Berlaar (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Nieuwjaarke zoete (Sweet New Year’s Eve) in Berlaar drew around 500 children, with participants including Kris Martlé, Benjamin, Leila and daughter Lorena, and Annick with a children’s choir, celebrating the New Year tradition.
As VRT News reported, the Nieuwjaarke zoete (Sweet New Year’s Eve) celebration took place on the market square in Berlaar, in the province of Antwerp, Belgium, and attracted many families. Political parties, youth groups, and local organisations set up tents around the square. Children stopped at each stand to sing New Year’s songs and received sweets in return.
What happened at Berlaar’s Nieuwjaarke Zoete celebration this year?
Kris Martlé of the Berlens photography club was present during the celebration. He said the custom reflects how children used to welcome the new year by singing in public.
“A total of 500 children will pass through here today. We’ll provide gin and other drinks for the parents. That way, we want to keep the tradition alive.”
Martlé noted that the tradition continues today, Dec 31, 2025, in a shared setting. Resident Benjamin also joined the event and handed out candy to children.
“I want this tradition to continue. My children used to sing in Berlaar too.”
Families from inside and outside Berlaar attended the Nieuwjaarke zoete event on the market square. Leila came to the town with her daughter, Lorena, after planning a special visit for the occasion.
“We actually live in Lier, but that tradition no longer exists there,”
she says.
“I always loved singing as a child, and I want to pass that tradition on to my daughter.”
Lorena joined other children and sang New Year’s songs at the different stands. As she moved around the square, she collected many sweets. The activity continued throughout the day as families followed the long-standing custom.
“I really enjoy singing for people and then getting candy,”
Lorena says.
Other children also took part in the rounds. Raya and Mohammed gathered a full share of candy during their visits to the tents.
“We’ve collected chips, cookies, candy, and pennies. That’s really nice,”
they say.
Annick arrived in Berlaar together with a children’s choir. The young singers performed on the square and drew attention from visitors.
“We create our own New Year’s song every year,”
she says.
“Then we come here to Berlaar to sing with the whole family.”
“We’re not from Berlaar either, but it’s such a nice place that we’ve been coming here for about five years now,”
laughs Annick.
In Flanders, Belgium, children have participated in the traditional event of Nieuwjaarke Zoete since the early 1800s. Each New Year’s Day, children would visit homes in their local area and sing short songs related to the New Year, wishing their neighbours a Happy New Year.
As cities like Berlaar became more heavily populated during the second half of the 1900s, public safety concerns caused many communities to stop allowing children to visit houses and instead set up community events for children to sing together in a safe, orderly fashion.
