frans Vanwinghe has volunteered in the Hallerbos for years. "The visitors come from all over," he says. "This morning there were people from Estonia. Last week there were Colombians, as well as people from the Czech Republic, Bulgarians, and occasionally a few Flemish people."

Free shuttle buses between the station and the Hallerbos are available on April 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30 and on May 1, from 9.00 to 20.00.

(MOH)

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