The Great Wave off Kanagawa washes over Brussels’ Grand-Place

Brussels, Thursday 21 May - From 13 to 16 August 2026, Brussels’ Grand-Place will once transform into a living masterpiece of art - the Flower Carpet. This special edition will celebrate 160 years of diplomatic relations and friendship between Belgium and Japan.

This year, one of the world’s most iconic artworks will be reimagined on a monumental scale: The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Hokusai, recreated using more than 500,000 dahlias covering nearly 1,300 square metres in the heart of the Grand-Place.

Designed by Japanese artist Hiro Sugiyama and his collective Enlightenment, this “Neo-Hokusai” blends the refined aesthetics of traditional ukiyo-e prints with the energy of contemporary art. The result is both a tribute to the power of nature and a celebration of the longstanding ties between Belgium and Japan.

Japan’s return as guest country of honour, ten years after a first successful collaboration in 2016, carries particular significance. According to His Excellency Takeshi Osuga, Ambassador of Japan to Belgium, both countries share a deep cultural connection to flowers and nature: “The love of flowers is a universal language. In both Japan and Belgium, flowers hold a special place within our cultural and social lives.”

The design was created by Hiro Sugiyama, one of the leading figures in Japanese digital art and professor at Kyoto University of the Arts. With “Neo-Hokusai”, he offers a contemporary interpretation of Hokusai’s masterpiece: “I seek to connect past and future, Japanese culture and contemporary art. I am truly delighted to bring Neo-Hokusai to life in the form of a Flower Carpet.” The result is a bold and contemporary composition in which traditional motifs meet modern visual expression.

A second flower carpet at the Bourse

For the first time in the event’s history, a second flower carpet will also be installed at the Brussels Bourse (Stock Exchange) from 13 to 16 August. Inspired by hops - a symbol of Belgium’s brewing heritage - the installation will create a floral route linking two of the capital’s most iconic locations. Together, the two flower carpets will extend the event beyond the Grand-Place and further strengthen its presence throughout the city.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Dates: 13–16 August 2026

Installation of the Flower Carpet:

13 August, from 9 am to 1 pm

Official opening & sound-and-light show:

13 August, around 10 pm

Sound-and-light shows:

13–16 August, from 9 pm to 11 pm (every 30 minutes)

Viewing from the Town Hall balcony:

13 August: 2 pm – 6 pm (last entry 5.30 pm)
14–16 August: 10 am – 10 pm (last entry 9.30 pm)

Tickets:

€8 in presale via www.flowercarpet.be
€9 on site
Free for children under 10
Groups (minimum 10 people): €8/person + 1 free ticket for the group leader (presale only)

The Grand-Place will remain freely accessible throughout the event.