Brussels marks 10 years since attacks with weekend of remembrance

Brussels will commemorate the 10th anniversary of the 22 March 2016 attacks with a series of ceremonies, tributes and cultural events across the city this weekend.

The programme spans both Saturday and Sunday, combining official moments of remembrance with public initiatives focused on solidarity and resilience.

On Saturday, commemorations begin around Maelbeek metro station, one of the key sites of the 2016 attacks.

Public transport operator Stib will organise a "Human Chain of Hope" from 10.00 to 11.30, linking entrances of the station in tribute to victims and emergency responders.

Later in the day, attention shifts to Place de la Bourse, where the “Sadaka Tea” event will bring residents together through art, music and shared reflection.

The initiative aims to highlight unity and collective resilience. Activities include a participatory writing workshop, live performances and a communal gathering centred on tea and dialogue.

On Sunday 22 March, a series of official commemorations will take place in the presence of the Belgian royal family, the prime minister and victims’ families.

The day begins early at Brussels Airport, where a ceremony will be held from 7.15 to 8.20, marking the site of the first attacks.

Shortly after, a second ceremony will take place at Maelbeek metro station from 8.45 to 9.30. The station will be closed during the event.

The main national ceremony will follow near the Schuman roundabout, at the monument to victims of terrorism on Rue de la Loi.

Running from 11.45 to 13.00, it will include a reading of the victims’ names, a minute of silence, flower tributes, speeches and testimonies and an artistic performance.

Belgian and European officials are expected to attend, and the ceremony will be broadcast live.

In the lead-up to the anniversary, the City of Brussels has also taken steps to prepare key sites, including cleaning graffiti around Maelbeek station to ensure a respectful environment for the commemorations.

Anas Ben Abdelmoumen, Brussels' alderman for cleanliness, said: “We must permanently keep a place of mourning and remembrance as important as Maelbeek as tidy as possible.”

Ten years on, the weekend’s events reflect both remembrance and reflection, honouring those affected while highlighting the resilience and diversity that continue to shape Brussels today.