Place Saint-Géry, Brussels, Friday 9 May 2003. From left to right: Freddy Thielemans, Mayor of the City of Brussels; Elio Di Rupo, chairman of the Parti socialiste, federal MP and Mayor of Mons; Bertrand Delanoë, Mayor of Paris; Alain Hutchinson, Brussels Secretary of State for Housing and Energy. In the background: Carl De Moncharline, founder of Immeubles en fête France Belgium, and Atanase Périfan, founder of Immeubles en fête France. Photo Rudolf Marton.
Le Soir, 12 May 2003 - flying visit by Bertrand Delanoë, Mayor of Paris, to place Saint-Géry and the Grand-Place in Brussels, alongside Elio Di Rupo, Freddy Thielemans, Alain Hutchinson, Carl De Moncharline and Atanase Périfan.
Article text · translation
Bertrand Delanoë came to support his "Belgian friends"
Tables covered in red-and-white gingham, red wine flowing freely… The very trendy place Saint-Géry, in the heart of Brussels, turned for half an hour on Friday evening into a socialist HQ. On the terrace, Bertrand Delanoë and Elio Di Rupo drew many a gaze. Come to support his "Belgian friends" in their campaign, the Mayor of Paris made a lightning yet much-noticed appearance in the heart of the capital. On the programme: a walkabout brightened by numerous handshakes and hugs, a refreshing pause on the Grand-Place, a brief appearance at the PS congress devoted to the city and, two Thalys trains later, off to the City of Light. (V. La.) Photo Rudolf Marton.
Context note
Context: the daily La Dernière Heure of 10 and 11 May 2003 documents the purpose of this visit. Bertrand Delanoë and Freddy Thielemans gathered on place Saint-Géry to announce the "Immeubles en fête" operation of 27 May - the name used in its first year by Neighbours' Day in Belgium - before the opening of the Brussels PS federation congress.