Flowertime 2017: summery flower magic in the heart of Brussels

Brussels, 11 May 2017 - Over 100,000 flowers, 19 first-class Belgian florists, 13 historic rooms, three flower and vegetable carpets on the Grand Place and some hidden pieces of juicy fruit. These are the main ingredients of the third edition of Flowertime. This year the biennial Brussels celebration of floral art will adorn the Grand Place and Brussels City Hall from 11 to 15 August. The Flowernights are a new addition. During this evening event visitors can enjoy exquisite culinary delights by a Belgian Masterchef entirely in the spirit of the event.

Flowers and fruit in the heart of Brussels

Exceptionally the rooms of Brussels City Hall will be open to the public from 11 to 15 August 2017, and will not only be filled with the scent of flowers but also succulent fruit and even vegetables. This is because the theme of this edition of Flowertime, a colourful cocktail that instantly creates a summer atmosphere, is 'flowers and fruit'. 

"This year, the theme is a wink to the urban gardening and farming trend that is increasingly emerging in major cities. Not all residents of a large city like Brussels have a garden, but do show an interest in gardening. Urban farms and gardens are expanding to become places for new encounters. Flowertime combines all these elements in a single event," explains the organisation of the Brussels Flower Carpet. "And naturally it is also a highly rewarding theme for our florists. They can have a ball with the surprising textures, scents and colours of the fruit."

The 19 floral artists participating this year include a lot of young, up-and-coming Belgian talent who will surprise visitors with unusual floral creations and decorations. In addition, several big names such as Mark Colle, Tom Nackaerts, Ness Klorofyl and Chantal Post, will be present once more. As in previous editions of Flowertime Ghent Floralies will be responsible for the artistic layout.

Flower and vegetable carpets on the Grand Place

As always, the Flowertime experience starts on the Grand Place. This year's eye-catcher comprises the three small flower and vegetable carpets that organisers will create with 60 children of all ages during the opening of the event on Friday 11 August 2017. Children (aged 5 and over) that want to participate, can put themselves forward as candidates at the beginning of July via [email protected]. More information will follow soon.

The carpets can be admired up to and including Tuesday 15 August 2017. Anyone eager to do so with a tasty snack or drink in hand, can visit one of the surrounding Flowertime market stalls. 

New: Flowernights

This year visitors will also have the opportunity to explore Flowertime in an unusual manner on the evenings of 12, 13, 14 and 15 August. During the ‘Flowernights’ they can indulge all their senses in the fairytale spectacle in the City Hall. The dozens of floral artworks can naturally be admired in all their scented and colourful glory. However, the taste buds will not believe their luck either with the floral tasting menu, designed especially for the occasion by Belgian Masterchef and kitchen gardener, Claude Pohlig. And lastly, the ears will be treated to several classical concerts. These will be performed by promising young musicians from the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, selected by the renowned musicians Hugues Navez and Grégoire Dune. In short, a total experience not to be missed! 

Tickets for Flowernights can be ordered online as of today via www.flowertime.be. Please note: places are limited. 

Flowertime will be backed by three renowned organisations:

PRACTICAL INFORMATIONS

8, 9, 10 and 11 August 2017: exhibition assembly

  • Only by appointment and exclusively for journalists: meet with the organisers, possibility of attending Flowertime's assembly. 

11 August 2017: press day and opening to the public

  • From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.: press session. The florists put the final touches to the exhibition. On the Grand Place 60 children will lay three flower and vegetable carpets. 
  • The press can meet the organisers and florists the entire morning. Please submit your interview questions in advance to [email protected].
  • At 1 p.m. the exhibition opens to the public, until 7 p.m. (last entry at 6.30 p.m.)
  • 7.30 p.m.: official inauguration of Flowertime 2017 (by invitation only).

12, 13, 14 and 15 August 2017: Flowertime & Flowernights 

  • Regular exhibition visit: the exhibition is accessible from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (last entry at 9.30 p.m.).
  • Flowernights: from 7.30 p.m. to 10 p.m. (last entry at 9 p.m.), evening event with a floral tasting menu by Masterchef Claude Pohlig.

Tickets 

Regular exhibition visit: 

  • Price: 7 euro (free access to the Grand Place). 
  • Advance purchase online via www.flowertime.be and on the day itself at the entrance desk.
  • Free entry: for children younger than ten years old.
  • Groups as of 15 persons: mail [email protected]

Flowernights (evening event with a floral tasting menu):

Press-file-Flowertime-2017.docx

DOCX - 335 Kb

Alexandra Curelea

Voice Agency

Laure Vandeghinste

Voice Agency

About Flower Carpet

The Brussels Flower Carpet is a biennial initiative that was launched by the City of Brussels and the ASBL (non-profit organisation) Tapis de Fleurs de Bruxelles. The Flower Carpet, which has been running since 1971, attracts tens of thousands of visitors to the Grand Place and has become a true point of reference around the world. Since 2013 it is organised in alternation with Flowertime, a major international plant and flower arranging event inside Brussels City Hall. 

Contact

City Hall, Grand-Place, 1000 Brussels

+32485829652

[email protected]

www.flowertime.be