Brussels is a city than generates many feelings. Having visited Brussels so very often in former days’ the positive memories remain vividly in my heart and mind. Although the city may have changed, there is a specific and moving spectacle encompassing light, music, and a feeling of history.
The Grand Place is located in the centre of Brussels and blessed with a myriad restaurants and brasseries.
One evening, darkness descended upon the Grand Place like a stage curtain enveloping this atmospheric square. There was silence for a few moments as people either wondered what was happening or already knew what to expect. Either way, the expectation descended upon all in the square.
Suddenly and with the most incredible explosion of simultaneous light and music, the iconic and beautiful buildings lit up, as if a firework display had greeted this glorious square with multi-coloured columns of lights, blessing the area in harmony with music such as I had never heard before.
Classical, wonderous, almost heart-stopping in its intensity and feeling, bringing the history, past, and present, and perhaps for those with imagination, a glimpse of the future, greeting the star-struck onlookers including myself with an almost dream-like plateau of music and light.
Son et Lumière: An outdoor spectacle. A rapture of historic joy, one moment hurtling down to the depths of the earth and then soaring skyward, to where the stars twinkled, inviting those fortunate enough to witness the spectacle to slowly drift down to the ground as the music greeted one with a wave-like power of tidal synchronicity, washing over the senses of light, sound, physical and sensual enlightenment as the music reverberated, almost shaking the air with its intensity.
The music enraptured, enveloped, and transported me to another universe. A paradise of wonder. While writing this description, the sound, the light, the awe, and wonder of that evening visit me as if awakening from a dream to be left in awe as the dream was in fact reality.
The music of Vangelis’ ‘1492, Conquest of Paradise’ remained to light up the sky even as the lights quietly dimmed.
Welcome to BC360, friend Simon! Lovely article about a city I’ve never visited, so it’s much appreciated.