Beloved Christmas Tradition Makes Its Return to Brussels This Year

A cherished Christmas tradition returns to Brussels this year

It is the annual Christmas concert in the city’s magnificent Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula.

It takes place on Friday, December 27 at 5 pm and is again organized by the association ARS in Cathedrali.

The concert features the Choir of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, which was founded in September 2019 and brings together singers from across southern Belgium to passionately perform major symphonic works with choir and oratorios.

The event will feature works by César Franck, Théodore Dubois, and Clémence de Grandval.

Under the direction of Anthony Vigneron, supported by Fabienne Pétrisse and Sarah Waterman, the choir aspires to be a partner for professional orchestras.

The co-principal organist of the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula in Brussels and composer, Xavier Deprez, is artistic director, along with Bart Jacobs, of the cathedral’s concert series.

Deprez also serves as president of BSO (Brussels Ses Orgues) and was president of SERVIR (the association of church employees) for ten years.

He teaches organ at the Music Academy of Woluwe-Saint-Lambert in Brussels and was a professor at the Mons Conservatory until 2018.

Xavier Deprez has composed numerous psalms and masses, as well as pieces for a cappella choir and for organ and solo instruments.

Eurotoday is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. It publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, Eurotoday covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and explores the international agenda with a European perspective.


Comments

3 responses to “Beloved Christmas Tradition Makes Its Return to Brussels This Year”

  1. sun lemon Avatar

    Looks like Brussels is putting the “fun” back in “fundamentalist hymns” with this concert! 🎶 I mean, nothing says “jolly holiday spirit” quite like a 5 PM choir showdown in a cathedral—hope they serve mulled wine to drown out the inevitable off-key notes. 🍷😄

  2. FireBrang Avatar

    Oh great, another festive sing-along in a draughty cathedral, just what the doctor ordered! 🎶 Nothing says “Merry Christmas” quite like trying to keep your toes warm while listening to a choir belting out tunes from the 19th century, right? 😂

  3. Sun Washer Avatar

    Oh joy, nothing screams “the festive season” quite like a choir concert in a gothic cathedral—because who doesn’t want to mix the holiday spirit with a good dose of solemnity? 🎶✨ Just what Brussels needed to spice up the post-Christmas blues!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Last News

EU’s Gender Equality Champion Awards: When Fairness Improves Science

EU’s Gender Equality Champion Awards: When Fairness Improves Science

In 2024, researchers at the Jožef Stefan Institute (JSI) in Slovenia recognized the benefits of gender-balanced research.
That year, JSI’s space medicine lab, collaborating with the European Space Agency, was focusing on astronauts’ health but only using male subjects. Meanwhile, US astronaut Sunita Williams extended her stay on the International Space Station.
“The lead resea

Read More

Poland Anticipates US Weapons Delays Due to Iran Conflict

Poland Anticipates US Weapons Delays Due to Iran Conflict

The U.S. and Gulf countries are combating Iranian missiles and drones primarily with Patriot PAC-2 and PAC-3 interceptor missiles. U.S. officials have warned that this could deplete American stockpiles.
This situation is also impacting delivery schedules. According to the Swiss press, delivery of Patriot air defense systems to Switzerland will be further delayed due to the Middle East conflict.
Ku

Read More

Oil Prices Soar Due to Strait of Hormuz Disruption, Sparking Inflation Concerns

Oil Prices Soar Due to Strait of Hormuz Disruption, Sparking Inflation Concerns

Oil prices have surged this week, recording the largest weekly gain since early 2022. The rise is linked to escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly affecting the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil transport. Conflict involving Iran has disrupted shipping in this key passage, causing Brent crude prices to climb by 17.65% to over $85 a barrel.
Strait of Hormuz Disruption
Th

Read More

Vier Wirtschaftsbosse gegen Merz: Krisentreffen in München

Vier Wirtschaftsbosse gegen Merz: Krisentreffen in München

Vier führende Wirtschaftsvertreter stehen Kanzler Friedrich Merz gegenüber: Heute findet ein Krisentreffen auf der Internationalen Handwerksmesse in München statt. Geplant ist ein Gespräch zwischen Merz und den Spitzen von vier Verbänden, um über den aktuellen Kurs der Wirtschaftsstrategie zu diskutieren.

Read More

Rail Presents Major Opportunity for Europe to Reduce Transport Emissions as Road Transport Dominates | Press Releases

Rail Presents Major Opportunity for Europe to Reduce Transport Emissions as Road Transport Dominates | Press Releases

Transport in Europe faces significant climate challenges, with rail offering a low-emission alternative for people and goods. However, dependence on road transport keeps emissions high, says the European Environment Agency. Transport supports over 10 million jobs and contributes roughly 5% of the EU’s GDP but is the only significant sector with increased emissions since 1990. In 2023, trans

Read More

Orbán, Zelenskyy Exchange Threats Over Damaged Russian Oil Pipeline

Orbán, Zelenskyy Exchange Threats Over Damaged Russian Oil Pipeline

Ukraine was prepared to repair the pipeline to unblock a €90 billion EU loan vetoed by Hungary.
“We hope a certain person in the EU will not keep blocking the 90 billion … and Ukrainian soldiers will have weapons,” Zelenskyy said.
“Otherwise, we will give the address of this person to our armed forces, our guys. Let them call him, speak with him in their own language.&#8221

Read More

Social fairness key to success of the EU’s new ETS2 cap-and-trade system | Press releases

Social fairness key to success of the EU’s new ETS2 cap-and-trade system | Press releases

The launch of the EU’s second emissions trading system (ETS2) for road transport and buildings is set to enhance Europe’s decarbonisation goals by promoting cleaner fuels and technologies. Success hinges on early financial aid for vulnerable parties, policy consistency, transparency, public support, and clear communication, as highlighted by the European Environment Agency (EEA).
The EEA’s

Read More

Popcorn-Flavored GMO Tomatoes Developed

Popcorn-Flavored GMO Tomatoes Developed

Chinese scientists have engineered a genetically modified variety of tomatoes with a flavor reminiscent of popcorn, utilizing the CRISPR/Cas9 tool, the development of which earned the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020, according to the South China Morning Post.
These tomatoes, noted for their “surprising aroma,” were cultivated in an experimental greenhouse in Zhejiang Province in eastern China, r

Read More

Pourquoi la nouvelle loi européenne sur l’industrie est une politique climatique déguisée

Pourquoi la nouvelle loi européenne sur l’industrie est une politique climatique déguisée

Les critiques à l’encontre du système d’échange de droits d’émission, élément central de la politique climatique de l’Europe, intensifient les offensives contre les réglementations environnementales.

Read More

Energy App Empowers Neighbours as Local Clean Energy Influencers

Energy App Empowers Neighbours as Local Clean Energy Influencers

A school in Madrid now operates with solar panels on its roof, thanks to investments from local residents. Contributions started as low as €20, and together they amassed nearly €150,000.
The crowdfunding initiative for the Palomeras school was part of AURORA, an EU-backed project using a smartphone app to help citizens monitor their energy consumption and invest in local clean energy endeavors.

Read More