Will Ommegang be classified as the UNESCO world heritage?

The Brussels Region has filed an application for the classification of the Ommegang as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, reports RTBF. Brussels Region has sent its official candidacy on Monday 27th March. If granted the status, this tradition will be added to the UNESCO World Heritage list, which will certainly increase the global recognition of the event but also contribute to the attractiveness of Brussels as the city of festivals and rich heritage.

In short, the Ommegang was a religious procession, created in Brussels in 1348. It is known today in its modern version as a folkloric event which was inaugurated in 1930. Around 1400 people in 16th-century costumes depict the atmosphere of the old times, showcasing the reign of Charles V, who had attended the Ommegang of 1549.

This procession is the oldest historical representation of Brussels. Every year, on the first Thursday of July and the Tuesday preceding it, the diverse members of Brussels society march on the streets of Brussels while thousands of tourists enjoy this amazing tradition.

If you want to learn more about this festival and to discover the actual atmosphere, check our post about the last year’s edition – Photo story: Brussels during the Ommegang 2016!