Plans to close Cinquantenaire Park for a massive celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States are moving ahead, despite calls for authorities to reject the required permits. Scheduled for 28 June and potentially requiring two days of a total closure of the park, the guestlist for the party is about 5,000 invitees, including Belgium’s King Philippe and prime minister Bart De Wever, high-ranking officials from the US government and Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte. Ahead of and after the celebration, from 21 June to
2 July, anyone in Cinquantenaire Park may be subject to an identity check. America’s ambassador to Belgium, Bill White, said the party would include a 30-minute fireworks display and a performance by disco legend Nile Rodgers. White also wanted to have F-35 fighter jets fly over the park, but federal mobility minister Jean-Luc Crucke (Les Engagés) refused this request. “We have a massive presence in Belgium,” White said in regards to why the celebration needed to be on such a large scale. “Nato headquarters is
based here. Our embassy has almost 800 staff members and we have 4,500 military personnel in Belgium. You only celebrate your 250th anniversary once.” White had previously stated that the party would be “the biggest, best, most incredible, extraordinary, phenomenal and fantastic event – apart from the president’s in Washington”. In the run-up to the event, consultations are taking place between the US embassy, the federal government and Brussels Environment. “Security checks will be possible, as this is a major event and given the sensitive
geopolitical context,” said a spokesperson for Brussels mayor Philippe Close (PS). “The extent of the security measures will depend on the final programme of the festivities.” The Belgian state owns Cinquantenaire Park and its buildings, while the Brussels region is responsible for maintaining the park’s green spaces. “We’re still awaiting the official permit from the Buildings Agency, which manages the buildings,” said Lynn Tobback of Brussels Environment, which has already commissioned a study into the event’s impact. The celebrations have been the subject of fierce
criticism, with several organisations writing an open letter to Close to reject the required permits. Animal welfare organisation Gaia asked the US ambassador to at least cancel the fireworks display, and now the Ecolo-Groen party in Brussels is calling for a full cancellation of the festivities on the grounds that the US has waged war on Iran and is “responsible for the final dismantling of the world order based on respect for international law”. “Beyond political issues, many Brussels residents are also concerned about noise
pollution, potential damage to the park and wildlife, the public cost of security, and the risks of tensions or demonstrations surrounding such a sensitive event,” said Ecolo councillor Benedetta De Marte. De Marte said she wanted to “fully understand the logic behind giving the United States, Donald Trump and an extremely provocative ambassador who has launched attacks against Belgian institutions an international showcase in the capital of Europe”. But Close said that permission for and help with the party does not amount to a demonstration
of support for Trump’s policies. “These celebrations will also take place in many cities around the world,” Close said. “I hear the comments and the criticism. But when I allow an association or certain countries to organise festivals in Brussels, we do not judge based on the government but position ourselves as a multicultural capital. “We know that anything to do with the United States can be controversial. But everyone knows full well that this is the celebration of a country that is, after all,
deeply intertwined with our own history.” Close went on to say that he could not see any grounds for refusal of the party. “There is much to be said about Trump’s policies, and I am certainly no supporter of his, but I know how to distinguish between what a commemoration is and what support might entail,” said Close. Brussels Environment said that it had given its preliminary approval in this matter. “As this is a large-scale event (more than 1,000 people), authorisation must be sought
from the Buildings Agency, which owns the site,” the agency explained. “Brussels Environment will become involved at a later stage, if the event is authorised, to establish measures to protect the environment as much as possible. “We are also awaiting the finalised impact assessment, which has been requested from the organiser and must be carried out by an independent firm to examine the impact on wildlife and the measures to be taken to protect certain populations.” The anniversary party is financially supported by American and
Belgian companies. Last month, Ambassador White announced he had already raised more than €3.5 million for the event.
Cinquantenaire Park, American anniversary, Bill White, Philippe Close, Brussels Environment, Buildings Agency, fireworks, Nile Rodgers, F-35, NATO secretary-general Mark Rutte, King Philippe, Bart De Wever, identity checks, wildlife, permit