Cinquantenaire

{{Short description|Park in Brussels, Belgium}} {{About|the park|the museum|Cinquantenaire Museum|other uses}} {{Use British English|date=October 2021}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}} {{Infobox park | native_name = {{unbulleted list|{{native name|fr|Parc du Cinquantenaire}}|{{native name|nl-BE|Jubelpark}}}} | image = Arco del Cincuentenario, Bruselas, Bélgica, 2021-12-15, DD 115-135 HDR PAN.jpg | image_size = 345px | image_caption = The centrepiece [[Cinquantenaire Arcade#Arch|Cinquantenaire Arch]] with the U-shaped arcade and large halls on both sides | type = Public leisure park, pedestrian square | location = [[City of Brussels]], Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium | coordinates = {{coord|50|50|26|N|4|23|34|E|type:landmark_region:BE|display=inline,title}} | area = {{convert|30|ha|abbr=on}}<ref name="AutoWorld: Building history">{{cite web|title=Cinquantenaire buildings|publisher=[[AutoWorld (museum)|Autoworld]]|url=http://www.autoworld.be/en/7_1.asp|access-date=2008-07-05|archive-date=23 August 2011|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110823084400/http://www.autoworld.be/en/7_1.asp}}</ref> | created = 1880 | operator = | visitation_num = | status = Open year-round | open = | public_transit = {{unbulleted list|{{rint|be|rail}} [[Schuman railway station|Brussels-Schuman]]|{{rint|brussels}} {{rint|brussels|1}} {{rint|brussels|5}} [[Schuman metro station|Schuman]] and [[Merode station|Merode]]}} }}

The '''{{lang|fr|Parc du Cinquantenaire|italic=no}}''' ({{IPA|fr|paʁk dy sɛ̃kɑ̃t(ə)nɛːʁ|pron}}; {{langnf|fr||Park of the Fiftieth Anniversary}}) or '''{{lang|nl|Jubelpark|italic=no}}''' ({{IPA|nl|ˈjybəlˌpɑr(ə)k|pron}}; {{langnf|nl||Jubilee Park}}) is a large urban public park of {{convert|30|ha|abbr=on}} in the easternmost part of the [[Brussels and the European Union|European Quarter]] in [[Brussels]], Belgium.

Most buildings of the U-shaped complex that dominate the park were commissioned by the [[Federal Government of Belgium|Belgian government]] under the patronage of King [[Leopold II of Belgium|Leopold II]] for the 1880 ''National Exhibition'' commemorating the 50th anniversary of the [[Belgian Revolution]]. During successive exhibitions, more structures were added to the site. The centrepiece [[Memorial gates and arches|memorial arch]], known as the [[Cinquantenaire Arch]] ({{langx|fr|Arc du Cinquantenaire|link=no}}; {{langx|nl|Triomfboog van het Jubelpark|link=no}}), was erected in 1905, replacing a previous temporary version of the arcade by [[Gédéon Bordiau]]. The surrounding {{convert|30|ha|abbr=on}} park esplanade was full of [[picturesque]] gardens, ponds and waterfalls. It housed several trade fairs, exhibitions and festivals at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1930, the government decided to reserve the Cinquantenaire for use as a leisure park.<ref name="AutoWorld: Building history"/>

The [[Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History]] has been the sole tenant of the northern half of the complex since 1880. The southern half has been occupied by the [[Art & History Museum]] (formerly the Cinquantenaire Museum<ref name="Cinquantenaire">{{cite news|url=http://www.levif.be/actualite/belgique/le-musee-du-cinquantenaire-s-appelle-desormais-le-musee-art-histoire/article-normal-837817.html|title=Le Musée du Cinquantenaire s'appelle désormais le Musée Art & Histoire|date=9 May 2018|accessdate=10 May 2018|publisher=Le Vif|agency=Belga}}</ref>) since 1889, and [[Autoworld (museum)|Autoworld]] automobile museum since 1986. The [[Temple of Human Passions]] by [[Victor Horta]], a remainder from 1896, the [[Monument to the Belgian Pioneers in Congo]] from 1921, and the [[Great Mosque of Brussels]] from 1978, are located in the north-western corner of the park (''see [[#Map|map below]]'').

