On International Day of Peace, Brussels' landmark becomes Manneken Peace

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On International Day of Peace this Monday, September 21, Brussels turns its famous landmark, Manneken Pis, into Manneken Peace.  

Manneken Pis is a tiny 17^th-century bronze fountain statue of a little peeing boy. Locals love him and have many stories about why this statue was erected.   They celebrate festivals and draw attention to causes dressing the little boy in one of the 900 costumes his has acquired over the centuries. 

To mark International Day of Peace, CNAPD, a Belgium association of youth and educational groups for peace and democracy, will dress the Manneken (little man) in a bespoke peace outfit inspired by school children’s and students’ drawings.  More than 200 youngsters submitted drawings of pacifist outfits for the little boy and the best were integrated into a costume by a young designer.

On September 21 between 9 am and 2pm, members of the public will be able to admire the Manneken Peace, share a pintje (a pint) and if they feel inspired, propose their own creation around the theme of peace – a song, a poem, a drawing, a video etc.

In addition, during the week, 125 Belgian localities will fly a peace flag and call for the abolition of nuclear arms.

Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.

"Do, Re, Mi" in Antwerp Central Station, Belgium

I usually write about serious issues, which is not surprising since my blog is about social issues and human rights. But once in a while, I like to plunge into something light, joyful and inspirational. So here is a video from my native Belgium. It was made in the Antwerp Central (Train) Station on the 23rd of March 2009. Makes me smile every time I watch it.

At 8am, with no warning to the passengers passing through the station, a recording of Julie Andrews singing 'Do, Re, Mi' begins to play on the public address system. As the bemused passengers watch in amazement, some 200 dancers begin to appear from the crowd and the station doors. They created this cheery stunt with just two rehearsals.