This Halloween, reconnect with Tervuren’s ancient Celtic heritage on a free guided walk through the Tervuren Arboretum. On Sunday, November 2, 2025, from 13:30 to 16:30, the Sonian Forest Nature Group (NGZ) invites you to explore the Ogham Celtic tree alphabet .

The walk provides the perfect context to learn about the Ogham alphabet, a unique writing system based on trees and plants. Though its exact origins are debated, it is believed by many to have emerged in 4th-century settlements in West Wales. Here, it was influenced by Romanized Britons familiar with the Latin script, as evidenced by bilingual Ogham stones found in Wales that are inscribed in both Irish and British Latin.

This free Arboretum walk is a great opportunity to explore the connection between language, nature, and history in the heart of Tervuren.

While Tervuren’s name may be medieval Dutch, the area’s deeper Celtic history is still evident in its streams and villages. The brook known as the Voer, which gives its name to streets like Voerweg, almost certainly reflects the Gaulish root uer- or vor-, meaning “water, stream.” This is the same root found in the word for whiskey. Similarly, the hamlets of Moorsel (mori- “marsh” + selo- “dwelling”) and Duisburg (dubra “water”) also hint at our rich Celtic past.

Event Details and Tickets

For more information and to get your free tickets for this unique guided walk, visit ngz.be.

Join Natuurgroepering Zoniënwoud to uncover the ancient stories written in the landscape and celebrate the Celtic legacy that continues to shape our region.

Read our exclusive interview with Arboretum’s forest ranger Kevin Knevels by Tervuren+’s Jasmin Kohl.

Tervuren still plans to build a €1.7 million waste processing center at Vossem Business Park, despite ongoing legal action by a local resident demanding a cycle and footpath along Tervuren’s most dangerous Leuvensesteenweg (N3). Budget constraints have meanwhile frozen plans for expropriations needed for the path.

Mayor Geyns, who also oversees urban planning, has chosen not to wait for a ruling from the Flemish Council for Permit Disputes. And despite a pledge to be a full-time mayor, he has returned to practicing law and has previously argued defended clients’ property rights before the same tribunal.

Earlier this year, Geyns blasted the Vossem resident whose lawsuits have halted several building permits at the business park, including those for Au Flan Breton and a farm equipment depot. The resident says authorities must construct a safe walking and cycling route from Leefdaal to the Q8 petrol station before allowing heavy lorry traffic linked to the park’s expansion.

So far, the resident’s legal challenges have led to the annulment of disputed permits. But Geyns appears determined to push the waste processing center through. “We have an investment of €1.7 million here,” he told the town council, arguing the new site is needed to replace the outdated Oppemstraat facility. “Cases before the Council for Permit Disputes now take over two years. By then, our recycling park will already be built,” he told Het Laatste Nieuws.

At present, only a car wash is operating at the business park, with a €15 million police station — reportedly twice its original cost — due to open soon.

By Dafydd ab Iago. © Article and photos licensed © 2025 for Tervuren+ under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Tervuren residents are bracing for a fresh round of transport disruption as workers paint so-called bicycle “suggestion lanes” (fietssuggestiestroken) on Vossemberg and Rootstraat. Traffic will be diverted via the already congested Tervuren centre and Leuvensesteenweg.

Mayor Thomas Geyns (OpenVLD, Voor Tervuren) and his team sanctioned the two-day closure for contractors to apply the paint on a section of the F29 cycle “motorway” (fietssnelweg) that will link Leuven, Tervuren and Brussels.

Geyns has yet to announce when exactly the two-day closure will take place between 14 and 31 October 2025. Residents are kindly urged to check out the mayor’s Facebook page. That date depends on when contractors can apply the thin layer of bitumen to provide a skid-resistant surface on the painted cycle lanes. If applied below 5°C the bitumen can become too stiff or brittle leading to poor bonding, cracks, and peeling.

The works were commissioned by the Flemish road construction agency, De Werkvennootschap, also in charge of the F29’s €5.4 million Vier-Armen cycling bridge.

Construction of the F29 — financed by the EU and Flanders to the tune of €20 million — has already closed through-traffic in the Park of Tervuren. Reopening has now been mooted by authorities for the end of the year. But this new two-day closure on the Vossemberg will be accompanied by a series of modifications for several key roads, including the Rootstraat.

Motorists now face extended detours. Through-traffic between Vossem and Duisburg will be redirected via the Tervuren’s busiest roads: the N3 Leuvensesteenweg and through Tervuren centre. The temporary prohibition of heavy goods vehicles in Veeweidestraat will funnel more commercial traffic onto alternative local roads.