Lines [[Brussels Metro line 1|1]] and [[Brussels Metro line 5|5]] of the [[Brussels Metro]] and the [[Rue Belliard|Belliard Tunnel]] from the [[Rue de la Loi|Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat]] pass underneath the park, the latter partly in an open section in front of the arch. The nearest metro stations are [[Schuman metro station|Schuman]] to the west of the park, and [[Merode station|Merode]] immediately to the east.

==History== Originally, the area now known as the {{lang|fr|Cinquantenaire|italic=no}}/{{lang|nl|Jubelpark|italic=no}} (French/Dutch) was part of the military exercise ground of the [[Garde Civique]] outside of [[Pentagon (Brussels)|Brussels' city centre]], the so-called "Linthout" plains. For the ''National Exhibition'' of 1880, the plain was developed as an exhibition space. The location was named {{lang|fr|Cinquantenaire}} in French (literally "Fiftieth Anniversary") and {{lang|nl|Jubelpark}} in Dutch ("Jubilee Park") because it was planned to celebrate the half-century since [[Belgian Revolution|Belgian independence]] in 1830.

{{multiple image | align = right | direction = horizontal | image1 = Parc du Cinquantenaire, 1880 National Exhibition.jpg | width1 = 180 | alt1 = | caption1 = The inauguration of the {{lang|fr|Parc du Cinquantenaire|italic=no}}/{{lang|nl|Jubelpark|italic=no}} at the 1880 ''National Exhibition''{{efn|name=fn1|Note the substitute arch, the intact southern Bordiau wing, Quenast Columns and frontmost fountain.}} | image2 = La fête patriotique du cinquantenaire de l’indépendance belge en 1880 - Version colorisée.jpg | width2 = 204 | alt2 = | caption2 = The patriotic celebration of the 50th anniversary of [[Belgian Revolution|Belgian independence]], Cinquantenaire Park, 16 August 1880 | footer = }}

The [[Cinquantenaire Arcade]] ({{langx|fr|Arcade(s) du Cinquantenaire|link=no}}, {{langx|nl|Arcade(s) van het Jubelpark|link=no}}) was planned for the 1880 exhibition and was meant to commemorate the anniversary. In 1880, only the bases of the [[Memorial gates and arches|memorial arch]]'s columns were completed, and during the exhibition, the rest of the arch was constructed from wooden panels. In the following years, the monument's completion was the topic of a continuous battle between King [[Leopold II of Belgium|Leopold II]] and the [[Federal Government of Belgium|Belgian government]], which did not want to spend the money required to complete it. The park was also one of the sites of the [[Brussels International Exposition (1897)|Brussels International Exposition of 1897]], for which the existing buildings' wings were extended, although the arch was still incomplete.{{sfn|Schroeder-Gudehus|Rasmussen|1992|p=128–131}}

[[File:Jubelpark 1897.jpg|thumb|left|View of the Cinquantenaire during the [[Brussels International Exposition (1897)|1897 International Exposition]]]]

The original architect was [[Gédéon Bordiau]], who spent close to twenty years on the project. The structures were built in iron, glass and stone, symbolising Belgium's economic and industrial performance. The construction of buildings was put on hold in 1890 for lack of funds, and was eventually stopped by the architect's death in 1904. His successor, chosen by Leopold II, was the French architect [[Charles Girault]]. Girault changed the design from a single to a triple arch, and began a course of round-the-clock construction in a final push to complete it.

The original pavilions of the 1880 exhibition, designed by Bordiau, were largely replaced with the [[Arcade (architecture)|arcade]] designed by Girault in 1904 and the large halls on both sides. Only the glass-constructed Bordiau halls remain from the 1880 structures. The monument was completed with private funding in May 1905 and the arcade was inaugurated by Leopold II on 27 September 1905, just in time for the 75th anniversary of Belgian independence.<ref name="monument">{{Cite web|last=Région de Bruxelles-Capitale|title=Arcade et hémicycle|location=Brussels|language=fr|year=2009–2010|url=https://monument.heritage.brussels/fr/Bruxelles_Extension_Est/Parc_du_Cinquantenaire/A016/18722|access-date=9 June 2022}}</ref> The triumphal arch that had already been planned was amended and expanded to meet the king's wishes.<ref name="monument" />

A fire destroyed the south wing of the complex in 1946, part of the [[Royal Museums of Art and History]] (RMAH).<ref name=":0" /> The collection pieces were saved, and the burnt wing has since been rebuilt. As for the north wing, home to the [[Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History]], it was spared.

