No Tervuren ice-skating this winter. What to know…

In Belgium, mayoral duties can involve dispatching police in freezing conditions to enforce the ban on walking, skating, or playing on ice surfaces. Despite the rule, when ice last graced Tervuren’s lakes, numerous prominent locals were seen flouting the mayor’s directives, turning the lakes into a clandestine playground.

Arboretum Tervuren: preserving the world’s tree diversity

The Arboretum was created by the Belgian forestry specialist Charles Bommer in 1902 at the request of Leopold II. Spanning approximately 120 hectares, it contains around 700 exotic tree species organised in 40 geographic tree groups. Tervuren+’s Jasmin Kohl spoke to forest ranger Kevin Knevels about the state of the tree collection, strong ties with the American Chestnut Association, and wild boars.

No New Year’s fireworks in Tervuren

Tervuren has a comprehensive ban on all types of fireworks, including firecrackers, thunderflashes, and smoke canisters. And the ban even extends to those eco-friendly, 100% biodegradable Chinese lanterns made from rice paper.

Soup at official opening of Tervuren’s cycle bridge

Tervurenaars, too, are invited to the inauguration of the 77.5-meter-long bridge over the Vier-Armen crossroad. The inauguration takes place on Thursday, December 19, from 14:30 to 18:00. There’s free soup, non-alcoholic mulled wine for cyclists, and a “surprise” gadget to make you stand out on the bridge and during the dark winter months.

Procession, mass and riders: St. Hubertus

On Sunday, Oct. 27, the Brotherhood of Saint Hubert commemorated its patron saint in Tervuren. One of the legends holds that he died in Tervuren. And that during his lifetime he owned a piece of land in Tervuren. Obviously the 17th-century Saint Hubert Chapel in the Warande Park and the foundation of the Brotherhood of Saint Hubert in 1605 point to a long history of connection with Tervuren, says the Brotherhood of Saint Hubert.

Vote for your own beer: Tervoerke Tripel

With a clear passion for craft brewing, Tips emphasizes that Tervoerke isn’t aiming to challenge multinational giants. “Our goal is to create beers with a rich, recognizable flavor that people enjoy, while also sharing the story behind them,” he explained. This narrative-driven approach, he says, is something often absent from large commercial brands.

Tervuren’s African elephant back in full glory

The sculpture, made of reinforced concrete, was created by Albéric Collin (1886-1962) for the 1935 World Expo in Brussels. The elephant found its final home in 1938 on the iron sandstone pedestal. After the restoration, the statue has been returned to its original light gray color, instead of the cream white it had faded to.

Tervuren’s summer festivals continue

Tervuren is gearing up for another music festival with ‘t Hof Tervuren starting on Friday 12 July, offering three days of free music ranging from funk, reggae, Jamaican ska, disco, pop, and more, including a performance by Mydonna. And there’s more to come over the summer from a music and foodtruck festival, Duisburg and Vossem festivals. There’s even the shooting of the film ‘How to Kill Your Sister’ in Vossem.

Tervuren’s historic bridge back on 13 November

The restored wrought-iron pedestrian and cycle bridge on Keizerinnedreef in Tervuren park will be officially reopened on Wednesday 13 November 2024. From May 2023 to October 2024, the bridge was restored by the Régie des Bâtiments, with the financial support of the National Lottery.

Tervuren gets mobile sunscreen dispenser

Skin cancer is one of the fastest growing types of cancer in Flanders. “As a municipality, we have a preventive role. That’s why we’ll use this mobile dispenser during activities and events,” says Lut. One in six Belgians faces skin cancer before the age of 75, mainly due to exposure to the sun.

Music returns to Tervuren

“‘t Hof Tervuren was one of the first festivals during the corona years — a free festival with a beautiful lineup and a stunning location, ideal for kicking off the local summer,” says mayor Marc Charlier.

Historic park bridge edges to finish

Restauration works on the historic bridge on the Keizerinnedreef in Tervuren park should be completed this summer. Delays have been caused by the need to carry out more in-depth restauration than previously envisaged.

Tervuren’s fantastic flower market

In just under three years, Sandra’s Flower Lady has become a key figure on Tervuren’s Markt. But was setting up shop in the midst of Covid uncertainties not a bit risky? “If it’s your dream and passion, you don’t care. You know it’s going to be a success,” she tells Tervuren+.

Golf Park Tervuren gets €55k to cut CO2

The province if Vlaams Brabant is giving Golf Park Tervuren €54,809 to cut CO2 emissions by installing solar panels, electric mowing robots, more bicycle parking, sustainable water management and increasing biodiversity on and around the course.

Ski Hut placing is ‘question of weeks’

The €2.5 million ‘Ski Hut’ could now be placed within “weeks”, the Flemish public works agency, De Werkvennootschap, says. The Vier-Armen pedestrian and cyclist bridge was originally scheduled for installation on 15-17 March. The wooden bridge is part of the F29 fietssnelweg, or cycle motorway, between Tervuren and Leuven.

Province delays Tervuren’s McDo closure

Vlaams-Brabant’s senior politicians decided, on Thursday 1 February, to delay, for up to 60 days, a decision on the permit request submitted by McDonald’s for a fast-food outlet near Tervuren’s park and African museum.