International Kite Festival premieres in Brussels this month

Brussels-City is launching a brand new festival this month, which will see hundreds of kites from all over the world flying above the canal. Des Kites Survolent les Quais, or Kites Fly Over the Docks, takes place on 22 and 23 September and will continue every year in September.

Workshops and an exhibition about kite culture across the globe will also take place in the Kanal Centre Pompidou as part of the festival. It opens on 19 September, so visitors can bone up on their kite knowledge – and make their own – before heading out to see the pros at work.

The kites on show will be extremely diverse, from simple one-string designs to long, animal-like kites with bodies and tails that move in all directions and need 50 strings to operate. Both amateurs and professionals from Asia and Europe will be showing off their kites and skills on Quai des Péniches.

“An enchanting and colourful air ballet will take over the skies during the very first Brussels Kite Festival,” says Karine Lalieux, Brussels-City councillor in charge of events and tourism. “This lovely free event will become part of Brussels’ summer event calendar and contribute to the vibrant character of the canal, just like Brussels Beach.”

Photo: George Peeters/Pass to Fly