==Current tenants and usage== Nowadays, the various buildings of the Cinquantenaire complex host three museums: the [[Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and of Military History]], which has been the sole tenant of the northern half of the complex since 1880; the [[Art & History Museum]] (formerly called the Cinquantenaire Museum<ref name="Cinquantenaire" />), which has occupied its southern half since 1889; and [[Autoworld (museum)|Autoworld]] automobile museum. In addition, the north-western corner of the park is the location of the [[Great Mosque of Brussels]] (1978), as well as two monuments: the [[Temple of Human Passions]] (1896), and the [[Monument to the Belgian Pioneers in Congo]] (1921).

The surrounding park esplanade has been used for several purposes, such as military parades<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arnould |first=Celine |title=Archive {{!}} 21 juillet 1965: drache nationale puis defilé royal |url=https://www.lavenir.net/actu/belgique/2017/07/20/archive-21-juillet-1965-drache-nationale-puis-defile-royal-QI33HMUZJBCUPIAOUG5DOVD4EU/ |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=lavenir.net |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=H |first=V. d W. et An |title=Flahaut déménage le défilé du 21 juillet |url=https://www.lalibre.be/belgique/2002/03/04/flahaut-demenage-le-defile-du-21-juillet-THKASZ2J7BFCVONU5RW3HVILHM/ |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=La Libre.be |language=fr}}</ref> and [[Drive-in theater|drive-in movies]] in the summer,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.brusselslife.be/E/article/id/1948 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729022818/http://www.brusselslife.be/E/article/id/1948 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-07-29 |title=Drive-In Movies Is Celebrating Its 20th |publisher=BrusselsLife |access-date=2008-08-01 }}</ref> as well as a filming location for films and music videos.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Le clip majestueux de Stromae au Cinquantenaire pour "Fils de joie" |url=https://www.rtbf.be/article/le-clip-majestueux-de-stromae-au-cinquantenaire-pour-fils-de-joie-10950383 |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=RTBF |language=fr}}</ref> It is also the starting point for the [[20 km of Brussels]], an annual run with 30,000 participants.<ref>[http://www.20kmdebruxelles.be/20km/info_en.htm Renseignements généraux] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008161344/http://www.20kmdebruxelles.be/20km/info_en.htm |date=October 8, 2007 }}</ref>

===Cinquantenaire Arcade=== {{Main|Cinquantenaire Arcade}}

The [[Cinquantenaire Arcade]] ({{langx|fr|Arcade(s) du Cinquantenaire|link=no}}, {{langx|nl|Arcade(s) van het Jubelpark|link=no}}) is a [[Memorial gates and arches|memorial arcade]] in the centre of the Parc du Cinquantenaire. The centrepiece is a monumental triple arch known as the Cinquantenaire Arch ({{langx|fr|Arc du Cinquantenaire|link=no}}, {{langx|nl|Triomfboog van het Jubelpark|link=no}}). It is topped by a bronze [[quadriga]] sculptural group with a female charioteer, entitled ''Brabant Raising the National Flag'', by [[Jules Lagae]] and [[Thomas Vincotte]].{{sfn|McDonald|2011|p=113}} The other sculptures include personifications of [[Provinces of Belgium|Belgian Provinces]] (Brabant being represented by the quadriga): [[Hainaut (province)|Hainaut]] and [[Limburg (Belgium)|Limburg]] by [[Albert Desenfans]], [[Antwerp (province)|Antwerp]] and [[Liège (province)|Liège]] by [[Charles van der Stappen]], [[East Flanders]] and [[West Flanders]] by [[Jef Lambeaux]], and [[Namur (province)|Namur]] and [[Luxembourg (Belgium)|Luxembourg]] by [[Guillaume de Groot]].<ref name="monument" />

[[File:Arcade du Cinquantenaire (DSCF7405).jpg|center|thumb|upright=2.75|Panoramic view of the [[Cinquantenaire Arcade]]. The Cinquantenaire Arch was completed in 1905, replacing a previous temporary version of the arcade.]]

