Key facts
- The U.S. embassy in Brussels is hosting a large event to celebrate the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence on June 28.
- The celebration will take place in Cinquantenaire Park and is expected to host around 8,000 guests.
- The event has faced criticism from local politicians and environmental activists regarding its scale, security measures, and potential impact on wildlife.
- Facial recognition technology will be used for guest entry, with photos to be deleted post-event.
- A planned F-35 flyover was canceled, but historic aircraft will still perform.
- The event is funded by private donations and aims to strengthen U.S. relations with Belgium, NATO, and the EU.
A large-scale celebration planned by the U.S. embassy in Brussels to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence is set to be the most sought-after event in the city on June 28, despite ongoing political tensions between the United States and Europe. The event, to be held in Cinquantenaire Park, is expected to draw approximately 8,000 guests, including high-profile politicians, diplomats, and military officials.
Concerns have been voiced by various stakeholders regarding the ambitious scale of the event. Local politicians and Members of the European Parliament have questioned the timing, citing significant divergences between the U.S. and the EU on issues such as trade tariffs, digital dependencies, and foreign policy. Environmental activists and animal welfare groups have raised alarms about the planned fireworks display, fearing it could harm nesting swifts in the park and are calling for its cancellation.
Security measures for the event are unusually stringent, with guests required to upload facial photographs in advance for facial recognition at the entrance. This biometric data collection has raised privacy concerns, although the U.S. embassy states it complies with GDPR regulations and photos will be deleted post-event. The park will be closed to the public for up to 36 hours to accommodate the celebration and associated security preparations.
Logistical challenges have also been privately expressed by U.S. officials, with doubts about the feasibility of executing such an ambitious event. A planned flyover by F-35 fighter jets was canceled due to concerns about economic disruption from airspace closure, though a flyover by historic aircraft is still scheduled. The event is being organized by U.S. Ambassador to Belgium Bill White, who has secured private funding to cover the estimated €3.6 million in expenses.
Despite the controversies, organizers anticipate a "phenomenal, fantastic, momentous and fun party." The guest list includes Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. The headline act will be the country group Zac Brown Band, replacing Nile Rodgers. The celebration is intended to underscore enduring relations between the U.S. and its European partners.