Brussels Grand-Place transforms into 750,000-dahlia Japanese flower carpet for 160th anniversary of Belgium-Japan ties

A floral homage to Hokusai

The Grand-Place in Brussels, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is hosting its 24th biennial flower carpet from 13 to 16 August, featuring a design titled "Neo Hokusai" that reinterprets Katsushika Hokusai's iconic woodblock print "Under the Wave off Kanagawa," commonly known as "The Great Wave." The carpet measures 70 meters long and 24 meters wide and is composed of approximately 750,000 dahlias, according to four of the five sources covering the event; La Libre Belgique reports the figure as "more than 500,000." The event marks the 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Belgium and Japan, a friendship formalized by the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation signed on 1 August 1866.

The artist and the design

Japanese artist Hiro Sugiyama, a graduate of and professor at the Kyoto University of the Arts, created the design together with his collective Enlightenment. The borders of the carpet incorporate the traditional Japanese kumiko pattern, while the floral compositions evoke notions of "continuity without end" and "prosperity," as reported by RTBF. This is the first time Sugiyama has produced a work of this scale. The Japanese embassy contacted him after being drawn to his work, offering an opportunity to present his art to a larger audience. The design is a modern reinterpretation of Hokusai's masterpiece from the Edo period (1603-1868).

Volunteers and financing

Hundreds of volunteers come every two years to lay out the flowers following the chosen design. This year's volunteers include students from the Japanese school in Brussels, Japanese expatriates and enthusiasts of flowers and Japanese culture. The majority of the dahlias used are cultivated in Belgium. More than 250 companies are participating in financing the project, according to La Libre Belgique. The association behind the event, which has organized the carpet every two years since 1971, aims to promote floral art in Brussels and throughout Belgium through collaboration with various associations. A committee of professionals, including illustrators, graphic designers and architects, selects the project.

Diplomatic ties celebrated

The flower carpet is part of broader celebrations marking 160 years of Belgian-Japanese relations. Japanese Ambassador Takeshi Osuga was present during the installation and described the work as symbolizing the two countries' shared love of flowers. Other events organized for the anniversary include a visit by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan. Japan was previously honored at the flower carpet in 2016, when an ephemeral tapestry was inspired by Japanese representations of flowers, birds, wind and moon, used to describe the beauty of nature.

Evening shows and visitor numbers

Every evening during the event, visitors can enjoy a sound and light show that casts a dreamy glow over the Great Wave rendered in colorful flowers. The biennial summer event typically attracts around 200,000 visitors from around the world, according to Adnkronos citing Jiji Press. This year's edition is expected to serve as an opportunity to showcase the friendship between Japan and Belgium to an international audience. The carpet remains on display through 16 August.