| Meyboom | |
|---|---|
.jpg) The planting of the Meyboom in Brussels | |
| Status | Active |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Locations |
|
| Country | Belgium |
| Inaugurated | c. 1308 |
| Most recent | 9 August 2025 (2025-08-09) |
| Next event | 9 August 2026 (2026-08-09) |
| Website | www |
| Processional giants and dragons in Belgium and France | |
|---|---|
| Country | Belgium |
| Reference | 00153 |
| Region | Europe and North America |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 2008 (3rd session) |
| List | Representative |
TheMeyboom (French, formerDutch spelling) orMeiboom (modern Dutch)[a] plantation is the oldest tradition inBrussels, Belgium, attested since 1308. It is held every year on 9 August, the eve ofSt Lawrence's Day, and consists mainly in the planting of abeech at the intersection of theRue des Sables/Zandstraat and theRue du Marais/Broekstraat in theCity of Brussels' Marais–Jacqmain district.[2][3][b]
The event has several phases, with some parts of the ceremony being open to the public, and others reserved for tradition bearers. It is organised by theCompanions of St Lawrence, a city association, and is accompanied by processions and various folk activities during the day.[2][3] The celebration is reminiscent of Brussels' long-standing (folkloric) feud withLeuven, which dates back to theMiddle Ages. Following a friendly incident in 1974 in which the Meyboom was stolen and taken to Leuven, both cities have claimed to be planting the "real" Meyboom.[5]
Since 2008, the Meyboom has been recognised as aMasterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity byUNESCO,[6][2][3] and it is also listed asintangible heritage of theFrench Community of Belgium.[7]
The tradition goes back seven centuries, and according to the local folklore, commemorates a victory of Brussels over the nearbyFlemish town ofLeuven in 1213. That year, a brawl broke out between the two cities over taxation on beer. Indeed, at the beginning of the 13th century, thebourgeois of Brussels enjoyed frequentingguinguettes (i.e. smalltaverns) located outside thecity walls, where the price of beer was not subject to city taxes. One afternoon, a gang of troublemakers from Leuven turned up in force and unexpectedly attacked one of these guinguettes,Het Cattenhuys, where a wedding was being celebrated. TheCompanions of St Lawrence, a cityguild whose members were present in the establishment, came to the aid of Brussels' inhabitants and vigorously repelled the aggressor.[8][1][2] Grateful, theDuke of Brabant at the time,Henri I of Brabant, granted the guild the status of corporation and gave it the right to plant henceforth a tree of joy orMeyboom, a symbol of youth and fertility. As a tribute to the new corporation, the plantation date was set to 9 August, the eve ofSt Lawrence's Day, the guild'spatron saint. However, it was not until 1308, underJohn II, Duke of Brabant, that this privilege was exercised for the first time.[1][9]
This feat of arms has long puzzled historians, as there are no documents to corroborate the legend. Another version pits the people of Brussels against those ofGhent, and a third, mentioned by the French historian Adolphe Guérard, includes the people of Leuven, united with those of Brussels, in this fight.[10][11] Variants also place the events in 1143 or 1308. The 1143 version refers to a marriage between a man from Leuven and a woman from Brussels, a relationship that ended abruptly.[11] The year 1308 itself may have corresponded to another important event in the history of the city or duchy; for example, 1213 was the year of the second marriage of Duke Henry I toMarie of France,[12] although this delay of almost 100 years remains unexplained. The first explicit mention of the Meyboom dates from 1579, when the Chamber of Accounts allowed the inhabitants of the district known as the "Bas-Fonds" (today'sMarais–Jacqmain district) to fetch the tree from theSonian Forest, on the outskirts of Brussels, and bring it back to the city for planting. The custom was once again reported in 1635 and 1648.[13]
In spite of Brussels' tortuous history, including the 20th-century demolition of most of the Marais–Jacqmain district (seeBrusselisation), the Meyboom tradition has been maintained throughout the centuries. There is, however, some doubt about it taking place in 1725.[c] In 1831, with circumstances difficult and money scarce due toBelgium gaining its independence, the men of the neighbourhood were reluctant to continue organising the ceremony. Regardless, the local women took on the initiative and ensured the planting. The processions of 1839 and 1840 were particularly lavish. During the twoworld wars, the plantation still took place, although no procession was organised, with a few faithful guardians of the privilege planting either a shrub, a small bush, or even a simple plant, at the corner of the two streets.[1]
