Belgian PresidencyWhile the Flower Carpet in the Grand-Place is an established tradition, the summer showers are indeed traditional too, whether we like it or not.

On this Thursday 12 August 2010 the two traditions seem to insist on being upheld on the same day. The result: the volunteers were forced to lay out the flower carpet in between two showers. But in spite of the rain that interrupted its creation, the carpet was nonetheless, as it always has been, a true masterpiece.

Every two years, the Grand-Place in Brussels is dressed in its traditional "floral mantle". Each edition of the Flower Carpet is dedicated to a new theme. This year, as might be expected, the Belgian Presidency of the European Union is the obvious cornerstone of the colourful spectacle.

The 650,000 begonias and dahlias from Flanders that make up the carpet have been positioned so they give pride of place to the "eu" logo of the Belgian Presidency, which was designed by Antoine Durieux, a Belgian designer of just 23. In the corners of the carpet, two inescapable symbols of Brussels are depicted: one is the city's patron saint Michael slaying the dragon. The second is the emblem of the Brussels-Capital Region: the yellow iris on a blue background.

The official inauguration of this masterpiece was held on 12 August in the evening, in the magnificent rooms of the Town Hall. On this occasion, invitees were given the opportunity to discover the angelic voices of the Vocal Brussels Project a cappella group, and hear a speech by Philip Close, Brussels Alderman for Tourism and Personnel and Member of the Regional Parliament.

For all to see on the Grand-Palce until 15 August

The Flower Carpet is open to the public for all visitors to the Grand-Place until 15 August. The Town Hall will be open from 9 a.m. until 11 p.m., to enable visitors to enjoy a panoramic view of the carpet from the Town Hall balconies. Every night at 10, 10.30 and 11 p.m, a son-et-lumière spectacle will enhance the experience and turn the floral mantle into a swirling evening dress for the Grand-Place.