Brussels’ May events: Neighbors day - Immeubles en fête. Created in 2002 on the model of what was done in Paris, Immeubles en Fête has now become another traditional May event in Brussels. It is a great success, perhaps because the event matches the Brussels ethos quite well: the idea is very simple, with neighbors organizing a “neighborhood party” for which they get some help and sponsoring from the municipalities and sponsors. From the official website’s description (in typical Bruxellois broken English ;)):

The purpose:
Create a dynamic of hospitality and reinforce proximity and solidarity amongst neighbours. Today, as we live in a multimedia society, it has become easier to talk to someone at the other side of the world, than to say hi to a neighbour. Solitude and indifference reign in the cities of today, so ” The European Neighbours’ Day ” offers a moment where getting to know new people is easy. [...] Over 235.000 Belgian citizens and 6.000.000 Europeans took part in the operation and gathered around a drink, to break the ice, to meet for the first time, to exceed the stage of indifference and a simple greeting…

Popularity: 19% [?]