It’s back: a glorious floral adventure in the private park of a Belgian castle.
“Floralia Brussels” is an annual “must” for nature lovers in Belgium – a carpet of flowers, all beneath ancient trees and beautifully landscaped flowerbeds.
The “Floralia” flower festival once again takes place Groot-Bijgaarden, a 12th century castle in Flemish Brabant. Located north west of Brussels, the event runs from April 3 to May 3. The park is open from 10am-6pm (the ticket offices close at 5.30pm).
Tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths brighten up every flowerbed, creating the most beautiful of spring walks. The castle’s experts have planted over a million flower bulbs especially for the new flowering season.
During the festival the estate is overtaken by red tulips and colourful labyrinths.
With its floral splendour it’s an event that continues to impress visitors every year.
This year, the large greenhouse at Floralia Brussels will also take on a completely new, fairytale-like setting. In collaboration with renowned Belgian artist Diederick Daneels of Viva Blooming, visitors are promised an “enchanting journey” through colourful floral displays, with a radiant centrepiece: the Maya the Bee floral artwork .
This prestigious exhibition in the conservatory consists of beautiful flower arrangements and decorative plants, brought to life with a mix of fresh and silk flowers , which are renewed weekly by the artist’s team.
Says Daneels: “Our inspiration comes from the life of Maya the Bee.
“We want children to be able to immerse themselves in her world and understand what her life is like. We bring this to life through our greatest passion: flowers and plants. We hope this concept will resonate with not only children but also adults.”
He added, “Our mission is to rekindle the wonder of the younger generation with the floral splendour this estate has to offer, combined with the magical world of Maya.”
The Floralia Brussels exhibition has been designed and produced by the team based at Groot-Bijgaarden Castle who use only the highest quality bulbs and newest varieties. The tulip bulbs themselves are sourced from Jub Holland, one of the largest wholesalers and producers in the Netherlands.
An event spokesman said, “Visitors will be able to enjoy a magnificent floral display with its various flowering stages – early, mid-season, and late.
“Of course, it’s impossible to have all the flowers blooming at the same time. Floralia, therefore, follows the rhythm of nature and weather conditions.”
Early-flowering varieties include crocuses, daffodils, and hyacinths while mid-April tends to be when tulips, muscaris, hyacinths and Fritillaria imperialis are at their best.
That’s not all.
During Floralia Brussels, the elegance of Venice will also be brought to life with an enchanting Venetian Parade.
Dressed in opulent costumes and ornate masks, participants will stroll through the castle’s park, adding an extra dimension to the floral exhibition.
“This unique event allows visitors to enjoy a magical atmosphere where nature and art converge,” said the spokesman.
The parade promises to offer a perfect opportunity for photographers to capture the “harmony of colourful flowers and elegant Venetian costumes.”
“The parade adds to the festive atmosphere and makes any visit to Floralia Brussels even more unforgettable,” added the spokesman.
Aside from the flowers and Venetian parade, there’s also yet another attraction during Floralia this year and one that is likely to appeal to young visitors in particular.
During the “Maya Days” there’s a mini parade, a listening story and a “unique photo moment” with Maya and Willy.
Colourful statues of Maya and her friends are scattered throughout the park and, as you stroll around, you’ll discover Ben the dung beetle, Flip the grasshopper, and Tekla the spider, among others.Maya and Willy, accompanied by a colourful brass band and vibrant dancers, will parade through Groot-Bijgaarden park and past the magnificent flower display.
Of course, centrepiece of Floralia are the flower displays, not least the humble tulip.
The history of the perennially popular flower is fascinating in itself – and it also has a direct Belgian connection.
It was first introduced into Europe in the 16th century by the Flemish diplomat Ogier Ghislain de Busbecq (1522-1591), born in Comines , at that time a territory under Emperor Charles V. As a diplomat and scholar, he mastered seven languages and studied at several European universities.
In 1554, Ferdinand of Austria , King of Bohemia and Hungary, sent him as ambassador to Constantinople to broker a truce with the Ottoman Empire, led by Suleiman the Magnificent (1494–1566). During his stay in Anatolia, Busbecq discovered the tulip, a flower particularly beloved at the Ottoman court and named after the Turkish word tülbend (turban) because of its similar shape. He sent some bulbs to the imperial gardens in Vienna.
The botanical scientist Carolus Clusius (1526-1609), physician to Emperor Maximilian II, became fascinated by the tulip and began a collection in Vienna. He later brought the flower to the Netherlands, where he founded the famous Hortus Botanicus in Leiden . Clusius is considered the founder of horticulture and mycology.
The tulip became a symbol of wealth and a popular subject in flower paintings and Delftware. The 17th century saw a wave of speculation known as Tulip Mania . Around 1637, tulip bulbs were being traded for exorbitant prices, sometimes equivalent to twenty years’ salary for a craftsman. When the market collapsed, it led to enormous financial losses and was considered the first speculative bubble in history.
Despite this crisis, the tulip remained an icon of luxury and beauty and is today one of the most beloved flowers in the world.
Further info: https://floralia-brussels.be
