The 2026 edition of the Brussels Flower Carpet transforms the city's historic Grand-Place into a large-scale floral rendition of Katsushika Hokusai's woodblock print "The Great Wave off Kanagawa."
Organizers constructed the installation using more than 750,000 dahlia flowers across approximately 1,300 square meters of the central square.
The biennial event, which began in 1971, typically draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to view the temporary artwork assembled by volunteers over several days.
This year's design marks a cultural collaboration between Belgian horticultural tradition and Japanese artistic heritage, adapting the ukiyo-e masterpiece into a living medium.
Dahlias were selected for their durability and color range, allowing the composition to maintain its visual integrity throughout the display period.
The installation remains in place for a limited time before the flowers are removed and the square returns to its regular civic function.
Previous editions have featured geometric patterns, regional themes, and designs celebrating international partnerships, but this is the first time a classic Japanese artwork has served as the primary template.
The project involves coordination between the City of Brussels, horticultural specialists, and Japanese cultural representatives to ensure fidelity to the original composition.
brussels rolls out hokusai’s great wave in 750,000 dahlias for flower carpet 2026
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