NATO celebrates Belgian National Day
On 21 July, Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy and NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer opened the NATO Village, a set of multimedia exhibitions showcasing the many facets of the transatlantic Alliance and its evolving role. Held in the Parc de Bruxelles / Warandepark on Belgium’s National Day, the NATO Village marked both the Alliance’s 60th anniversary and NATO Headquarters’ move to Belgium in 1967.
“This set of displays surrounding us has two purposes. One is to bring closer to the public the different faces of NATO, to show you what we do,” said the Secretary General, speaking to the public. “And the other purpose of course is to have a chance to interact with our Belgian friends and to enjoy a national day together.”
Both the Secretary General and the Prime Minister gave brief remarks at an opening ceremony before they were joined by Belgian Defense Minister Pieter de Crem and the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Giampaolo di Paola, for a tour of the Village’s exhibits. The group examined touchscreen kiosks illustrating the “NATO story” and dedicated to topics such as NATO’s Science for Peace and Security Programme, the Alliance’s defence against terrorism efforts as well as displays from the Research and Technology Organization, and from Allied Command Operations among others.
“During the last decades, the Alliance has reinvented itself,” said Prime Minister Van Rompuy. “Without NATO, Belgium would no longer be a free country. It is important to underline this on its National Day," he added.
“The influence from which Brussels benefits through the Alliance is invaluable. Our country benefits daily by this permanent exchange of ideas and contacts between people.”
Members of the public could record “questions for NATO” on specially-adapted digital video recorders. The best questions will later be posted and answered on the NATO website. The exhibition also included outdoor performances by a military band from Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). Other military structures represented were the International Military Staff, and Allied Command Transformation, including the Joint Warfare Centre in Stavanger, Norway, the Undersea Reseach Centre, Italy, and the NATO School Oberammergau, Germany. In addition, the NATO Village included displays from a number of agencies, including the NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency, the NATO Standardization Organization and the NATO C3 Agency.
Thousands of curious visitors passed through the NATO stands – people of all ages and backgrounds, with varying levels of knowledge about the organization. Children enjoyed the free balloons, pens, postcards, the NATO Map Game and the NATO Quiz, while older visitors focused on brochures and displays, the giant outdoor video-cube, free DVDs and recording their questions for NATO’s leadership. Many also came into the tents to talk directly with NATO staff members.
The “NATO Village” was organized in partnership and close collaboration between NATO’s International Military Staff, the Public Diplomacy Division and the Belgian Ministry of Defence.
During the course of the day – and for the first time – a large NATO flag hung from the top of the Triumphal Arch in the nearby Parc du Cinquantenaire / Jubelpark in Brussels.