Home The dressing of Manneken Pis as Paediatric Oncologist

The dressing of Manneken Pis as Paediatric Oncologist

History in the Making: Iconic Manneken Pis Dressed as a Paediatric Oncologist, Illuminating Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

In September, a remarkable event unfolded in Brussels, as Manneken Pis underwent a breathtaking transformation to symbolize hope and unity during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. On September 6th, the dressing of Manneken Pis as a Paediatric Oncologist took place, leaving a lasting mark on the hearts of the city.

Fashion Meets Compassion: Céline Van den Bossche, the talented fashion designer behind the JANUE label supported SIOPE with the attire for Manneken Pis. Manneken Pis took on the appearance of a Paediatric Oncologist, but the costume itself remained a surprise until the inauguration event. This incredible initiative received the endorsement of the City of Brussels, standing in solidarity with the cause as we aimed to raise awareness of paediatric cancer through the attire of Manneken Pis.

A Permanent Exhibit: The costume of Manneken Pis, dressed as a Paediatric Oncologist, has now become a permanent exhibit at the GardeRobe MannekenPis Museum in Brussels. This ensures ongoing visibility for childhood cancer and continues to raise awareness. More information about the museum can be found here.

Supporting the Cause: Donations were also raised during the event, with the hope of further supporting SIOPE's campaigns and future initiatives throughout the year.

Inauguration Event Highlights:

  • The ceremony took place at the City Hall of Brussels and commenced at 11:00.
  • The Alderman of Culture or a representative opened the ceremony with a warm welcome speech.
  • Dr. Carmelo Rizzari, SIOPE President, delivered a powerful speech representing SIOPE.
  • The official dressed as Manneken-Pis dressed the statue in its new costume.
  • The President of the Order of Friends of Manneken-Pis concluded the event with a closing speech, followed by a heartwarming toast.

 

Unveiling the Costume: Following the ceremony, a procession made its way from the City Hall to the Manneken-Pis statue, passing through rue Charles Buls and rue de l'Etuve. Initially, the Manneken Pis was shrouded in the SIOPE flag and then dramatically revealed, showcasing the Paediatric Oncologist costume. The event came to a close around 12:00, but Manneken Pis remained dressed until 18.00.

You Were Part of History: SIOPE extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended, witnessed, and contributed to this historic event. Together, a meaningful impact was made on raising awareness for childhood cancer.

Social Media Promotion: Throughout the event, the hashtags #SIOPExMannekenPis and #GoldSeptember were used to promote it on social media platforms, spreading the message far and wide. Check the resources below to see the media coverage, including several published articles about the event, and an exclusive radio interview with SIOPE CEO, Samira Essiaf.