Brussels Saint Patrick´s Day Parade of the Nations & Regions

Brussels Saint Patrick’s Europe Day Parade
of the Nations & Regions:
On Saturday 18 March,2023 the Irish in Europe organise their 15th annual Brussels Saint Patrick´s Day Parade of the Nations & Regions in the City Centre for the third time. Starting at 2pm from Halles Saint Géry and will be at the Grand Place at 4.0 pm
Concept 2023
‘Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Ireland joining the European Economic Community
&
The 30th anniversary of the establishment of the European Union.’
&
The 25th Anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement
The 17th of March is the national holiday of Ireland. Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated in every corner of the world and parades take place in over 140 cities annually where Irish communities have settled. These global celebrations are a symbolic of the impact that a small country has had through the movement of its people.
The parade is centrally important as it brings different aspects of Irish art, music and culture out into the public sphere and invites everyone, Irish or not, to celebrate positive values of inclusion, openness and community.
For Brussels, the parade highlights the city's position as diverse, international capital and strengthens the bonds between two small European countries with a lot of shared history.
In recognition of Brussels being the capital of Belgium, Flanders, and the European Union, we aim to have our Parade, as in New York, to be truly a ´Melting Pot´ Parade of many cultures that the Irish bring together for one day in the year, invite everyone to ´´Wear the Green´- the symbolic colour of Ireland ´and be Irish on the day. It is for this reason that our multicultural Parade in Brussels aims to be a Parade of the Nations & Regions
Our Parade will again be a historical stroll of discovery that will not only celebrate Irish culture but also help promote the architectural heritage of Brussels. Many people in Belgium and around the world will learn, from the Parade publicity about the Brussels of the past and present, its little-known side-streets and cobbled squares bedecked by its century’s old monuments. Along the Parade route, we will embrace the stories of the past, the local customs, and the traditions of the historic streets. As an evolution of these stories, we will weave in the Irish story to create new Irish traditions and ceremonies that will become the Brussels stories of tomorrow and for generations to come.
This year, we again will continue to promote Brussels as a retail centre. More shopping arcades will be illuminated in green over the weekend and more shops and restaurants will have Irish Green Window displays along the route of the Parade.
Irish Village Project.
Tubbercurry & South Sligo to present Shamrock Bowl to City of Brussels.
It was decided that the 2023 Irish in Europe Association Year Theme is ‘’ ‘Music of the Isles Transcends Borders & Time - Ireland Leads’
It is also for this reason we recognise Tubbercurry & South Sligo for making an enormous contribution to Irish Music, dance & song and will have the honour of presenting the Tubbercurry & South Sligo Shamrock Bowl to the City of Brussels to recognise the South Sligo Music Tradition.
We continue the following ceremonies:
Parade though Galeries Royales, alongside Galerie Ansbach and alongside Passage du Nord for the first time..
Brussels for Good Luck Irish Ceremony at Everard t´Serclaes Monument
Review of Parade at Grand Place - Presentation of the Tubbercurry & South Sligo Shamrock bowl to the city of Brussels,playing of the Irish, Belgian and European Union National Anthems.
Door of Welcomes Ceremony
Annual Irish Toast to the health of the Bourgmestre ( not forgetting a birthday toast to make the Bourgmestre's birthday on the 18 March!
We have one new ceremony, a moment of reflection of Place des Martyrs.
Brussels Saint Patrick´s Day Parade starting at Les Halles Saint Géry.
Every one welcome to ‘Wear the Green’' &‘Be Irish & for the Day’!!!!
On Saturday 18 March (Saint Patrick's Day Parade, 2023) @ 13h30
Led by the Brussels Caledonian (Corneymusers) Pipe Band.
Individuals Music & Dance Groups, Social, Sporting and Cultural organisations welcome to walk in Parade-No entry fee!
Groups & organisations please let us know you are walking in Parade!!!
Write to: Parade Secretary: patricks.day.parade(at)gmail.com
Organised by Europe Association (International) aisbl (IEAI). info@irishineurope.org
• What to bring Come along ´Wear the Green´´and be Irish for the Day!! Cultural and Civic Society groups of all nationalities are welcome to attend and walk in the Parade.. Only rule no Party political slogans on banners are allowed. Everyone Welcome!
If you would like to help out in the organisation of the Parade or know of any group that could participate in the Parade,please contact our Parade Secret at:
patricks.day.parade@gmail.com