===Military Museum=== {{Main|Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History}}

The [[Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History]] is a [[List of military museums|military museum]] that occupies the two northernmost halls of the historic complex. The museum's collection originally consisted of approximately 900 pieces collected by the officer Louis Leconte following [[World War I]].<ref name=":0" /> Leconte collected considerable equipment abandoned by the Germans in 1918. The museum was originally installed on the site of [[La Cambre Abbey]] and moved to the Cinquantenaire Park in 1923.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Musée de l'Armée et d'Histoire militaire – Inventaire du patrimoine architectural |url=https://monument.heritage.brussels/fr/Bruxelles_Extension_Est/Parc_du_Cinquantenaire/1a/18703 |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=monument.heritage.brussels |language=fr}}</ref> The collection was later heavily enriched by legacies, gifts and exchanges. Nowadays, the museum displays uniforms, weapons, vehicles and military equipment of all ages and all countries.

The north wing, built by [[Gédéon Bordiau]], has been occupied by the Aviation Hall since 1972, when the Air and Space gallery was inaugurated.<ref name=":0" /> The collection includes various types of aircraft, both military and civilian, some dating back to the early 20th century. It includes surviving WWI aircraft like the [[Nieuport 17]] and [[Sopwith Camel]], whilst the most recent additions include an [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16 Fighting Falcon]] and [[Westland Sea King]]. The collection as a whole is one of the largest in the world.{{sfn|Palix|1982|p=58–63}}

<gallery mode="packed" heights="160"> File:Cinquantenaire entrance.jpg|Entrance to the [[Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History|Military Museum]] in the northern Bordiau Hall File:2016-08-24 D3 3964 Q 3 O BD K1 Musee de l armee KLM MRA K2 Salle Historique K3 K4.jpg|Main gallery, with the collection of Belgian 19th-century militaria File:Wiki Loves Art - Bruxelles - Musée royal de l'armée et de l'histoire militaire - intérieur (13).jpg|View of the aviation section in the North Hall </gallery>

===Art & History Museum=== {{Main|Art & History Museum}}

The [[Art & History Museum]] is a museum of [[antiquities]] and [[ethnographic art|ethnographic]] and [[decorative arts]] that occupies most of the southern part of the complex. It is one of the constituents of the [[Royal Museums for Art and History]] (RMAH), which itself is part of the Belgian [[Federal government|federal]] institute of the [[Belgian Federal Science Policy Office]] (BELSPO), and is one of the [[list of largest art museums|largest art museums]] in Europe.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Art & History Museum {{!}} Art & History Museum |url=https://www.artandhistory.museum/en |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=www.artandhistory.museum}}</ref>

The museum consists of several parts, including a national collection of [[Cultural artifact|artefact]]s from [[prehistory]] to the [[Merovingian]] period ({{circa|751 AD}}), as well as from [[classical antiquity]] of the [[Near East]], [[Ancient Egypt|Egypt]], [[Ancient Greece|Greece]] and [[Roman Empire|Rome]]. Artefacts from non-European civilisations, such as China, Japan, Korea, [[pre-Columbian America]], and the [[Middle East|Islamic world]], are also on display. Additionally, a collection of European decorative arts includes pieces from the [[Middle Ages]] to the 20th century, such as sculptures, furniture, tapestries, textiles, costumes, old vehicles, etc.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Collections {{!}} Art & History Museum |url=https://www.artandhistory.museum/en/collections |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=www.artandhistory.museum}}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed" heights="160"> File:Park of the Cinquantenaire - Royal Museums of Art and History, Brussels, 2010 (HDR 2).jpg|The [[Art & History Museum]]'s dome in the south-western part of the complex File:Antiquity collection - Cinquantenaire Museum - Brussels, Belgium - DSC09067.jpg|Classical antiquity collection File:Islamic art collection - Cinquantenaire Museum - Brussels, Belgium - DSC09104.jpg|Islamic art collection File:American collections - Cinquantenaire Museum - Brussels, Belgium - DSC08962.jpg|American collection </gallery>

