27 Jul 2010

MY WORLD - WATERLOO NATIONAL DAY


more participants here

In my world we had our National Day in Belgium. It is celebrated on July 21 and commemorates the day on which King Leopold I took the constitutional oath as the first King of Belgium, on July 21st 1831. Each European country has its National Day but of course on different dates.

I went there in the morning and watched the preparations.



people are arriving



a trumpeter waits for the start



and people for the mayor and the city council people



food and beer is ready



Attractions for children and adults



The mayor of Waterloo adjusts his tie



and with the veterans wait for the



Belgian anthem



Then the mayor helt his annual speach, about the crisis and missing money as all mayors of the world do, before inviting to an apperitif of champagne and orange juice for the Waterloo citizens.



This man wanted to look like the second King of Belgium, Leopold II (1835 – 1909) who had that long beard.



You could admire some decorated chests



After his speach the mayor had a coffee and I too, while my friend was talking to somebody she knew.



The empty stage, ready for the show in the evening. A Freddy Mercury imitator should sing his hits.



We are all waiting for the start of the show





and here he sings for nearly 2 h, while people swinged and shaked, it was real nice.



The sky got dark and darker and at 11.30 pm there was a firework. After that I went home while a ball started and people danced til late night.

Last year I was in Brussels for the National Day. Of course in the capital it's much more important with the Royal family and a big parade. You can see it here if you wish.

13 comments:

  1. Looks like a great day out. I like all your shots, especially the last one and the also the guy with the long white beard!

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  2. Thank you for walking through your National Day celebrations with me, Gattina. I think I would prefer to be in a smaller gathering than in Brussels with all the important people. Important people are not by type ...

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  3. I think I like this kind of small celebration better, especially with people I know and are comfortable with.

    Belated happy National Day, Belgium!

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  4. I was once in Brussels on this national day. Very nice!

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  5. those medals are definitely eye-catching! looks like a fun day for the celebrations. thanks for the tour.

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  6. It does look like a fun day and celebrations much like ours here on July 4th! Love all your shots! Thanks for taking us along for the celebration! Enjoy your week, Gattina!

    Sylvia

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  7. very nice...
    Love those fancy dude jackets!!!

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  8. Very interesting. It sounds like a nice celebration.

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  9. I think your little celebration was PERFECT! In the BIG city celebrations get TOO big and too many people, and I don't enjoy it! I would rather celebrate like you did! :) It looked like great fun! And your anthem is SO "lively!"... at first I thought that was the carousel music... I was still WAITING for the anthem to start! LOL!

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  10. I think I like your men there with the long beards.lol
    You seem to have had a wonderful day:)

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  11. Nice to see you had so much fun for the National Day!!! we staid in Ollioules for ours this year and it was still quiet! Nice to see the man who wants to seems a king !!! Some have many many decorations on their costum!!!

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  12. http://itistimetothinkformyself.blogspot.com/2010/07/pick-one-or-two-to-share-follow-rule-no.html

    pick one or two awards from my place if you want,
    enjoy a fun day!
    ;)

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