Brussels (Brussels Morning) – On the last weekend in June, Schaerbeek in Brussels celebrates its unique Fête de la Cerise or Kriekenfeest (Cherry Festival) in Parc Josaphat, featuring a unique contest – cherry pit spitting.
This weekend in June 2024, Brussels’ biggest municipality will once again maintain its annual cherry festival, delivering a host of free activities for all generations in Parc Josaphat, including the hotly-expected cherry pit spitting competition. The cherry festival was first started by Schaerbeek Mayor Bernard Clerfayt (DéFI) in 2000, drawing between 5,000 to 10,000 visitors annually (depending on the weather). The pit spitting contest was invented around the same time.
Why does Schaerbeek celebrate the Cherry Festival annually?
“The concept was to bring all of Schaerbeek’s residents together with a festival embedded in the commune’s tradition of donkeys and cherries,” Schaerbeek Councillor Baptiste Buidin said. The municipality has been recognised for its cherry trees for centuries, as they were raised there when the area was just a little village in the countryside, on the outskirts of Brussels. The municipality’s historic seat is next to the modern-day town hall at Place Colignon, where there are still ancient rural remains from the 17th century, Buidin defined.
How did Schaerbeek’s Cherry Festival tradition begin?
“Cherries were utilised to make Kriek [cherry-flavoured beer]. The donkeys not only hauled the cherries to the breweries but also other farm produce from Schaerbeek and the surrounding region to the Brussels markets on the central boulevard by Botanique. And the donkeys are still there, on a farm in Parc Josaphat.” “At one point, there were even more donkeys than residents in Schaerbeek because of all the food that had to be transported.”
These centuries-old practices are therefore at the heart of the Cherry Festival, Buidin stated. “We are reinterpreting the practices and making it a more festive experience because there aren’t many cherry trees left in Schaerbeek now.
Buidin commented that the festival brings the neighbourhood together in part due to its central and popular location. “Parc Josaphat is a conference place for all Schaerbeek residents, as well as people from elsewhere. It’s a real crossroads for the community.”
What activities are featured at Schaerbeek’s Cherry Festival?
The Councillor acknowledges that the festivities also connect people. “This party welcomes everyone; there are sports and classic activities for young and old alike. The range of movements on offer appeals to all people of all races– and there are many in Schaerbeek.”
The activities on this year’s schedule include MUZIK1030, food trucks and shows at the bandstand on Saturday, with Josselin Beaumont functioning at 18:00, Wall of Fire at 19:30 and Bicky Love at 21:00. On Sunday, there will be horse riding, stilt hikers, bubble blowing, concerts and food trucks, as well as the famous cherry pit spitting contest, which usually attracts around 100 participants.
“I’m always impressed that so many people take part, both children and adults. It’s always good fun. The competition is very popular among locals, and even local councillors take part. It’s a convivial occasion,” Buidin added.