The first attempt by Leuven to steal the tree took place in 1939. That year, the people of Leuven, traditionally at odds with those of Brussels, organised the removal of the tree. Taking advantage of the fact that the latter were enjoying themselves in the taverns, they transported the precious load in another truck and disappeared. The Meyboom's organisers, furious and distraught, immediately contacted the police and the thieves were arrested at the entrance to Leuven. In the meantime, the citizens of Brussels had found another tree and hastily planted it to save their honour.[1][2] Another incident happened in 1974, when a group of men from Leuven, calledThe Men of 1929, managed to find out which tree Brussels had earmarked as its Meyboom. On the night of 8 August, they cut down the tree and brought it to Leuven, where they erected it in front of theCity Hall. Brussels chose to ignore what had happened and felled another tree. Ever since, the two cities have been involved in a friendly rivalry to decide who owns the "real" Meyboom.[5][14]
In 2005, the Meyboom was recognised asintangible heritage of theFrench Community of Belgium,[7] and in 2008, as one of theMasterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity byUNESCO, as part of the binational listing of 'Processional giants and dragons in Belgium and France'.[6] In 2017, the Meyboom was included in theinventory of intangible cultural heritage of the Brussels-Capital Region.[15]
Throughout its history, the Meyboom has evolved considerably. In its current version, the tree is designated by the city's Plantation Department and "chosen" by theCompanions of St Lawrence in theBois de la Cambre/Ter Kamerenbos. According to tradition, it must weigh at least 600 kg (1,300 lb), measure 12–13 metres (39–43 ft) in height and be leafy. It is cut down at dawn, around 6 a.m.,[3][9] before being carried byBûûmdroegers ("tree bearers") through the municipalities ofSchaerbeek,Saint-Josse-ten-Noode and theCity of Brussels—where most of the bearers reside following the demolition of the historic Bas-Fonds district—with several halts along the way.[2][3] The procession is accompanied by amarching band,Poepedroegers ("giant puppet bearers"), theWheel of Fortune,Kêrstoempers ("cart pushers"),Meybloemekes ("flower-handing women"), as well asGardevils ("city guards") responsible for securing the procession since 2001.[16][2][3] At 1 p.m., a tribute is paid to the deceasedCompanions, to the Bas-Fonds district, and to the "children" of the district who died for their country.[3]
The procession then forms at the corner of theRue du Marais/Broekstraat and theRue des Comédiens/Komediantenstraat (near theCompanions' premises, at 37,rue des Sables/Zandstraat), and sets off at 1.30 p.m. along a fixed route through theRue du Fossé aux Loups/Wolvengracht, thePlace de la Monnaie/Muntplein, theRue des Fripiers/Kleerkopersstraat, theRue de Tabora/Taborastraat, theRue du Midi/Zuidstraat, theRue du Lombard/Lombardstraat, theRue de l'Étuve/Stoofstraat, and theRue de l'Amigo/Vruntstraat, before arriving at theGrand-Place/Grote Markt (Brussels' main square) where the tree is presented to the city's authorities and the population around 2.00 p.m.[2][3][9] At 2.45 p.m., the procession departs from the Grand-Place via theRue Chair et Pain/Vlees-en-Broodstraat, theRue du Marché aux Herbes/Grasmarkt, theRue de la Fourche/Greepstraat, theRue de l'Écuyer/Schildknaapsstraat, theRue Montagne aux Herbes Potagères/Warmoesberg, and finally returns to the corner of the Rue des Comédiens and the Rue du Marais around 4.30 p.m. Along the way, small branches of the tree and flowers are distributed, supposed to bring good fortune for the year to come.[2][3]
The culmination is the plantation itself, at the corner of the Rue des Sables and the Rue du Marais, to the encouragement of the crowd. It ends in apotheosis when a valiantBûûmdroeger climbs the tree to attach theBelgian flag, accompanied by the brass band which begins playing a tune byAndré Grétry entitledWhere can one be better than within his family (1769), followed byThe Brabançonne (Belgium'snational anthem). The planting must take place before 5 p.m. to avoid a victory for the "Louvanistes" (i.e. Leuven's inhabitants).[1][2][3] The tree is not actually planted, but stuck in a purposely provided pit in the ground[3] and removed the next day. If successful, the event is celebrated until dawn.[2]
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Media related toMeyboom at Wikimedia Commons