Last Sunday (28 June), the United States marked its 250th anniversary of independence, throwing a big party under the landmark arch of Parc du Cinquantenaire, in the heart of the European Quarter in Brussels.
The celebration was attended by several guests, including high political figures such as the US ambassador in Belgium, Bill White, the secretary-general of NATO, Mark Rutte, and the president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola.
From American candy to lobster rolls, cheerleaders to rodeo games, the event was huge and highly debated across Brussels. For instance, some did not find it appropriate to celebrate the EU-US relationship given the current political frictions, and also criticised the privatisation of the park to host a limited-access event.
Euronews’ weekly podcast Brussels, My Love? delved into this discussion and explored the state of the US-Iran talks with Ian Lesser, distinguished fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, Lina Aburous, senior managing director and head of critical issues practice at Forward Global and Leo Cendrowicz, journalist and editor for Euronews and The Brussels Times.
The US’s 250th anniversary celebration in Brussels
