The Napoleonic tradition respected in Brussels
(BRUSSELS2) The Napoleonic tradition was well respected in Brussels. To celebrate the enthronement of the new King Philippe, 101 cannon shots were fired from the Parc du Cinquantenaire - where a triumphal arch stands - towards the Rue de la Loi - symbol of the Belgian government, where the seat of the Prime Minister as of Parliament (*).
Napoleon had determined it, the monarchies followed
At the rate of one detonation every thirty seconds, the salvo lasted fifty minutes. " Tradition has it that servicemen fire 101 cannons during a royal handover. And this one dates back to Napoleon », explains Captain Nico Busschaert, staff officer with the Artillery Battalion. The French Emperor had determined it in its time. The other European monarchies including the Belgian royal house have adopted the custom. »
Cannons dating from 1941
To fire these shots, the Belgian artillerymen had recourse to guns which are no longer of the prime youth. American-made Howitser M101, dating from ... 1941. Guns engaged, among others, during the Korean War. Withdrawn from service in 1999, they continue to be used for ceremonies such as November 11
(*) But coming from the fiftieth anniversary, the first building is that of the European diplomatic service (EEAS) where the few officials on duty had to cover their ears...