Smurfs offer 60th birthday present to the Atomium

Two Belgian icons are both 60 this year - the Atomium and the Smurfs. To celebrate these joint birthdays, the daughter of Smurfs creator Peyo, Véronique Culliford, on Tuesday presented the Atomium with an original drawing depicting a smurf watering a small Atomium.

"He wants to make sure that it grows up big and strong," she said. "My father was a big fan of Walt Disney’s work and he was thrilled that Disney came to Brussels to enjoy the World’s Fair 60 years ago."

The framed artwork will hang in a Smurfs Corner in the children's sphere of the Atomium along with DVDs of Smurf movies and cartoons, figurines and plush toys.

Primary school children between six and 12 can spend the night in the children's sphere in special spherical beds as well as participate in various fun activities, and dinner and breakfast.

For those of us who are too old or who don't get the opportunity to participate in the overnighters, the Smurf Experience will take over Palais 4 from 9 June and there will be a Smurf display along the esplanade connecting the Palais and the Atomium.