Press releases

MINSK, 22 February (BelTA) - Brussels' world famous Manneken Pis statue will model a Belarusian national costume, spokesperson for the Belarusian Bellegprom light industry concern Natalia Kravtsova told BelTA.

“The Belarusian national costume for Manneken Pis statue has been made by the Bellegprom companies. The statue will model the Belarusian costume on 10 March on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Belarus and Belgium,” Natalia Kravtsova said.

Linen fabric for the costume was provided by Orsha Linen Mill. It has been treated with special chemical to make it resistant to weather. The costume itself has been manufactured by Eliz factory. The costume has been designed by Natalia Ligorova, a young fashion designer at Eliz. The footwear was made by the Minsk footwear factory Luch and designed by Luch chief designer Larisa Korshun. The belt was made by Skarbnitsa company and the hat by the Khoiniki factory of art products.

The event on 10 March will include a formal part in the town hall with the participation of Belarusian Ambassador to Belgium Alexander Mikhnevich, officials of the mayor’s office and representatives of the Belarusian community in Belgium. The dress up event will also feature music by Belarusian folk bands and Belarusian drinks.

The tradition to dress up the Manneken Pis statue came up in 1698. The first known gift of a costume was by Maximilian II Emanuel, governor general of the Spanish Netherlands. Manneken Pis has hundreds of different outfits in his wardrobe. About 800 outfits are kept in the Brussels City Museum, located in the Grand Place. The costumes are managed by the non-profit association "The Friends of Manneken-Pis", who review hundreds of designs submitted each year, and select a small number to be produced and used.