Brussel's world-famous icon, the mischievous Mannekin-Pis statue of the "little peeing boy", turned into an Arctic and Antarctic adventurer this morning, when he was presented with a polar expedition suit by Belgian polar explorer and International Polar Foundation president Alain Hubert, to mark the tenth anniversary since the creation of the organisation.
The official presentation of the Manneken-Pis polar costume took place in the beautiful Militia Room of Brussels City Hall - aka the Hôtel de Ville or Stadhuis, in the Grand Place. After the ceremony, the foundation team procession departed to the Manneken-Pis statue with members of the Order of Friends of Manneken-Pis and officials from the City of Brussels.
The Manneken-Pis was veiled by the city flag when we arrived, but when the curtain was pulled away, a strong jet of water was sent forth the Manneken, soaking some of the crowd! Bemused tourists and puzzled passersby stopped to follow - and join in with us in the celebration.
Read more about the Manneken-Pis - including the costumes.
Download
