While Antwerp, Belgium is busy preparing for the arrival of 2008 [Fireworks over the river in front of medieval
Antwerp downtown], enjoy some images of the Dec 28 city “after Christmas” parade [sponsored by www.vtm.be].
With most of the characters parading along the historic riverbanks resembling images from a Disney show, let me
assure you: the castle in the background is no Disney prop: it dates from the year 1225, and yes, it’s very real 
I wonder where that Coca-Cola truck came from: aren’t those supposed to be TV commercial-only objects?
This blog is not affiliated with or endorsed by the city of Antwerp, Belgium.
Gorgeous shots. That castle is awesome!
Comment by furiousball — December 29, 2007 @ 6:42 pm
A Christmas parade that takes place after Christmas is anticlimatic, but your photos are beautiful.
Comment by V-Grrrl — December 29, 2007 @ 7:14 pm
Thanks furiousball. It was entirely set up to rival a Disney show, and they succeeded. Especially children were lining up to catch a glimpse. Here’s the video of the Antwerp parade: [Windows Media format: http://www.vtm.be/asx/index.php?/trailers/071225_kerstparade ]
Absolutely Veronica: Antwerp City got this show for free (basically, it was intended to push VTM-TV programming), making the post-Christmas date rather “awkward”. The shots were taken with a basic phone camera, only one out of every 10 shots was usable.
I’d almost forgotten about the parade, but after police stopped all traffic and started lining the riverbanks it dawned on me that the show was passing in front of my door.
The medieval castle is called “Steen” (”Stone”) and can be seen in daylight here: http://www.google.be/images?q=steen+antwerp
Another friend mailed me asking if Antwerp City payed me to post ‘an overdose of PR shots’
I’m not sure if I’m overdosing: I just opened my door, took some shots and walked back inside to have diner.
But then again, I could have chosen to photograph the Antwerp shelter for the homeless after Christmas, a more confronting view of the artificial “holiday season”.
‘You’re oh sooo spoilt’, said a friend, but hey, I do pay a price: living in Disneyland does have its drawbacks. Would anyone want to live here, permanently?
Comment by Peter — December 29, 2007 @ 7:21 pm
What’s up with the anorexic Santa in the bottom left shot? Someone needs to feed him. Send him to Di’s!!! I LOVE your pictures, Peter.
Comment by Claudia — December 29, 2007 @ 11:57 pm
Thanks for the photo compliment Claudia! As for the anorexic Santa: guess he must be a radical vegetarian on a crash diet
Comment by Peter — December 30, 2007 @ 1:59 am