Every year on Saint-Verhaegen's Day (20 November), several thousands of students from Brussels universities ULB and VUB commemorate their founder Pierre-Théodore Verhaegen and the values that unite them.
The ULB was officially opened on 20 November 1834 by Pierre-Théodore Verhaegen, and from that day onwards, 20 November was declared a day off for students and staff alike. The first real celebrations only starting taking shape in 1843, however, with the creation of the Union of Former Students, when university alumni would meet up to mark the occasion.
The expression 'Saint-Verhaegen' (Saint-V) first came into use in 1888. Students and progressive professors evoked the founder of ULB on 20 November and sanctified him as a tribute to the beginnings of the university, praising his ideals of democracy and freethinking. They paid tribute to the founder in front of his statue and laid a wreath on his grave. Two years later, the academic authorities also took part in the ceremonies.
Brussels' cultural heritage
Since then, Saint-V has become a tradition in Brussels: tributes and commemorations are held annually on the various university campuses and student-organised festivities take place in the city centre in the afternoon.
Moreover, in 2019, Saint-V was declared part of the Brussels-Capital Region's intangible cultural heritage. It received this recognition from Brussels because it contributes to the "diverse, autonomous and rebellious character of the city, as well as to its identity," according to ULB's website.
This recognition of Saint-Verhaegen's Day also shows that this event is much more than just an annual parade: it is, above all, a celebration of freedom. Through speeches and banners, participants advocate freedom of speech, research, education and thought.
Like every year, student societies have chosen a theme for Saint-V, and this year they want to shed light on student mental health. "These are often overlooked issues with underestimated consequences," the societies explained. Profits from collections will go to the Brussels League for Mental Health.
Saint-V celebrations in Sablon. Credit: ACE - Association des Cercles Étudiants de l'ULB / Facebook
What events are taking place in Brussels today?
This year's celebrations started on Thursday 16 November, with a guided tour of Saint-Verhaegen with Frank Scheelings starting at La fontaine de Minerve in the Grand Sablon, a play by the Universités Populaires du Théâtre, a torchlight procession and other commemorations.
Today (20 November) began with coffee and croissants with Ixelles Mayor Christos Doulkeridis at Ixelles' Maison communale (town hall). At 09:15, there were speeches and laying of flowers at the Brussels cemetery in Evere on the graves of Théodore Verhaegen, Frans Kufferath and Henri La Fontaine. This was followed by a ceremony and more flowers at the Tir National-Poteau des fusillés.
Première commémoration au cimetière de Bruxelles sur la tombe de Pierre-Théodore Verhaegen, fondateur de notre Alma Matter en 1834 💐 pic.twitter.com/RXN8lLxUCQ
— Philippe Close (@PhilippeClose) November 20, 2023
Tweet translation: First commemoration at Brussels cemetery on the tomb of Pierre-Théodore Verhaegen, founder of our Alma Matter in 1834.
At midday, Brussels Mayor Philippe Close hosted a joint ULB-VUB meeting in the city hall, followed by drinks. Students from ULB's Association des cercles étudiants and VUB's StudentenGenootschap also began gathering in Grand Sablon at noon.
There will be plenty of drinks and festivities all afternoon and students from both universities plan to gather of the steps of the Bourse at around 17:30 to sing the university songs: the Semeur and the Lied van geen taal.
There will be a banquet at 19:00 for university alumni at the Maison des Anciens on Campus de la Plaine. Student parties will start from 22:00 in the Salle Jefke with DJs and drinks on offer until the early hours.
To conclude this year's festivities, the ULB Symphony Orchestra will be performing an exceptional concert to mark Saint-V's Day, in collaboration with the Belgium Cello Society, at 20:00 on Wednesday 22 November.
🎉🎓🎉Saint-Verhaegen - mesures de circulation
Dans le cadre du folklore estudiantin bruxellois, plusieurs mesures de circulation seront d’application à #Bruxelles ce 20 novembre ⛔️La circulation sera interdite de 11h00 à 19h30 dans les secteurs suivants : 🤝Village: Place du… pic.twitter.com/2WbLVkFiIb — PolBru (@zpz_polbru) November 20, 2023
The Police Bruxelles Capitale Ixelles police zone announced on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday that no traffic will be able to pass through the following areas from 11:00 until 19:30 due to various processions and partying: Place du Grand Sablon, Rue Lebeau, Place de la Justice, Rue de l'Hôpital, Place Saint-Jean, Rue du Lombard, Rue Plattesteen, Boulevard Anspach and Place de la Bourse.
Public transport will be diverted from 10:30 until 19:30 within those areas on Monday. More information regarding Saint-V related traffic measures can be found on STIB's website.
For more information on Saint-V 2023, see here.
