The Ommegang pageant Wednesday, 3 and Friday, 5 July 2024
Special Guests 2024
Heralds
Dignitaries
The Procession route Singers
Production
The historical re-enactment of the gala fête on 2 June 1549, organised by the Magistrate of Brussels, and given in honour of the Emperor Charles V “Quint”, his son Phillipe, Infant of Spain and Duke of Brabant, and his sisters, Maria, Queen of Hungary and Eleanore, Queen Dowager of France (widow of Francis I) at the Grand Place of Brussels. Departure of the procession of the Guilds and Serments of the Sablon.
The origins of the Ommegang Pageant are found in the 14th century. When it first took place, it was a procession in honour of Our Lady of the Sablon, organised by the Grand Confraternity (“Serment”) of Crossbowmen. Quite soon thereafter the different guilds and bodies constituting the City joined the processions which then developed into a primarily secular, municipal event. The pageant taking place in 1549 is one of the most famous examples. At that year’s event Emperor Charles V (“Charles Quint”) visited this region of his Empire and officially introduced his son and successor, the future Phillip II. For these types of gala event, cities spared no expense to show themselves off in the very best of lights. And Brussels did just that on this occasion by organising one of the most resplendent of Ommegang processions ever undertaken.
Master of Ceremonies :
Thomas de Bergeyck
The Ommegang Pageant has the pleasure of appointing a notable and celebrated personality to serve as the Herald of Arms, the official charged with making all the solemn proclamations and important announcements.
Pierre Kroll
Dessinateur
Annie Cordy
Chanteuse et commédienne
Le Grand Jojo
Chanteur
Alain Tillière
Burgomaster of the Free Commune of the “Sacred Islet” (l’Ilot Sacré)
Thomas de Bergeyck
Belgian Journalist and Presenter of the Place Royal broadcast
Karine Lalieux
Municipal Councillor responsible for Culture, City of Brussels
Alain Courtois
First Councillor, City of Brussels
Didier Reynders
Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs
Faouzia Hariche
Municipal Councillor responsible for Youth, City of Brussels
Geoffroy Coomans de Brachene
Municipal Councillor responsible for Urban Development and Historical Preservation, City of Brussels
Gérald Watelet
Television Presenter, “C’est du Belge” & “Un gars un Chef”
Sebastien Romignon Ercolini
Tenor Isabelle Everarts de Velp
Mezzosoprano Production
For more than 15 years now the Grand Place in Brussels has glowed and sparkled in a lighting fantasy directed by Giles Daoust and his team. The pyrotechnic effects and music composed especially for the event add yet more breath-taking highlights to this tableau of Brussels from another age.
The public can follow the arrival of the procession on the large screen set up in the Grand Place.