===Autoworld=== {{Main|Autoworld (museum)}}

Autoworld is an [[automobile]] museum occupying the South Hall of the complex. It displays a large and varied collection of over 300 vehicles, including cars and motorcycles from various eras, retracing the history of the industry from its birth in the 19th century to the modern age. These include [[Minerva (automobile)|Minervas]], a 1928 [[Bentley]], a 1930 [[Bugatti]] and a 1930 [[Cord Automobile|Cord]], and several [[limousine]]s belonging to the [[Monarchy of Belgium|Belgian royal family]].<ref name="Autoworld">{{Cite web |title=Museum history {{!}} Autoworld |url=https://www.autoworld.be/en/the-museum/museum-history |access-date=2022-06-05 |website=www.autoworld.be |language=en}}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed" heights="160"> File:Autoworld Cinquantenaire.JPG|Entrance to the ''Palais Mondial'' (South Hall), housing [[Autoworld (museum)|Autoworld]] File:Blue Boulevard 2.jpg|View of Autoworld's collection in the South Hall </gallery>

===Great Mosque of Brussels=== {{Main|Great Mosque of Brussels}} [[File:Great Mosque of Brussels.jpg|thumb|The [[Great Mosque of Brussels]], former seat of the Islamic and Cultural Centre of Belgium]]

The Great Mosque of Brussels is located in the north-western corner of the park. It is the oldest [[mosque]] in Brussels, and is the former seat of the Islamic and Cultural Centre of Belgium.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bauwin|first=Adeline|date=2019-02-01|title=L'exercice du culte à la Grande Mosquée de Bruxelles sera assuré après le départ du CICB|url=https://bx1.be/communes/bruxelles-ville/lexercice-culte-a-grande-mosquee-de-bruxelles-sera-assure-apres-depart-cicb/|access-date=2024-01-09|website=BX1|language=fr-FR|archive-date=9 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109003622/https://bx1.be/communes/bruxelles-ville/lexercice-culte-a-grande-mosquee-de-bruxelles-sera-assure-apres-depart-cicb/|url-status=live}}</ref> The latter operates a school and an Islamic research centre. The centre provides courses of [[Arabic]] to adults and children, as well as initiations to Islam.<ref>Torrekens Corinne, ''Espace de la Mosquée à Bruxelles : nouveaux liens sociaux et investissement politique'' (in French), REMMM, no 125, p. 149.</ref>

The original building was erected by the architect {{ill|Ernest Van Humbeeck|fr|Ernest Van Humbeeck}} in a [[Moorish Revival architecture|neo-Moorish]] style, to form the Oriental Pavilion of the ''National Exhibition''. For the exhibition, the pavilion housed a monumental painting on [[canvas]], ''Panorama of Cairo'', which enjoyed major success. Insufficient funds for maintenance during the period of the [[world war]]s caused the building to gradually deteriorate.<ref name="mosque">{{Cite web |title=Grande Mosquée et Centre islamique et culturel de Belgique – ancien Pavillon du Panorama du Caire – Inventaire du patrimoine architectural |url=https://monument.heritage.brussels/fr/Bruxelles_Extension_Est/Parc_du_Cinquantenaire/14/18706 |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=monument.heritage.brussels |language=fr}}</ref>

In 1967, during an official visit to Belgium from King [[Faisal of Saudi Arabia]], King [[Baudouin of Belgium|Baudouin]] decided to turn the building into a place of worship. The mosque, designed by the Tunisian architect Mongi Boubaker, was inaugurated in 1978 in the presence of [[Khalid of Saudi Arabia|Khalid ibn Abd al-Aziz]] and Baudouin.<ref>Martin Dunford, Phil Lee. The Rough Guide to Brussels. Penguin, 2009. {{ISBN|9781405383776}}, p. 114</ref><ref name="mosque" />

===Temple of Human Passions=== {{Main|Temple of Human Passions}}

The Cinquantenaire Park is the location of the [[Temple of Human Passions]], also known as the Horta-Lambeaux Pavilion, a [[Neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]] pavilion in the form of a [[Greek temple]], built by the architect [[Victor Horta]] in 1891–1897. Although classical in appearance, the building shows the first steps of the young Horta towards [[Art Nouveau]]. It was designed to serve as a permanent showcase for ''[[The Human Passions]]'', a monumental marble [[relief]] by the sculptor [[Jef Lambeaux]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pavillon et relief Les Passions humaines – Inventaire du patrimoine architectural |url=https://monument.heritage.brussels/fr/Bruxelles_Extension_Est/Parc_du_Cinquantenaire/A015/18721 |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=monument.heritage.brussels |language=fr}}</ref> Since its completion, the building has remained almost permanently closed. Since 2014, it has periodically reopened to the public.<ref name="Passions">{{Cite web|title = Les passions "scandaleuses" dans le marbre|url = http://www.lalibre.be/culture/arts/les-passions-scandaleuses-dans-le-marbre-55bb94263570b546530ae4a3|website = lalibre.be|access-date = 2015-08-01|first = Guy|last = Duplat|trans-title = "Scandalous" passions in marble|date = 31 July 2015}}</ref>

