For the first time since its inception in 1971, the pattern of Brussels’ flower carpet will be predominantly composed of dahlias, not begonias.
The floral masterpiece will occupy Grand-Place in Brussels from 15 to 18 August.
Organisers of the 23rd edition aim to ignite a “double revolution”. They are targeting a younger and more diversified audience, whilst replacing traditional begonias with dahlias.
“2024 marks a radical change in content, but just as dazzling in form,” stated the Brussels Flower Carpet association in a press release.
This year, dahlias will compose over 80% of the 1,600 square metre carpet. “A flower cultivated in Belgium, the dahlia is both robust and aesthetic,” explained the association. The flower supply will be provided by Bloemencorso Loenhout, who previously supplied dahlias for the 2022 edition.
For the organisers, the flower change is “the perfect opportunity to rejuvenate the image of the carpet by proposing a design that breaks away from the usual codes of previous editions to attract a new audience, while retaining its loyal followers.”
Liège street artist, Océane Cornille, operating under the pseudonym “Whoups”, is designing the Brussels flower carpet.
The artist draws inspiration from the concept of the root plant rhizome. Whoups explains, “It refers to the metaphor of the ‘urban rhizome’, where neighbourhoods assemble and separate into a complex dynamic network. Like the roots of a plant, these lines intersect and overlap, creating a dense and organic network reflecting Brussels’ diversity and vitality.”
Tickets for the 2024 Flower Carpet are available on the website www.flowercarpet.be.
