Flower power: Brussels’ floral carpet dazzles under searing sunshine

It was a race against time for teams of volunteers to painstakingly complete the ambitious giant floral design mapped out on the capital’s medieval square.

Under a scorching sun, kneeling or crouched on the ground, they methodically placed more than 750,000 cut dahlia heads covering nearly 80% of the entire floral display.

The highly-anticipated 24th edition of Brussels’ flower carpet — a spectacular and unique show gracing the Grand Place every two years — is an ephemeral four-day installation attracting hordes of visitors from home and abroad.

The stunning contemporary design for 2026 is an interpretation of the world-famous woodblock print, The Giant Wave of Kanagawa, by Katsushika Hikusai. The original iconic composition depicts three boats confronting the massive cresting waves of a turbulent sea while Mount Fuji sits serenely in the background.

Japanese artist Hiro Sugiyama and his collective “Enlightenment” reimagined this print to celebrate 160 years of Japanese and Belgian friendship; creating large sweeping shapes juxtaposed with intricate details such as Japanese writing.

For the striking border pattern, Sugiyama (pictured above left), who was on site to watch the design come to life, chose his country’s traditional Kumiko motif. Together, the design evokes the notion of infinite continuity.

It was the second Japan was chosen as the biennial event’s guest of honour after a first edition in 2016.

But on this occasion, dahlias were preferred to the traditional begonia as the former is more resistant to high temperatures. Originally from Central America, it is a hardy bloom that also offers a large palette of colours, from dusky pastels to intense vivid hues. Despite the blazing temperatures, the carpet is expected to maintain its floral glory until Sunday evening.

One new volunteer joining the floral team was 15-year-old Nina (pictured above), accompanying her father who is a member of the Bloemencorso Loenhout association that organises the biggest flower parade in Belgium on 13 September.

Despite the heat and the early start, she was enjoying the experience. “When we finish, we can go upstairs to see it on the balcony with everyone else.”

Among the enthusiastic onlookers were a trio of local visitors (pictured above): Pascale Delvaux de Fenffe (pictured left), Marie Zagheden (right) and Manon Klemm, aged 16 (centre). If Pascale was a little disappointed that the carpet was not yet finished, they were looking forward to a new addition this year, a second flower carpet at the Belgian Beer World at the Bourse that is inspired by hops.

For Marie, the variation between the carpet and the surrounding medieval buildings was striking. “I love the contrast between the magnificent architecture and the fragility of the flowers; between the grey of the stones and the bright colours of the dahlias.”

Manon was impressed by the contemporary design and the dedication of the teams making the display. “It’s the first time that I have come to see it and if I had known about the volunteers, I would have come and helped them.”

On display until 16 August, the floral carpet can be seen in the Grand Place for free. It can also be viewed from the balcony of the city hall with tickets available for purchase at the entrance. A sound and light show enhances the experience in the evenings, running every 30 minutes from 21.00 to 23.00.

City centre flower trail

Adding to the buzz of excitement around the city centre of Brussels was the launch of the sixth edition of the flower trail Brussels in Bloom.

The fun theme for this year’s event  from 13 to 30 August is the Seventies. Striking a pose in the cobblestoned courtyard of the City Hall, the starting point for the floral tour, is Apple Disco by DO Flowers x DO-Wolf. The joyful tribute to disco and pop (pictured above) is adorned by a giant pair of reflective sunglasses in a comic nod to the solar eclipse on 12 August.

It is the first of 24 floral installations dotted around the Grand Place and Place Saint-Jean. Visitors can download a map of the route that takes around 1.5 hours. Shop windows in the downturn area also display Seventies-themed designs to enhance the experience.

Brussels’ iconic peeing boy, Manneken Pis, has not being left out of the floral festivities. The cheeky statuette is donned in a vibrant costume and headgear in shades of pink and purple, embellished by feathers and other eye-catching decor.

Meanwhile, Rue de la Violette is the location for From her Hands by Sarah Bruford & KA PAI studio (pictured above). The large-scale installation that is suspended above the street is made from vintage Bessarabian weavings, many dating from the 1970s.

If the inspiration was the colour and spirit of Flower Power, the work honours women’s handwoven textiles as artworks in their own right. “The art installation celebrates the women whose hands created these textiles, and the generations of knowledge, creativity and craftsmanship woven into each piece,” says Brussels-based Bruford (pictured above) who is originally from New Zealand.

Photos: (main image) Flower Carpet 2026 ©Mastershoot; Flower Carpet 2026 ©Jeroen Willems; Hiro Sugiyama, alderwoman Nawal Ben Hamou, Ambassador Takeshi Osuga ©Jeroen Willems; ©Manneken-Pis Official dresser - Nicolas; From Her Hands ©KA PAI studio/Sarah Bruford