Brussels Welcome

PRESS RELEASE

Brussels, 5 March 2013

BRUSSELS WELCOME

A weekend out exploring the Brussels quarters

Over the weekend of 23 – 24 March, the quarters of the Brussels-Capital Region will be throwing their doors wide open to BRUSSELS WELCOME, a scheme set up by the Brussels-Capital Region, in association with VISITBRUSSELS, the Brussels Hotels Association (BHA), Windbag Communication and 14 Brussels municipalities. A great occasion to train the spotlight on the region’s hidden treasures by way of original encounters and intimate journeys of discovery. Especially for the occasion, Brussels hotel owners are making their rooms available at mates rates.

Throughout the entire weekend, visitors and Brussels residents alike will be able to go out and explore a whole host of locations and get closer acquainted with a string of distinguished key figures that combine to lend Brussels its very own authentic flavour. A great occasion to get acquainted with the vast number of things to see, take in and enjoy around the many quarters that make up Brussels. The soul of Brussels and its quarters is largely defined by the dynamic of the local residents. On their itinerary, visitors will get to meet spirited folks who are passionate about what they do, who will take the time to talk about themselves, and how they are committed to their local quarter. Visitors can also go out on guided tours organised by greeters. A greeter is someone who will take you under his wing for the duration of a tour, enabling you to discover a quarter as seen through his eyes, taking in his personal favourites and based around his personal experience. On the agenda are two days of discovery, taking you to places no other visitors ever get to see, including striking art workshops, amazing collections, unfamiliar buildings, hidden gardens and people of exceptional talent. All activities are free of charge, and are open from 10:00 pm until 6:00 pm, on the Saturday and the Sunday alike.

The Brussels Hotels Association (BHA), is an official event partner. Which means they have pushed the boat out for the weekend from Friday 22 March to Sunday 24 March, offering rooms in Brussels hotels at mates rates. Over the weekend, a night (breakfast included) at a 5-star hotel costs 100 €, 80 € at a 4-star hotel, 60 €, at a 3-star hotel 60 €, 40 € at a 2-star hotel and just 30 € at a 1-star hotel.

What is new this year is that a lot of bigger organisations were keen to join. The TV broadcasting tower that is jointly run by the Flemish and the French-speaking national TV stations is opening its doors to members of the public for the first time, whilst those of a more daring disposition get the unique opportunity to climb all the way up into the copula of the Palace of Justice. The arcades in the Jubelpark/Cinquantenaire are also getting in on the act for the first time. Beer and ale lovers get to visit the Brasserie de la Senne where they will see the young brewers at work, or Het Goudblommeke in Papier/La fleur en papier doré to enjoy a pint of the amber nectar and good company, in the way Brel used to. Over the weekend, music fans get a glimpse behind the scenes at the Ancienne Belgique (AB), whereas art lovers will find their tastes catered to at the Wiels, the Museum of Elsene or at the Center of Contemporary Arts.

In all, no less than 25 quarters spread across 14 municipalities are taking part in BRUSSELS WELCOME, offering a wide range of sights and encounters. With the 15 extra discovery tours, it is not just the quarters, but the entire Brussels Capital-Region that will be bidding you a warm welcome on 23 and 24 March.

Municipalities taking part:

Anderlecht

Brussels

Elsene

Etterbeek

Haren

Koekelberg

Neder-Over-Heembeek

Oudergem

Sint-Agatha-Berchem

Sint-Gillis

Sint-Jans-Molenbeek