Folklorissimo festival to celebrate 60 years of Moroccan-Belgian ties

This September, Brussels will host the Folklorissimo festival, highlighting the longstanding connections between Morocco and Belgium. The event marks the 60th anniversary of bilateral agreements that brought Moroccan workers to Belgium, as reported by the Belgian newspaper Bruzz.

According to the festival organizers, Folklorissimo will take place on September 21 and 22, 2024. The highlight of the celebration will be a grand procession on Sunday, coinciding with Brussels' Car-Free Sunday. This «BXL'Marbel» parade will travel from the canal to the city center, featuring musical performances at key locations including AB, Grand Place, and Beursschouwburg.

In a nod to Morocco's cultural influence, the iconic Manneken Pis statue will don various Moroccan costumes throughout the festival. This gesture symbolizes the integration of Moroccan heritage into Brussels' folklore, the organizers noted.

The two-day event will showcase Brussels' folkloric traditions, with a special emphasis on Moroccan contributions. Visitors can expect to see giant puppet parades, concerts, and organ grinder music performances. A folkloric running race is also on the program, adding a sporty element to the cultural festivities.

While the festival celebrates both Moroccan and Turkish connections to Belgium, the focus on Morocco is particularly significant given the 60-year milestone of labor migration agreements between the two countries.

The Folklorissimo festival aims to be a vibrant display of how Moroccan culture has become an integral part of Brussels' diverse identity over the past six decades. By highlighting these cultural bonds, the event seeks to commemorate the shared history and ongoing relationship between Morocco and Belgium.