May 23, 2023 | 07:00:00 GMT+7 | Weather 19°
Follow us:
70th anniversary of Hanoi's Liberation Day Vietnam - Asia 2023 Smart City Summit Hanoi celebrates 15 years of administrative boundary adjustment 12th Vietnam-France decentrialized cooperation conference 31st Sea Games - Vietnam 2021 Covid-19 Pandemic
May 09, 2018 / 16:23

"A Touch of Belgium" to rock Hanoi this weekend

The event “A Touch of Belgium” will take place at Ly Thai To Square, Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi from 14:00 to 22:00, on May 12th 2018,

On the occasion of the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Belgium, the Embassy of Belgium is proud to announce the event “A Touch of Belgium”. The activity publicly celebrates the two countries’ fruitful friendship. As such, the day-long happening is open to the public. It features family-friendly activities, information about Belgian funded projects in Vietnam, beloved Belgian culinary products such as chocolate, fries, waffles, ice-cream, beer; and showcases the best of what Belgian contemporary culture has to offer.
Illustrative photo
Illustrative photo

2018 is also the 60th anniversary of the “Smurfs”; the blue comic strip characters originally created by the Belgian illustrator Pierre Culliford (Peyo) in 1958  have since conquered the world of animation. At the event 3 classic Smurf cartoons will be screened in English with Vietnamese subtitles . Other Smurf-related activities like coloring and drawing are offered in the two Creative Areas. They are organized in collaboration with Wallonie-Bruxelles International who is also  hosting the Heritage Exhibition on the “Smurfs” at the Imperial Citadel, Hanoi till June 4th.
To showcase Belgian contemporary culture, “A Touch of Belgium” features dance performances and live music.
Most notably,“Majoretteketet-Bruxelles”(website: http://www.majoretteketet.be/) – a troop of 11 majorettes (or parade girls) – will walk around the area of Ly Thai To square accompanied by a vibrant and upbeat live marching band: the Hanoi Brass Band. In Brussels, "Majoretteketet-Bruxelles" enlightens cultural events with their feminine charm, thereby engaging the audience. The group will also have joint performances with the “Pinky Cheerleading Squad” of the Foreign Trade University and the children of the “Be Singer Club”.
Talented Belgian dancer and choreographer Nick Coutsier, together with the  dancers of Kinergie Studio, will showcase their week-long contemporary dance workshop resulting in a 20–minute performance called “Exploring Connections.” This piece is a collaboration with Belgian DJ Simon Medard and jlive visuals producer Daniel Day Long. Throughout the evening, DJ Simon Medard will stir up the atmosphere with live upbeat music, coupled with striking visuals and videos of VJ Daniel Long.
To celebrate 40 years of cooperation, development organizations funded by the Belgian government have come together to present their projects and to inform the public about all their efforts in Vietnam. They will offer more activities for children such as gardening, arts & crafts, etc.
Any Belgian cultural undertaking would not be complete without signature food and drinks. “A Touch of Belgium” will feature crispy fries, sweet chocolate, fluffy waffles coupled with ice-cream, refreshments and ice cold beer from Belgian companies in Vietnam.