The yearly Medieval Market in Brussels' Parc du Cinquantenaire has been cancelled, as a looming windstorm makes its way into Belgium from Friday.
As Storm Miguel makes its way north from France, authorities have announced that all regional parks will be shut down from 12:30 on Friday, halting the three-day-long medieval fest only hours before it was set to kick-off.
Gusts of up to 80 km/h are expected to sweep into the country, meaning fans of the middle ages will have to forego taking part in the festival's traditional activities such as archery or sword fighting.
The Royal Meteorological service has placed the whole country on yellow alert until Saturday at 18:00, and a special telephone line (1722) has been activated.
Over 6,000 people registered to attend the 27th edition of the festival, which is traditionally held on the weekend before Pinkstermaandag, or Pentecost Monday.
Brussels Environnement said that parks are expected to reopen to the public on Sunday morning, after being inspected and cleaned.
Gabriela Galindo
The Brussels Times
