In Brussels’ Grand-Place, the iconic Flower Carpet event celebrated its 24th edition this summer with a monumental tribute to ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai. From August 13 to 16, more than 750,000 dahlias, covering nearly 14,000 square feet, formed the centerpiece of the event, which marked 160 years of friendship between Belgium and Japan.
Artist Hiro Sugiyama’s “Neo Hokusai” reimagined the famous woodblock print “The Great Wave Off Kanagawa,” this time in vibrant magenta, vermilion, and yellow. This year, the dahlias were sourced from Bloemencorso Loenhout, a 75-year-old flower parade in northern Belgium.
Dahlias are not the only choice for floral artists; in 2018, one million begonias formed a design highlighting central Mexico’s Guanajuato region. The event was captured in an aerial timelapse by Joerg Daiber, providing a stunning visual of the carpet’s magnitude.
The Flower Carpet is more than just a vibrant spectacle; it’s also a celebration of art, community, and diplomacy. It invites visitors to marvel at the beauty of nature as well as reflect on cultural exchanges between nations.
As this year’s event kicks off on September 12, the Grand-Place remains a living canvas, showcasing the power of flowers to bring people together in an unexpected yet heartfelt tribute to Hokusai.
