No extra security for Brussels Foire du Midi

The annual Foire du Midi fun fair in Brussels, which begins this weekend, will go ahead without additional security measures, despite the level three terror alert, the city council has decided. The fair extends for 2km between Porte de Hal and Porte d'Anderlecht.

According to Marion Lemesre, councillor in charge of economic affairs in Brussels-City, the extent of the fair and its traditional open character make it virtually impossible to imagine introducing new security measures without ruining the event.

“That’s not at all what we want,” said Patrick De Corte, chair of the committee of fairground attraction owners. “We have to stop spreading fear. Brussels has suffered enough damage to its image. The fair has always been an open event, available to everyone, and that’s how we want to keep it.”

The public are asked not to bring closed rucksacks, though no checks will be carried out. Military personnel will patrol in the wider area, but not on the fairground itself. There will be one central police post for dispatching.

The organisers and the owners of the 130 attractions hope to attract more than the 1.6 million people who attended last year. “We’re delighted to have Eddy Merckx this year as patron of the fair,” Lemesre said. “Having a Brussels legend of that calibre behind us sends a clear statement.”

The fair runs until 21 August. On 28 July a group of organisations working with sick children will celebrate the second edition of Sick Children’s Day, when children and their carers can enjoy the fair’s attractions free of charge.

Photo: Nicolas Maeterlinck/Belga