Take a tour around Manneken Pis's new wardrobe

A new museum displaying about 100 costumes from the vast and varied wardrobe of Manneken Pis opens to the public in Brussels this weekend.

Until now, the costumes have been on show in very tight quarters in the Museum of the City of Brussels on the Grand' Place. On Saturday the Manneken Pis wardrobe will be inaugurated in the former House of Folklore and Traditions up the hill from the fountain.

The outfits are divided into themes - geography, folklore, citizen associations, trades, sports and fashion personalities - and will now be given the surroundings they deserve.

Why so many costumes?

The tradition of dressing the Manneken Pis started in the 17h century but the oldest surviving costume today is the one given by Louis XV in 1747. French soldiers had tried to steal the statue and the king offered a gentleman's outfit to the statue to calm things.

Since then there has been a steady stream of offered costumes - becoming a torrent in the 1980s so that today he has more than 960 items in his wardrobe. He wears approximately 130 per year, all according to an official calendar that specifies not only which costume on which day but also at what time.

Back at the City Museum, the space formerly occupied by Manneken Pis's wardrobe will still be devoted to the little guy, with an interactive station where visitors will be able to see all 960 costumes on screen, with information on each one in Dutch, English and French. There will also be a timeline starting with the oldest document (1451) mentioning the statue as "daer dmenneken pist" (there where the child pees).

Thefts

Manneken Pis was stolen a number of times. In 1817 the statue was taken and broken into 11 pieces by an ex-con. This was taken very seriously by the authorities and the vandal was condemned to a life sentence of forced labour after being shackled for an hour on the Grand' Place.

The last time he was kidnapped (in 1965) was a particularly violent one. He was ripped off at the knees and thrown into the canal, only to be recovered in 1966 when an Antwerp magazine received an anonymous tip. Since then the original statue has been on display in the museum, where it will stay.

Not anyone can offer the Manneken a costume. It must be from a country, region, town or borough, or an historic, cultural, sports, folkloric, philanthropic or professional organisation that is at least 10 years old. An official request must be made to the city which is then evaluated by a special commission. And, of course, there must be no advertising, politics or proselytism.

Due to his size and proportions, as well as the need to accommodate the water pipe in his back, all costumes are complicated custom sewing jobs. The dresser must carefully balance on a ladder while dressing him.

On Saturday 4 February, for the opening day festivities, the Ommegang will offer a copy of their oldest existing costume in a ceremony at city hall at 14.00. Then from 15.30 to 18.00 the new Wardrobe will be opened free of charge to the public with a special afternoon tea being served.

Garde Robe du Manneken Pis, Rue du Chêne 19, Brussels