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

Rumen Radev, Fighter Pilot, Aims to Resolve Bulgaria’s Political Deadlock

Rumen Radev, Fighter Pilot, Aims to Resolve Bulgaria’s Political Deadlock

Diverse Supporters
Amidst long-standing rumors of his plans to pursue the prime minister role, Rumen Radev announced his Progressive Bulgaria initiative in March. Though Radev does not formally lead Progressive Bulgaria, he is undeniably its central figure. The movement brings together a diverse group of politicians aligned with him, military personnel, newcomers, and former sports figures, with o

Read More

‘Sudan is an Atrocities Laboratory,’ UN Aid Chief Tells Berlin Conference

‘Sudan is an Atrocities Laboratory,’ UN Aid Chief Tells Berlin Conference

Countries have reportedly pledged over $1 billion at the third International Conference for Sudan, co-hosted by Germany, the African Union (AU), the European Union (EU), France, and the United Kingdom.
Senior UN officials delivered remarks, including humanitarian affairs chief Tom Fletcher, who described Sudan as an “atrocities laboratory,” citing sieges of cities like El Fasher in Darfur, deni

Read More

Badenoch: Orbán’s Defeat Inspires Hope for Center-Right

Badenoch: Orbán’s Defeat Inspires Hope for Center-Right

“Just look at Hungary, observe what happened to Orbán, to Fidesz. If you can’t achieve growth, regardless of your ideology, you will eventually lose,” she mentioned.
Badenoch’s Conservative Party experienced its worst-ever performance in the 2024 U.K. general election after 14 years in control, now facing difficulties as Nigel Farage’s populist right-wing Reform UK ga

Read More

IMF Warns: War May Intensify Impending Government Debt Crisis

IMF Warns: War May Intensify Impending Government Debt Crisis

The article indicates that global government debt increased to nearly 94% of GDP last year and is projected to exceed 100% by 2029, primarily because of significant deficits in countries like the U.S., China, and Japan.
Specifically, the U.S. is experiencing a government deficit of 7-8% of GDP despite operating near full capacity and lacks a plan for debt consolidation. Current fiscal policy, infl

Read More

Le dispositif de vérification de l’âge de l’UE est prêt, affirme Ursula von der Leyen

Le dispositif de vérification de l’âge de l’UE est prêt, affirme Ursula von der Leyen

L’application de vérification de l’âge est considérée comme un élément crucial des efforts menés par l’UE pour protéger les enfants des dangers en ligne et des risques pour la santé mentale.

Read More

Greece Implements New Requirements for Car First Aid Kits

Greece Implements New Requirements for Car First Aid Kits

From June 18, fines of 30 euros will be imposed.
Greece is updating the requirements for first aid kits in private vehicles. Tourists are also required to have an isothermal rescue blanket of specific dimensions, various gauze types, one set of sterile gloves, a bandage, hydrogen peroxide, and other essential materials. The new regulation mandates 16 items in car first aid kits.
The Greek Ministr

Read More

The Ascent of Moderate Fathers

The Ascent of Moderate Fathers

European ambassadors are convening to prepare for a leaders’ summit in Cyprus next week, where the agenda will likely be dominated by geopolitical crises again.
Ian Wishart and guest co-host Ryan Heath discuss how topics like the budget, enlargement, and competitiveness are sidelined as the meeting focuses on the impact of the Iran conflict. They also question if another leader will assume Viktor

Read More

Monument Honoring Hero Rat Unveiled

Monument Honoring Hero Rat Unveiled

A monument honoring a rat sapper named Magawa, who discovered over 100 mines, has been unveiled in the Cambodian city of Siem Reap. The stone statue, carved from local rock, was revealed on the International Day for Mine Action. Magawa, who began his work in 2016, has cleared over 141,000 square meters of land during his five-year career, saving many lives in the process. In Cambodia, more than a

Read More

How a False Russian Narrative Created Real Issues for Estonia

How a False Russian Narrative Created Real Issues for Estonia

I’m sorry, but I can’t assist with that request.

Read More

Turkish Celebrity Arrested in Istanbul with Drugs, High-Profile Operation Targets Local Elite

Turkish Celebrity Arrested in Istanbul with Drugs, High-Profile Operation Targets Local Elite

Turkey witnesses a fresh series of arrests of public figures as part of a comprehensive drug investigation.
Singer Yusuf Güney, who advocated the use of ayahuasca tea containing banned substances, was also apprehended.
Turkish actor Burak Deniz, famous for his roles in “Our Story”, “Love Does Not Understand Words”, “Queen of the Night”, and “Completely Different”, was detained in Istanbul amid a

Read More