Brussels: Cyprus Independence Day was celebrated in Brussels on Wednesday during an event at the iconic Manneken Pis statue, which was adorned with the traditional Cypriot vraka.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the event, held in the early afternoon, attracted a large crowd of Cypriots. The Republic of Cyprus and its Permanent Representation to the EU were represented by Ambassador Petros Mavrikios, Head of the Cyprus Mission to the EU’s Political and Security Committee. The City of Brussels was represented by Karin Lalieux, City Councillor responsible for Culture. Members of the Order of Friends of Manneken Pis and Nicolas Edelman, the Official Dresser of the statue, were also in attendance.
In his remarks, Ambassador Mavrikios expressed gratitude to the City of Brussels for its hospitality. He emphasized the importance of independence and remembered those who sacrificed their lives for this cause. Mavrikios highlighted Cyprus’s achievements, including EU accession in 2004, and its dedication to European values such as human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. He noted Cyprus’s pride in being part of the European family, working together with other member states.
Karin Lalieux, Brussels’ Municipal Councillor for Culture, emphasized that Manneken Pis symbolizes Brussels, the capital of the European Union, and that dressing the statue in Cyprus’ national costume signifies the city’s friendship with Cyprus.
Nicolas Edelman, who has exclusively dressed Manneken Pis since 2014, mentioned that fitting the vraka was a bit more challenging than other costumes, but he was well-prepared for the task. The national costume, featuring the vraka, was donated by the Cypriot Embassy in 2010 and is displayed in the museum’s “Manneken Pis, a Very European Brussels Resident” exhibit alongside other EU national costumes.