Zinneke Parade
Encyclopedia
The Zinneke Parade is a biennial parade
held in the city of Brussels
, Belgium
since 2000; a different theme is chosen for each parade. The 2010 theme was "A table / Aan tafel" ("Have a meal" or "Come to the Table!") and was held in May.
In 2008 over 7000 people were involved with the parade, with 2500 of these appearing in the parade itself. The Zinneke Parade was watched by 60,000 spectators in 2006.
'Zinneke' is a nickname for people from Brussels, which came from the stray dogs which hung around the streets by the Little Zenne (part of the river Zenne
which ran through Brussels) in the middle ages.
The parade was established with the aim of connecting the many different cultures, communities and districts within Brussels. The director of the Zinneke association, Myriam Stoffen, has talked about the desire to 'build bridges' between these parts of the city. The organisers of the parade aim to work with a large variety of institutions, schools, cultural centres, organisations and societies. Residents work together with professional artists to create the ideas and prepare the projects which eventually make up the parade.
A characteristic of the parade which distinguishes it from many other parades or carnivals is that it is described as being "100% human" - music is performed live, without amplification, and there are no motorised vehicles.
In 2010, the parade was accompanied by a group of puppeteers from Belgium, Ireland, Italy and France who performed in a number of balconies overlooking the route of the parade.
The participants in the parade formed about 25 'zinnodes', groups of around 100 people each, which started from four squares in the city: Fontainasplein, Sint-Katelijne, the Albertinaplein and the Spanjeplein; then meet along the way.
The next edition will be held on 19th May 2012, under the theme "Désordre / Wanorde" ("Disorder").
Parade
A parade is a procession of people, usually organized along a street, often in costume, and often accompanied by marching bands, floats or sometimes large balloons. Parades are held for a wide range of reasons, but are usually celebrations of some kind...
held in the city of Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
since 2000; a different theme is chosen for each parade. The 2010 theme was "A table / Aan tafel" ("Have a meal" or "Come to the Table!") and was held in May.
In 2008 over 7000 people were involved with the parade, with 2500 of these appearing in the parade itself. The Zinneke Parade was watched by 60,000 spectators in 2006.
'Zinneke' is a nickname for people from Brussels, which came from the stray dogs which hung around the streets by the Little Zenne (part of the river Zenne
Zenne
The Zenne or Senne is a small river that flows through Brussels, left tributary of the Dijle/Dyle. Its source is in the municipality of Soignies. It is an indirect tributary of the Scheldt, through the Dijle and the Rupel...
which ran through Brussels) in the middle ages.
The parade was established with the aim of connecting the many different cultures, communities and districts within Brussels. The director of the Zinneke association, Myriam Stoffen, has talked about the desire to 'build bridges' between these parts of the city. The organisers of the parade aim to work with a large variety of institutions, schools, cultural centres, organisations and societies. Residents work together with professional artists to create the ideas and prepare the projects which eventually make up the parade.
A characteristic of the parade which distinguishes it from many other parades or carnivals is that it is described as being "100% human" - music is performed live, without amplification, and there are no motorised vehicles.
In 2010, the parade was accompanied by a group of puppeteers from Belgium, Ireland, Italy and France who performed in a number of balconies overlooking the route of the parade.
The participants in the parade formed about 25 'zinnodes', groups of around 100 people each, which started from four squares in the city: Fontainasplein, Sint-Katelijne, the Albertinaplein and the Spanjeplein; then meet along the way.
The next edition will be held on 19th May 2012, under the theme "Désordre / Wanorde" ("Disorder").
External links
- Website of the Zinneke Parade association
- Google search for Zinneke Parade