Schuman Lights Up: community spirit in the EU quarter

Under an arched awning surrounded by lit-up Christmas trees and outdoor heaters, locals spent Thursday chatting with friends and neighbours over food and wine. This may not fit with the usual description for the Schuman area, with hectic streets filled with businesspeople and Eurocrats rushing between cars navigating through the seemingly never-ending building works on Rue de la Loi.

The revitalisation of Schuman’s image was back in the news recently with the approval a new plan to redevelop the square. But the changes have already been taking root, thanks to the work of a local initiative, Schuman Square, the main organisers of this month's Lights Up celebrations. Its programme over the next fortnight includes a "EuroHanukah" celebration by the local Jewish community, then a reception laid on by the Permanent Representations to the EU and a two-day Christmas market on 10-11 December.

"For more than 30 years we have seen this square desperately abandoned," says Marion Wolfers, a member of the Schuman Square initiative, which was established in 2013 to respond to the negative portrayal of the Schuman district.

"Now everyone is together - the neighbours, businesses, traders and the European institutions, who have recently been getting to know each other. We want this to be a showcase of things to come here."

Everyone from the locality was asked to participate in giving the area a more intimate and local feel. This led to events such as the Lights up festival, also held last Christmas, and the Fête du Pain held alongside the EU Open Days each May.

With public safety hot on the agenda following the recent heightened terror threat level in Brussels, were there any reservations that these events could proceed, especially in the EU quarter? Wolfers said there were some doubts the week before, but after careful consideration and consultation with the police and city council the decision was made to proceed. People socialising and getting on with life "sends out a very positive message", she adds.

Marion Lemesre, the Brussels city official in charge of economic affairs and trade, says the most important aspect driving the area's new look is that there is a bottom-up approach from locals.

Referring to the Schuman roundabout as the second most-photographed part of Brussels after the Grand Place, Lemesre expressed dismay that the square had been unused for so long. "Now we hope this will change and this will be a renewal project for the area," she added.

And on the security issue, Lesmesre says: "People need to get off the couch, get out of the house and come together at these kinds of events. We want an integration of people who love Brussels."

Schuman Lights Up, until 15 December
Christmas market 11-12 December 10.00-20.00, closing event 15 December 18.00-23.00.
Photo courtesy Steve Johns