Beringen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The velo fanfare of Beverlo (Beringen) went extinct for many years before its recovery as a new formation. The presence of Velo Fanfare stands out because it represents the sole example in our nation. Now the counter is at 2.
Beverlo (Beringen) has re-established its traditional cycling fanfare after more than 100 years to create music while bicycle riders perform. The revival represents a historical milestone because Belgium used to maintain only one cycling fanfare.
The newly established fanfare started its debut performance by bicycling at Beverlo’s traffic park as part of its long-awaited revival of this decades-old custom.
The initiative spearheaded by Neanias Beverlo occurs at the same time as Heritage Day as part of its mission to restore cultural heritage assets.
“There was a rich tradition of cycling bands in our country, but that has been lost,”
says chairman Wouter Vandermeeren.
“During the celebration of 75 years of Belgium in 1905, there were many processions everywhere and in Beverlo, students started making music on their bicycles. That is how the Neanias cycling fanfare was founded. After 25 years, the bicycle was put aside, and Neanias became a regular fanfare, later becoming a harmony.”
Today, there was a first test drive.
“With trial and error, we thought, but it’s going very well,”
Wouter says.
“We have prepared ourselves well: the bicycles are fixed, we have taken old instruments and costumes out of the closet and the scores are securely fastened to the bicycle. We are completely ready to give it a go.”
What is the historical significance of cycling Fanfares in Belgium?
Cycling fanfares consisted of musical bicycle groups that flourished throughout the earliest years of the twentieth century as an integral part of Belgian cultural traditions. Belgium reached its peak tradition in 1905 when it celebrated its 75th year with parades containing musical riders on bicycles. Numerous fanfare groups thrived throughout Flanders when the movement reached its peak by combining the elements of mobility with music and performance.
The majority of bicycle fanfares disappeared during the middle of the twentieth century because people started preferring different forms of entertainment, and maintaining these groups became difficult. The last active Belgian cycling fanfare that existed before Beverlo’s revival was the Koninklijke Fanfare Wielrijders Sint-Lutgardis, previously based in Beringen, which still performs to this day since its founding in 1926.
The original Neanias Beverlo cycling fanfare from 1905 sustained its operations for twenty-five years until it became non-mobile. The revived version has made Belgium regain its status as a country with two active cycling fanfares after a period of near-extinction.
This initiative corresponded with increasing global trends to protect cultural items without tangible values, including similar European traditions that UNESCO has recently recognised. The reappearance of fanfare music in cycling events pays tribute to Belgium’s ancestral traditions by following the same patterns as past cultural festivities, worship processions, and social celebrations.
The revival demonstrates broader cycling trends across Belgium because nearly six out of ten residents follow cycling activities regularly, and cities such as Bruges and Ghent operate campaigns for car-free days. Through his revival of this distinctive artistic expression, Beverlo enables nostalgic connections with an audience that receives its updated contemporary version, which is similar to other recent European performances, such as Germany’s bicycle brass bands. A Heritage Day show, along with an exhibition, seeks to reintroduce public awareness of the nearly abandoned Flemish heritage.