Mayor Geyns is expected to urge the public to use alternative routes and check for daily updates. And once completed the F29 bicycle “motorway” will link Leuven and Brussels with a fast, safe cycling route.

By Dafydd ab Iago.

The Belgian Tervuren, often called the Terv, is a distinguished and intelligent breed named after the town of Tervuren near Brussels. One of four recognised varieties of the Belgian Shepherd, the Terv was first bred in the late 19th century to herd and protect livestock.

The canine ambassador of Tervuren, Belgium is a variant of the Belgian Shepherd, a breed named after and deeply connected to the town.

The Breed and Its Community

The breed was formally recognised in 1901 by Belgium’s Royal Society of Saint-Hubert. Local breeder M.F. Corbeel played a decisive role in establishing its lineage through dogs named Tom and Poes. Their offspring, Miss, gave birth to Milsart, who went on to become the Tervuren’s first champion in 1907.

Celebrated for its agility, loyalty and sharp mind, the Tervuren reflects the cosmopolitan character of its namesake town. With over 23,000 residents representing more than 116 nationalities, Tervuren is a diverse municipality where 44 per cent of the population is of non-Belgian origin.

The Terv has become world-famous. “If you search on Google you will find breeders in the United States and China – it is truly well known,” town council chair Mario Van Rossum told national broadcaster VRT back in 2018 during the unveiling of the statue.

Born ten years ago in Vossem, and now living in Duisburg, two of the municipality’s three surrounding villages, Oisín (see photo) embodies the breed’s dignity and adaptability.

Named after the mythical Irish warrior-poet, Oisín flourishes on daily walks through Tervuren’s park and woodland – spaces also enjoyed by prominent figures including Belgium’s Prince Laurent and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The Terv has proven versatile beyond its herding origins. During the First World War, it served as a messenger and ambulance dog, earning a reputation for courage and reliability. In later years, its skills extended to search and rescue, as well as becoming a trusted family companion in countries such as the United States and Canada.

A Modern Symbol of Tervuren

Although its popularity once waned, the breed is now enjoying renewed interest, thanks to the efforts of dedicated breeders and enthusiasts. Today, the Terv stands as a living emblem of loyalty, resilience and cultural pride in Tervuren, near Brussels in Belgium.

Town hall grandees organised a competition in 2018 to create a statue or artwork of the Belgian Tervuren. Chair of the jury was Dutch NRC Handelsblad’s editor-in-chief Peter Vandermeersch. He then lived in Tervuren and ultimately chose the design of two Dutch artists.

Artists Fons Broess and Barbara Recourt were awarded €40,000 to design the two 3.9-metre steel statues of the Belgian Tervuren. Today, the Terv statues stand outside the town hall of Tervuren, Belgium. Finished in gold, the sculptures catch light and shadow, symbolising the breed’s role as the eternal guardian of Tervuren.

Author: Dafydd ab Iago. © Article and photos licensed © 2024 for Tervuren+ under the Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International licence.

Duisburg’s Village Festival began in 1976 as a one-off to mark the 750th anniversary of the Charter of Freedoms (Vrijheidskeure), granted by Duke Henry I of Brabant on 8 October 1226. The medieval charter conferred rights and liberties on Duisburg at a time when the Dukes of Brabant often visited their hunting lodge and park (Warande) in Tervuren. The success of that celebration turned it into an annual tradition, now featuring sports, concerts, flea markets and heritage walks.

This year’s programme in Duisburg includes the jubilee edition of the Grape, Flower and Art Exhibition on 15 August in St Catherine’s Church, honouring the region’s horticultural heritage. At its peak, Duisburg boasted 3,840 greenhouses, making it Belgium’s third-largest grape-growing community. Alongside art, concerts and walks, the festival ends with a bustling flea market on Sunday 17 August.

Vossem Feest, launched in 1977, has grown into a three-day celebration of music, children’s activities and sport starting on Friday 22 August. The duck race, complete with professional sports commentary, sees hundreds of brightly coloured, numbered ducks float down the Voer towards the finish, with prizes for winning tickets. This year’s races take place on Saturday 23 August at 18:30 and Sunday 24 August at 19:00.

For younger visitors, the petting zoo at Hof Ter Veldeken offers the chance to cuddle, brush and feed animals, while the farm also supplies and cooks the meat for the Sunday barbecue.

Both festivals rely on volunteers, from erecting tents to serving drinks.

