2023-07-20 20:19:00
Red, yellow, black. The colors of Belgium were omnipresent this Thursday evening on the Place du Jeu de Balle, the heart of the Marolles, for the now famous National Ball. A twentieth edition that kicks off the July 21 festivities.
In the crowd, we find d’echte Brusseleirs. In his full suit in the colors of Belgium, “Zotte Fred”, from Koekelberg, does not hide his enthusiasm. “It’s a big popular ball. The clothe ? I will also put it on this weekend.” Not far away, a giant cone of fries is walking around. His name is Clark and he lives in the city center of Brussels. “I came to the first ball (in 2003) when there weren’t many people there. It’s a unique event in the world, which brings everyone together, the workers and the lawyers”, says the Brussels resident, his voice full of zwanze. Just in front of the stage, Lisa and her son Deniz came from Schaerbeek, as usual. “We come to see the king and party,” explains the young man.
Parade, festivities, mobility: everything you need to know about the national holiday on July 21 in BrusselsClark, disguised as a fries for the National Ball. ©Ro.Ma.”Zotte Fred” in disguise, from Koekelberg, with his friends. ©Ro.Ma.Lisa and her son Deniz. ©Ro.Ma.
But other participants come from much further afield. “We come from Brugelette (in Hainaut)”, testifies Pascale. “We come every year. For the party and the atmosphere of Brussels, because we love it. Before, we went to eat mussels at Ancien Bruxelles.” “It’s one of the rare truly unitary events,” slips Anick, a former Brussels resident of Antwerp origin, now residing in Ostend. “Here, it’s only the Belgian flag. And it remains a bilingual event.”
Pascale comes from Hainaut with her companion. ©Ro.Ma.Anick from Ostend with her friends. ©Ro.Ma.
In the programming, the dance is indeed declined in the language of Voltaire (with the emblematic Sttellla), but also in the language of Vondel (De Romeo’s). On stage, a lot of dancing and small sketches signed by the trio of kings of the zwanze, Berre, Swa and Wally. For his part, Johnny Dom, the Marollian double of the great Hallyday, is this year in the crowd, and not on stage. “Next year, I’ll be back!” promises the singer.
Johnny Dom, next year on stage. ©Ro.Ma.
More photos and information soon
1689911288
#Starting #shot #July #festivities #mythical #National #Ball #Marolles #unique #event #PHOTOS #VIDEO