During the summer, BRUZZ goes in search of the nicest places to hang out in Brussels. A tribute to the lazy haunts that stimulate creativity. Our third instalment: the Park van Vorst/Parc de Forest.
© Kevin Van den Panhuyzen
On a balmy Sunday evening, there is a pleasant buzz in the Park van Vorst/Parc de Forest. Frisbees fly through the air, a man strums his guitar under a tree, and there are little groups of laughing faces everywhere. For Romain Fourteau (28) from Sint-Gillis/Saint-Gilles, this is the place to meet friends when the weather is fine. And you don’t need much more than a bag of peanuts and a bottle of cava.
© Kevin Van den Panhuyzen
Do you come here often? “Whenever the weather permits. You would never see me here in the winter, but I come here often in the summer, almost always with friends. I live right beside the park and since I do not have a balcony at home, this is the only place I can enjoy the sun. I do occasionally come here alone to read a book, but that is less fun.”
What do you usually do here? “Chat with friends, drink, and tan. I sometimes meet new people. There are little groups of friends everywhere, and sometimes they start blending together. Because it clicks, or you realize that you live close by or that you have mutual friends, because Brussels is tiny.”
What kinds of people does the park attract? “Families, young people, people who come to play football…all sorts really. I really like the motley crowd here, especially culturally. Everyone knows that there are a lot of Spaniards and Portuguese people in Sint-Gillis/Saint-Gilles, but there is also a big Maghreb community, and there are even French people. You can find a mix of everyone at the park. I think most people come here to spend time with their loved ones.”
What makes this place so attractive to you? “It is very close to my apartment. This is my garden. And there is a lot of space here. Now that summer has arrived, the weather is beautiful. On days like this the streets in cities like Paris would be jampacked. We don’t realize how lucky we are here.”
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