Brussels unveils Hokusai-inspired Flower Carpet during summer heat

Updated 16 August 2026, 14:00 CEST — The City of Brussels inaugurated its 24th Flower Carpet on the Grand-Place on Thursday, 13 August, opening a four-day display centred on a floral reinterpretation of Katsushika Hokusai’s Great Wave off Kanagawa. La Dernière Heure reported that the installation went ahead during the current spell of intense summer heat; the completed carpets remain accessible through Sunday evening.

Japanese artist Hiro Sugiyama and his Enlightenment collective designed the main composition, according to the City of Brussels. More than 500,000 dahlias form the wave across the historic square, marking 160 years of diplomatic relations between Belgium and Japan. The organisers describe the design as “Neo-Hokusai”, combining the visual language of the celebrated Japanese print with contemporary graphic art.

The city says the traditional Grand-Place carpet measures 70 metres by 24 metres. Organisers explain that more than 100 volunteers assemble the floral puzzle in roughly six hours, placing the cut flowers closely enough to hold the design together and create a protective microclimate. During periods of strong heat, they water the grass incorporated into the installation to prevent it from shrinking.

This edition also extends beyond the Grand-Place for the first time. A second carpet outside the Brussels Bourse uses a hop-inspired design referencing Belgium’s brewing heritage, according to the official event programme. Together, the two installations create a short floral route through the city centre rather than concentrating the entire event on one square.

The display continues a Brussels tradition that began in 1971 and now returns every two years. The organisers say Japan previously served as the event’s guest country in 2016. The Flower Carpet was added to the Brussels-Capital Region’s inventory of intangible cultural heritage in 2020.

Access to the Grand-Place and the ground-level display is free. The City of Brussels says sound-and-light performances run every 30 minutes from 21:00 to 23:00 through 16 August. A paid balcony visit offers an elevated view, while the SNCB identifies Brussels-Central, about five minutes away on foot, as the nearest main railway station. After Sunday evening, the ephemeral carpets will be dismantled; the organisers have not announced the theme of the next edition.