Every winter, when the old streets of Brussels begin to dress in Christmas colors, city residents and visitors eagerly await the Plaisirs d'Hiver festival - “Winter Joy.”
Over the past 24 years, the festival has become an integral part of the Belgian capital, bringing together people to share joy, warmth and community spirit during the chilly end of the year. In 2024, more than 4.2 million visitors came to the festival.
According to a VNA reporter in Brussels, this year, from November 28 to January 4, 2026, Plaisirs d'Hiver returns, at the age of 25, full of impressions. Not only famous for its bustling Christmas market, giant Ferris wheel or 20-meter-high, brilliant Christmas tree in the Grand Square - which is always voted as one of the 3 most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe, Plaisirs d'Hiver this year carries a more humane and simple spirit: promoting the connection between people. If every year, Brussels usually introduces a guest country, this year, the festival chooses the capital's people as the "main character."
The theme “Winter Weaving” was inspired by artist Stephan Goldrajch, with images of woolen threads, meshes, etc. expressed in many art activities and community interactions. The idea was not only to decorate the festival space, but also to recreate a colorful Brussels, where each resident is a “wool thread”, contributing to creating a soft and durable community carpet.
Among hundreds of traditional wooden stalls, there is a modest booth that stands out with its warm, bright wool colors. It is the Waka-Up Association booth - displaying scarves, woolen hats, pillowcases... all hand-knitted by female volunteers.
In the chilly air, Ms. Léa Cloux, a member of Waka-Up, patiently knitted each stitch of wool. Her nimble hands seemed to be recording the story of winter in wordless words. Talking to a reporter from VNA, she slowly said: “For us, knitting is not just a craft.
That’s how we build connection. Generations of women come together, share their stories and create something truly meaningful.” The products here are not simply for sale to raise funds. Each scarf has a story, each hat is a thread connecting people’s hearts.
Project Tisse-Reines – “The Weaver Queen” – is at the heart of Waka-Up. All profits go to support initiatives for women who are victims of gender-based violence. And that spirit is encapsulated in their stirring slogan: “Wool against hate.”
Small knitting needles not only create warm products, but also are a gentle response to hurt, a way for people to come together through sharing instead of prejudice.
Inside La Bourse, Waka-Up created the “Knitting Lounge,” an open space that resembles a city living room. There, women of all ages sit together, sip coffee, and knit scarves for the community. The chill of winter melts away in the warmth of laughter.
Anne, nearly 70, said that every Monday afternoon the “Queen of Knitters” gather in the old church to knit for a fundraiser. “It’s a small job, but we believe it helps,” she said proudly.
Ramona also said that at this “Knitting Shop,” she lived in an intimate, cozy atmosphere. Everyone knitted and chatted together, all for the purpose of supporting the fight against gender-based violence against women.
Right next to “The Wicker Shop,” artist Dominique Istaz’s photography exhibition continues this story through visual language. The simple yet emotional portraits capture the journey of Waka-Up members – from group work sessions to the moment of completion.
Dominique sees photography as an act of gratitude: “I want to show the diversity and strength of women, who are quiet but resilient.”
Stepping out of the building, the bustling Rue de la Bourse leading to the Grand Place suddenly turns into an open-air gallery. The work by photographer Kevin Laloux includes 20 portraits of garbage collectors, postal workers and long-time traders. These are the silent people who keep the city alive, respectfully honored through a sincere perspective.
The exhibition makes viewers realize that the beauty of Brussels lies not in its ancient architecture or splendid squares, but in the most ordinary things, in its quiet but precious people.
For five weeks, 10 social organizations took turns operating charity booths. Visitors did not just spend money to buy items; they stayed to listen, to confide, to understand each other better. Amidst the hustle and bustle of urban life, they realized that there was still a space for sharing and connecting.
Plaisirs d'Hiver 2025 is not only a 25th anniversary celebration, but also an affirmation that Brussels - the heart of Europe - is a place where people find each other, support each other and weave together a strong community.
When stories, smiles and kindness come together, winter is no longer cold. It becomes warm with human breath, lit up with small but strong woolen threads, just like the spirit of Plaisirs d'Hiver./.
Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/bi-mua-le-hoi-det-su-gan-ket-giua-long-brussels-post1081543.vnp
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