===Monument to the Belgian Pioneers=== {{Main|Monument to the Belgian Pioneers in Congo}}

In the Cinquantenaire Park also stands the [[Monument to the Belgian Pioneers in Congo]], designed by Thomas Vinçotte in 1912–1921, and honouring the [[Belgian colonial empire|Belgian colonial efforts]] in the former [[Belgian Congo]]. Partly due to the proximity of the Great Mosque of Brussels, an inscription regarding the [[Trans-Saharan slave trade|Arab slave trade]] is the subject of ongoing controversy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Monument du Congo – Inventaire du patrimoine architectural |url=https://monument.heritage.brussels/fr/Bruxelles_Extension_Est/Parc_du_Cinquantenaire/A004/18710 |access-date=2022-06-18 |website=monument.heritage.brussels |language=fr}}</ref>

==Map== [[File:Maquette van de Cinquantenaire.jpg|thumb|A [[maquette]] of the Cinquantenaire complex]]

{| style="margin: auto; margin-bottom: 19px;" | {{Image label begin|image=Cinquantenaire map.svg|width=700|text=Map of the park and the complex|caption=Map of the park and the complex}} {{Image label small|x=0.47|y=0.229|scale=700|text=''N. Bordiau wing''}} {{Image label small|x=0.462|y=0.414|scale=700|text=''S. Bordiau wing''}} {{Image label|x=0.47|y=0.245|scale=700|text=[[Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and of Military History|'''Military Museum''']]}} {{Image label|x=0.49|y=0.428|scale=700|text=[[Cinquantenaire Museum|'''Art & History Museums''']]}} {{Image label|x=0.641|y=0.416|scale=700|text=''South hall (Palais Mondial)'' [[AutoWorld (museum)|'''Auto- world''']]}} {{Image label small|x=0.637|y=0.18|scale=700|text=''North hall''}} {{Image label small|x=0.406|y=0.1545|scale=700|text=''Sports ground''}} {{Image label small|x=0.618|y=0.333|scale=700|text=''Arch''}} {{Image label small|x=0.09|y=0.127|scale=700|text=[[Great Mosque of Brussels|Mosque]]}} {{Image label small|x=0.06|y=0.18|scale=700|text=[[Temple of Human Passions|THP]]}} {{Image label small|x=0.25|y=0.335|scale=700|text=[[Rue Belliard|BELLIARD TUNNEL]]}} {{Image label end}} |}

==Plans== {{Further|Brussels and the European Union#Future}} {{Multiple image | align = right | direction = | image1 = Northern Hall entrance.jpg | width1 = 180 | alt1 = | caption1 = The Cinquantenaire is envisioned as "Europeanised", and its North Hall (pictured) could possibly be turned into a major "socio-cultural facility". | image2 = Cinquantenaire Park.jpg | width2 = 207 | alt2 = | caption2 = The esplanade in front of the arch. In the plans mentioned in this section, the [[Rue Belliard|Belliard Tunnel]] would be enclosed. | footer = }}

In September 2007, then-[[European Commissioner for Administrative Affairs, Audit and Anti-Fraud|European Commissioner for Administrative Affairs]], [[Siim Kallas]], together with then-[[Minister-President of the Brussels-Capital Region]], [[Charles Picqué]], unveiled plans for rebuilding the European district.<ref name="EA buildings">{{cite web|title=EU promises 'facelift' for Brussels' European quarter|publisher=EurActiv|date=2007-09-06|url=http://www.euractiv.com/en/pa/eu-promises-facelift-brussels-european-quarter/article-166526?Ref=RSS|access-date=2007-09-27}}</ref> They included "Europeanising" parts of the Cinquantenaire complex, and installing a major "socio-cultural facility" in the North Hall, enabled to hold "major congresses and, perhaps, European Summits, events, exhibitions", after moving the Aerospace Museum out to [[Tour & Taxis]] in the north-west of the city. The Cinquantenaire would under the plans become one of three European pedestrian squares, being the one for events and festivities.<ref>Brussel Nieuws. [http://www.brusselnieuws.be/site/rubrieken/1091053933/page.htm?newsID=1193217749 Brussel verruimd de horizon]{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. Retrieved on 2007-12-11</ref>

