HALLE, Belgium (AP) – There is no stopping the flowers when they bloom, they bloom when they burst. Unfortunately, people have been stopped from enjoying them these days.
In times of pandemic, when so much goes against the wire, some beauties of nature are no longer embraced, but kept at a distance.
From the cherry trees in Japan, to the endless fields of Keukenhof tulips in the Netherlands, to the riot of purple bells in Hallerbos, south of Brussels, everything looks best this spring, when conditions are in the worst conditions.
“The flowers are there. Nature refuses to be stopped by anyone, “said Halle Mayor Marc Snoeck, who for the second year in a row must keep people away from the municipality’s famous forests instead of inviting them.
Authorities around the world are trying to prevent a new wave of COVID-19 infections to contain more than 3 million deaths. Crowds are anathema to health. However, at the same time, the soothing glories of nature are said to be an ideal balm against the psychological burdens of loneliness, disorientation and fear that the pandemic has produced.
However, when these two concepts collide, caution beats the joy with a long stretch these days.
“The weather is wonderful and there is beauty to enjoy,” Snoeck said. “It simply came to our notice then. Safety goes above and beyond. And, although it is good to enjoy this pleasant moment and the beauty of the purple bells, we absolutely do not want anyone to get sick ”.
Normally, more than 100,000 visitors spread over three weekends come to see Halle’s purple fields. Last spring, when Europe was already facing the first wave of infections, Snoeck had already closed forests as much as possible.
As it is an open forest, a complete ban is ruled out, so Snoeck canceled special bus shuttles and issued parking bans to discourage people from coming.
“If they all had to show up on these three weekends, then there would really be too many people and the safe distance could not be respected. Not everyone wears a mask at a time like this and, of course, it is necessary, ”said Snoeck.
Keeping the masses away is a counterintuitive reaction seen in many places. For Snoeck and Hallerbos, it’s easy, even if the tourism revenue is painful. With the bells, nature gives and there is nothing to do but rejoice.
However, for the Keukenhof tulip fields, 300 kilometers north of Halle, the tulip fields are a man-made creation, and planting begins in September. Two years ago, 1.5 million people visited in eight weeks, but now, a special anti-virus pilot program was needed to allow only a few thousand on the rescheduled opening day.
“Every year we make the most beautiful Keukenhof possible. We don’t think visitors aren’t coming. We always do it for visitors – if necessary. digital – but there is nothing better than having visitors, ”said Stefan Slobbe, Keukenhof gardener.
Like Belgium, the Netherlands is struggling to stifle a third wave of COVID-19 and continues to limit public events, while the whole process of flowering and wilting is ignored.
It was no different in Japan when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom last month. The flowers, known as sakura, have profoundly influenced Japanese culture for centuries and have been used regularly in poetry and literature, with their fragility seen as a symbol of life, death and rebirth.
However, this year, as last year, the pandemic had its impact. “Please refrain from gathering to enjoy the cherry blossoms,” said the Tokyo signs, putting a damper on the usually lush atmosphere.
Some, however, could not be detained.
“I was not able to come here last year due to the state of emergency. This year I wanted to come again, so I’m here, “said Miyu Obata, a 21-year-old student.
The lack of mass tourism approaching Hallerbos will also have its beneficial side. Any flower that is trampled will not be redistributed next year, Snoeck said. So once the pandemic is contained, the bell fields could even look better.
“Fewer visitors will make nature even more beautiful,” Snoeck said.
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Mark Carlson and Virginia Mayo in Halle, and Mike Corder and Peter Dejong in Lisse, the Netherlands, contributed to this report.
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