When the Belgian capital is taking a step back to the 16th century and transforming its beautiful old town into a period setting, it’s time to bring out the pride of Brussels, and the guilds are brought together in one of the most colourful and lively historical re-enactments in Europe.
Already immersed in autumn with its serene moments and not exempt from a certain melancholy of the summer frenzy, while we see the leaves turn yellow and the sunsets offer fascinating colours, we can’t help but delight in some of the summer memories that have most captivated us.
For those of us who have been fortunate enough to have enjoyed the Ommegang festival, it is something like that, keeping the memory alive and, at the same time, inviting those who do not know about it to make a note in their diary of this date with Brussels next year.
The origin of this initially religious celebration dates back to 1348, when the image of the Virgin Mary arrived from Antwerp and was placed in what was then a humble chapel in the Sablon district, later transformed into today’s dazzling Gothic church in the Brabant style. and guarded by a guard of crossbowmen.
The pilgrimage remained unchanged until well into the 18th century, when it fell into a certain decline until 1930, when it took on a new dimension, only interrupted during the Second World War.
This revitalisation maintains the religious character and the celebration in the church of Notre Dame in the Sablon district, taking on a much more colourful and joyful feel, based on the historical descriptions of the visit that took place in 1549, when Emperor Charles V visited the city to present his heir and future King Philip II.
On two afternoons in July, after the religious ceremonies and the crossbow competition, a large parade of about 1,400 men, women and children, all dressed in dazzling period costumes, form a procession along the kilometre and a half that separates the authentic Sablon district from the Grand Place, the nerve centre of Brussels, known worldwide for its architectural and artistic wealth, surrounded by the guild houses, the beautiful town hall and the King’s House. This square is considered one of the most beautiful in the world and has been a World Heritage Site since 1998.
The procession arrives in a permanently lively atmosphere, The procession is joined by the burgomaster of the city and the maintainers of the different intangible heritage legacies.
From this moment on, in a perfect and orderly choreography, they start to walk around the square, honouring the meaning of the word Ommegang, “to walk around” in Dutch, which comes from the Latin circumambulatio.
This is one of the most awaited moments, right at the end of the afternoon, when the different groups enter the Grand Place with an exquisite staging, making a spectacle of sound, lights, folklore, visual effects and fireworks a reality. that fills this emblematic historical setting with magic, enhancing its beauty even more.
Today, this historical representation contributes to the enhancement of the sense of identity of the various groups that make up the community and to the strengthening of the Brussels identity. With this feeling of fraternisation and determination of the people to maintain and internalise this rich cultural heritage, Ommegang has been inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
In addition to all the activities and proposals that revolve around the Ommegan, such as crossbow competitions, street markets and a host of cultural events, this celebration is the perfect excuse to visit Brussels’ landmarks, beyond the famous “Manneken Pis”, such as the many monuments, museums, art galleries, craft shops, take a pleasant stroll through the streets of the historic centre or, on a more leisurely note, enjoy a good beer, the kind that only here they know how to brew, in one of the most famous breweries in the country.
Don’t miss next year’s Ommegan.
