Brawl Disrupts Brussels Meyboom Procession Near Manneken Pis
Brawl Breaks Out Near Manneken Pis During Meyboom Celebration
– A disturbance occurred near Brussels’ famed Manneken Pis statue during celebrations related to the annual Meyboom tradition on Saturday, local authorities confirmed.
According to a statement from Linda Camarero-Verde, spokesperson for the local police zone, officers responded to reports of a fight near the intersection of Rue de l’Étuve and Rue du Chêne, close to the statue, at approximately local time. The incident took place during the procession of the Gardevilles, a component of the Meyboom festivities.
Initial reports indicate that an individual attempted to push through the crowd gathered near the Manneken Pis. Organizers initially tried to prevent the person from proceeding, which led to a physical altercation. Event staff were ultimately able to subdue the individual until police arrived.
“We confirm that today, around , our services received a call regarding a fight that occurred during the Meyboom Gardevilles procession, near the statue of Manneken Pis, at the corner of Rue de l’Étuve and Rue du Chêne in Brussels,” Camarero-Verde stated. “One person was arrested and taken to the police station for questioning. The Brussels public prosecutor’s office has been informed of the facts. The investigation is still ongoing to establish the exact circumstances of the events.”
The Meyboom is Brussels’ oldest tradition, dating back to 1308, and is held annually on August 9th, the eve of St. Lawrence’s Day. The event centers around the planting of a beech tree at the intersection of Rue des Sables/Zandstraat and Rue du Marais/Broekstraat in the Marais–Jacqmain district of Brussels. It is organized by the Companions of St Lawrence and includes processions and folk activities.
The tradition is historically linked to a long-standing, albeit friendly, rivalry with the city of Leuven. Following an incident in 1974 where the Meyboom was stolen and taken to Leuven, both cities now claim to plant the “real” Meyboom.
In 2008, the Meyboom was recognized as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, and is also listed as intangible heritage of the French Community of Belgium.
The Manneken Pis, a small bronze statue depicting a little boy urinating, is a well-known landmark in Brussels. The statue is regularly dressed in various outfits by an employee of the City of Brussels, with 23 scheduled dressings per year, and frequently receives new costumes.
The area around the Manneken Pis is a popular tourist destination, and is also known for its waffle vendors. In February 2020, a dispute arose between two waffle vendors in the vicinity over licensing issues, an incident sometimes referred to as the “Waffle War.”
Further details regarding Saturday’s incident are expected to be released as the police investigation progresses.