Other plans were announced in 2022 to renovate the Parc du Cinquantenaire including the archway as part of a project called "Cinquantenaire Bicentenaire" for the 200th anniversary of Belgium's independence.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cinquantenaire 2030 |url=https://cinquantenaire.brussels/en/ |access-date=12 April 2024|website=Jubelpark - Cinquantenaire |language=en-gb}}</ref>

==In popular culture== * The Cinquantenaire was used as a filming location for [[Lucile Hadžihalilović]]'s film ''[[Innocence (2004 film)|Innocence]]'' in 2004.<ref name=":1">{{Citation |title=Innocence (2004) - IMDb |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0375233/locations |access-date=2022-06-08}}</ref> * The Cinquantenaire Arch was featured in the [[urban planning]] [[Construction and management simulation|simulation]] video game ''[[SimCity (2013 video game)|SimCity]]'' in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cinquantenaire Arch - SimCity Wiki Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/simcity/Cinquantenaire_Arch |access-date=2022-06-08 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> * The music video for [[Stromae]]'s song ''Fils de joie'', part of his album ''[[Multitude (album)|Multitude]]'', was also filmed there in 2022.<ref name=":2" />

==See also== {{Portal|Belgium}} * [[Brussels and the European Union]] * [[Mundaneum]] (of [[Paul Otlet|Otlet]]; originated there after World War I) * [[History of Brussels]] * [[Culture of Belgium]] * [[Belgium in the long nineteenth century]]

==References==

===Footnotes=== {{Notelist}}

===Citations=== {{Reflist|40em}}

===Bibliography=== * {{cite book|last1=Deltour-Levie|first1=Claudine|last2=Hanosset|first2=Yves|title=Le Cinquantenaire et son site|series=Bruxelles, ville d'Art et d'Histoire|volume=1|location=Brussels|language=fr|publisher=Éditions de la Région de Bruxelles-Capitale|year=1993|url=https://patrimoine.brussels/liens/publications-numeriques/versions-pdf/bvah/le-cinquantenaire-et-son-site}} * {{cite book|last=Demey|first=Thierry|title=Bruxelles en vert. Le guide des jardins publics.|location=Brussels|language=fr|publisher=Badeaux|year=2010|isbn=978-2-930609-00-3}} * {{cite book|last=Demey|first=Thierry|title=Léopold II (1865-1909). La marque royale sur Bruxelles|location=Brussels|language=fr|publisher=Badeaux|year=2009|isbn=978-2-9600414-8-4}} * {{cite book|last1=Hannequart|first1=Jean-Pierre|last2=Schamp|first2=Eric|last3=Pulings|first3=Marie-Claude|title=Découvrir Bruxelles par ses Espaces Verts|location=Brussels|language=fr|publisher=Institut bruxellois pour la Gestion de l'Environnement, Commission communautaire française|year=1996}} * {{cite book|last=McDonald|first=George|title=Frommer's Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg|location=Hoboken, NJ|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|year=2011|isbn=978-1-118-06151-0}} * {{cite journal|last=Palix|first=Didier|title=Les avions du musée de l'armée à Bruxelles|journal=Connaissance de l'Histoire|volume=46|language=fr|publisher=Hachette|year=1982}} * {{cite book|last1=Schroeder-Gudehus|first1=Brigitte|last2=Rasmussen|first2=Anne|title=Les fastes du progrès : le guide des expositions universelles 1851-1992|location=Paris|language=fr|publisher=Flammarion|year=1992|isbn=978-2-08-012617-7}}

==External links== * {{Commons category-inline|Cinquantenaire}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20130603121830/http://www.klm-mra.be/klm-new/engels/main01.php?id=amuseum%2Fgeschiedenis History of the Cinquantenaire Park and the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History]

[[Category:Cinquantenaire| ]] [[Category:Urban public parks]] [[Category:Parks in Brussels]] [[Category:1880 establishments in Belgium]] [[Category:World's fair sites in Belgium]] [[Category:World's fairs in Brussels]] [[Category:Leopold II of Belgium]] [[Category:Symbols of Brussels]]