Brussels Grand-Place Floral Carpet 2026 Weathers the Heatwave to Recreate Hokusai’s Great Wave
The 24th edition of the iconic Tapis de Fleurs transformed the historic cobblestones of the Grand-Place in Brussels into a breathtaking maritime masterpiece, overcoming blistering August temperatures to showcase more than 750,000 blooms, primarily dahlias, according to reports from RTBF and Euronews.
A Masterpiece Born from Hokusai and Japanese Contemporary Art
Running from August 13 to August 16, 2026, the temporary open-air exhibition brought a distinctly Japanese aesthetic to the heart of the Belgian capital. The intricate design reinterprets Katsushika Hokusai’s bicentennial woodblock print, "The Great Wave off Kanagawa." Artist Hiro Sugiyama spent eight months developing the composition, which measures 70 meters long by 24 meters wide, as detailed by Euronews.
Sugiyama initially worried about working within a restricted palette of 16 colors due to time constraints. However, upon seeing the finished installation come to life, the artist expressed immense relief and excitement. "To be honest, at first, I was quite nerveux about [this limited color palette], but once arrived here and after having seen the design and the flowers arranged, I was very enthusiastic and I understood that I didn’t have to worry about it, because it’s already magnifique," Sugiyama stated, as reported by Euronews.
Beating the Heat: How Dahlias Survived the Summer Surge
While scorching summer temperatures posed a notable challenge to the petals—with RTBF noting that the dahlias suffered under the heat—the botanical spectacle held its ground without ruining the visitor experience. The installation is composed of dahlias, begonias, grass, and bark. Days before the public opening, organizers reproduced the motif on a vast cotton canvas deployed on the square. On Thursday, more than a hundred volunteers worked for approximately six hours to arrange the flowers according to the design, as reported by Euronews.
Diplomatic Milestones and Attendance at the Town Hall
The 2026 edition marks the 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Belgium and Japan. Richard Poncin, a member of the organizing committee, emphasized that the project serves as a bridge between cultures. "The cultural events show people that we can work together, do interesting things together, and this is one of the objectives of this project with our Japanese friends," Poncin explained to Euronews.
The Ambassador of Japan to Belgium, Takeshi Osuga, was also present and participated in the placement of the flowers. "Many Japanese sponsors contributed to this event and I wanted, me too, to bring my contribution by arranging the flowers," Osuga remarked.
According to La Libre.be, 20,000 visitors went to the Hôtel de Ville to see the 24th Tapis de Fleurs. While online tickets sold out, it is possible to buy them on site, during opening hours, at the entrance of the Hôtel de Ville. The Tapis de Fleurs returns every two years, with the first edition dating back to 1971.
Looking Ahead: The Legacy of Brussels’ Biennial Botanical Tradition
As the 2026 exhibition draws to a close, the Tapis de Fleurs continues to be a biennial event on the Grand-Place. By uniting international artists with local Belgian horticulturists, the event proves that urban green spaces and historic architecture can merge.
Did you manage to catch the Hokusai wave from the Town Hall balcony this weekend, or have you experienced previous editions of the Brussels floral carpet? Share your thoughts and favorite memories of the Grand-Place in the comments below.
