Have you ever been in Belgium? Have you ever heard of Tintin and his dog, Snowy? Yup, it is world-wide known as a legendary comics, which has been published since 1929. It has not only been considered as a comic, but also reflects and influences the International affairs of Belgium towards many countries lately. Tintin was originally created by Georges Remi (1907–1983), a journalist from Brussels. His adventurous stories throughout the world were described in adorable plot so that might leave a deep impression to the readers. Not only for kids, fans of Tintin are varied from their ages, originals and backgrounds. Some parts of the seriess are forbidden to publish. But most of them are still being republished until now as there are still many fans of Tintin in the world. Even, the Adventures of Tintin was filmed in 2011.
However, I would not discuss more about Tintin. Another famous symbol from Belgium is the Manneken Pis. Originally a simple fountain of public utility, Manneken-Pis is considered today a figure of legend, universally known. He became the representative par excellence of Brussels sense of humour - the "zwanze" - and the symbol of the spirit of protest and unconcern which characterizes the people living in this town, but also of the opposition to the multiple foreign occupations and to fanaticism. Nowadays he regularly shares the joys and the sorrows of the city.
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| The Manneken-Pis |
Manneken-Pis was at first a fountain that played an essential role in the former distribution of drinking water since the 15th century. The system was well-known in all of Europe. Towards the end of the 17th century, the statue became more and more important in the city life. It was also a survivor of the bombardment of Brussels in 1695. Manneken-Pis became a precious good and enjoys a ceaselessly growing glory.
During big events, the Belgian adorn him with luxurious clothes. In the 18th century, Manneken-Pis was dressed at least 4 times a year. Since he lost his main function in the network of water conveyance of the city in 19th century, Manneken-Pis gradually became an image and symbol of the Brussels folkrole, the joy of the inhabitants and their capacity of self-mockery.
Although no one really knows the true story that inspired Manneken-Pis, rumours abound.
One such story recounts that he was a little boy who tried to douse a fire in the city with the only weapon he had at hand. Another story claims that he was the lost son of a visiting merchant, who had a statue sculpted to thank the citizens upon finding the boy was found urinating in the garden.
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| Various clothes of Manneken-Pis |
Yet another favourite but unlikely tale claims that the statue commemorates Duke Godfrev III of Leuven, a two-years-old lord who in 1142 had troops battling armies of the Berthouts, the lord Grimbergen. It is said that the little two-years-old lord was placed in the basket hung in a tree to encourage the troops to fight for him. From there, he urinated on the troops of the Berthouts, who eventually lost the battle.
When my friends and I were looking for the Manneken-Pis, I thought that it would be much bigger than a tiny statue. After we found it, we just took some pics and that's all. Then we decided to eat waffle which tasted very good. :9
Well, tiny cold-bronze-friend, it was a memorable moment meeting you in Brussels, Belgium.
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| Me with Manneken-Pis :) |
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