Duisburg – ancient history

Did you now that Duisburg is also steeped in ancient history? In 1883, local farmer Hubert Nootens unearthed a large stone or three large stones, recognized by some as a “dolmen” — a megalithic tomb dating dating to approximately 3000 to 2000 BCE. That was while plowing a field in what is now Achterstraat.

Dolmens were typically used for burials, not sacrificial rites. Some unproven reports allege the stone was broken into three during transport, on the orders of King Leopold II, to become the Zevenster, just a short walk from the Bootjes Huis in Tervuren Park.

Duisburg Festival Highlights

The 49th Duisburg Village Festival concludes on 17 August, alongside the 50th Grape, Flower and Art Exhibition. Meanwhile, Vossem gears up for Vossem Feest from 22 to 24 August, with the colourful duck race on the Voer river as a main attraction.

Historical Roots

Duisburg’s Village Festival began in 1976 to mark the 750th anniversary of the Charter of Freedoms (Vrijheidskeure), granted by Duke Henry I of Brabant in 1226. The success of that celebration turned it into an annual tradition, now featuring sports, concerts, flea markets and heritage walks.

Grape and Flower Exhibition

Held on 15 August in St Catherine’s Church, this jubilee edition honors Duisburg’s horticultural heritage. At its peak, the village had 3,840 greenhouses, making it Belgium’s third-largest grape-growing community.

Vossem Feest Events

Launched in 1977, Vossem Feest is a three-day celebration of music, children’s activities and sport. The duck race, complete with professional commentary, takes place on Saturday 23 August at 18:30 and Sunday 24 August at 19:00.

Family Fun

Young visitors can enjoy the petting zoo at Hof Ter Veldeken, which also supplies and cooks the meat for the Sunday barbecue.

Get Involved

Both festivals rely on volunteers—from erecting tents to serving drinks. Interested?

Visit vossemfeest.be or duisburg.be for details.

Article and photos licensed under the Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International licence.

Geyns (Open VLD, Voor Tervuren) slammed the opposition for a cynical bid to grab headlines with snappy soundbites in the local press. He pointed to a former KAT teacher and later director who once served as alderman for the Belgian Socialist Party, the predecessor of Vooruit. And the mayor also took aim at a former Groen alderman for spatial planning, now working for the Vlaams-Brabant province. “He might even pop into the office upstairs one day a week. And yet you dare lecture me on ethics,” Geyns said.

🎙️ A version of this article is available as a Tervuren+ podcast at https://www.youtube.com/@TervurenPlus 🎙️

Daughter, grand-daughter, grandson and wife

The opposition has spoiled a “unique moment” for Bartholomees, the mayor noted. The KAT boss joins Geyns’ team of six as new alderman for City Marketing and Events. Other notables include first alderman Kristina Eyskens. She is the daughter of former Belgian Prime Minister and baron Mark Eyskens and grand-daughter of former Prime Minister Gaston Eyskens.

Aldermen earn €59,882 per year and normally maintain their daytime jobs. Other big names include two N-VA alderpersons: ex-mayor Marc Charlier and Annemie Spaas, the wife of former mayor and current Vlaams-Brabant governor Jan Spooren. Also featuring is infrastructure alderman Sebastiaan Coudré (CD&V), grandson of a former mayoress and son of a former alderman.

The opposition had argued that Bartholomees would face “ethical concerns”. As KAT director, he’d have a say in decisions affecting rival municipal schools, from education policies to local traffic plans. Strict 2006 Flemish rules normally force school directors to take political leave. But the rules only apply in towns with over 80,000 residents. That leaves Tervuren, where aldermen typically keep their day jobs, in the clear.

Seasoned player in Tervuren politics

A second clash flared over new powers for council chairman Mario Van Rossum (CD&V, Voor Tervuren), who also heads the ethics committee. He can now block agenda items deemed “poorly justified or too vague”. “It’s like a Roman emperor giving a thumbs-up or thumbs-down. You’re punishing all councillors over two interventions you think are weak,” snapped Groen+ leader Elmo Peeters.

Van Rossum insisted the new rule includes a consultation phase where councillors can refine their proposals before any rejection. Earlier this year, he was obliged to request that a Tervuren+Volt member take “more care” and add “substance” when reading out her questions.

Van Rossum is a seasoned player in Tervuren politics. By day, he advises on local administration for ex-mayor Jan Spooren (N-VA), Vlaams-Brabant’s governor since 2020. A council member since 1994, Van Rossum served as alderman from 1994 to 2000 and again from 2006 to 2021.

Author: Dafydd ab Iago. © Article and photos licensed © 2024 for Tervuren+ under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.