Brussels' Ommegang in bid for Unesco World Heritage status

The Brussels-Capital Region has applied for Unesco World Heritage status for its traditional Ommegang pageant, a reconstruction of the son of Emperor Charles V's entry in Brussels in 1549, writes Bruzz.

The medieval festival draws crowds every summer to its procession from the Royal Park to the Grand Place. The first modern Ommegang took place in 1930, based on descriptions of the historic procession.

The Brussels-Capital Region now hopes to receive recognition of the Ommegang as World Heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco). On Monday, the Region sent its official candidacy to the Unesco headquarters in Paris.

"The Ommegang is one of Brussels' most honourable traditions, and one that has been passed down from generation to generation. Recognition of this great folkloric event would mean a lot to the people of Brussels," said Brussels minister-president Rudi Vervoort.

The Ommegang returns to the capital on 5 and 7 July, 2017.