Local neighbourhood committees successfully lobbied Ixelles commune authorities in view of the June 2008 European Football Championship that will take place in Austria and Switzerland. After months of petitions and demonstrations by and subsequent discussions and negotiations with committees' representatives the authorities decided to permit small-scale TV screenings on the pavements of Ixelles. Local residents will have to organise the necessary equipment and facilities.
A spokeswoman for one of the neighbourhood committees expressed her delight emphasising that this was a great day for Ixelles, because locals will now have not only the chance to enjoy Euro 2008 in open-air style but also another formidable possibility to prove wrong all those many critics, pessimists, and fatalists that constantly and falsely claim that Brussels communes and neighbourhoods are not much more than grey and dirty places of wasteland-like anonymity, die-hard egoism, and pure darwinism. Instead, the football screenings will be joyful fiestas showing that Ixelles neighbourhoods are tight webs of togetherness, friendliness, and mutual respect and support. The committees started making plans 7 months ago, she added, and have already begun setting up fully-equipped screening areas.
Planet Lasse was invited to visit and test some of these and was impressed: in addition to TV sets also sofas, mattresses, and big fridges with chilled drinks have been provided for.
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