The National Festival will pay homage to the end of World War I and the five-year reign of King Philippe, various authorities announced on Monday on presenting the activities planned for the 2018 edition of the festival. The federal campaign for the festival, “Belgium, uniquely phenomenal” will also help to give a positive image of the country.
As with each edition, the festivities will open with a national ball to be held from 1900 hours (0700 p.m.) on Friday at the Jeu de Balle Square in Marolles neighbourhood in Brussels. Artistes such as Plastic Bertrand, Lio and Daddy K will feature at a concert to be held there.
On Friday evening, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde will also attend a concert held as a prelude to the National Festival in the Centre for Fine Arts (Bozar).
After the traditional Te Deum on Saturday morning at the Cathedral of Saint Michael and Saint Gudula, the military and civilian parades will start at 1600 hours (04.00 p.m.). It will make references, every now and then, to the commemoration of the 1914-1918 war, namely with the presence of equipment from that era and of 29 descendants of soldiers who fought in World War I.
The Defence Department, police, customs and civil protection service will use the festival as an opportunity to highlight their recruitment needs.
Details of the various events organised for the National Festival are available on the www.2107.be site.
The Brussels Times
