Brussels decks out Grand Place with begonias

Its merchant palaces dripping already with centuries-old gold leaf, the Grand Place in Brussels has also been decked out with 600,000 begonias in a giant tribute to African weaving in a big bi-annual tourist draw.

Its merchant palaces dripping already with centuries-old gold leaf, the Grand Place in Brussels has also been decked out with 600,000 begonias in a giant tribute to African weaving in a big bi-annual tourist draw.

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Basking in balmy temperatures, the 1,800-square-metre display inspired by the tapestries of Ethiopia, Congo, Nigeria, Botswana and Cameroon has taken over what is already one of Belgium's biggest visitor attractions and is expected to be viewed by 100,000 people over the weekend.

In situ until Sunday, the Brussels mayoral deputy responsible for tourism, Philippe Close, said the locally-grown floral tribute -- www.flowercarpet.be -- was a big hit with Japanese and other overseas TV crews.