BeDIT 24

After a successful edition in 2022, Belgian Defense is again organizing an international military tattoo in 5 Belgian cities: EUPEN, LEUVEN, ANTWERP, TOURNAI & BRUXELLES. With this tattoo, the Belgian Defense wants to emphasize that “cooperation” is one of the most important basic pillars of the organization, both nationally and internationally. Moreover, tej Belgian Defence wants to be an active partner IN and OF society. Therefore, this show is a unique co-production between the Belgian Defense and the 5 participating cities.

In the first half of 2024, Belgium will assume the Presidency of the Council of the EU. We are also celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Both NATO and the EU, as international organizations since their founding in 1949 and in 1957, have demonstrated that international cooperation is an essential and fundamental element to guarantee peace and freedom among partners. Consequently, the theme of the 2024 BeDIT edition “International cooperation, essential for Liberty” was a logical choice.

The importance of international cooperation is also emphasized by the participation of foreign professional military bands, a drill team and a Swiss drum corps. As many as 150 professional musicians will perform a dazzling 2h musical show, enhanced with video images and light show, each time outdoors at a special location.

Participating military marching bands:

Netherlands: de Fanfare “Bereden Wapens”
Germany: Heeresmusikkorps Neubrandenburg
France: la Musique de l’Infanterie de Lille
Belgium: the Royal Band of the Belgian Air Force

We complement these military ensembles with an absolute world top in its genre:

the Top Secret Drumcorps from Switzerland

and as icing on the cake, an exclusive drill team from the United States completes the list:

United States Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team

The theme – “International cooperation, essential for Liberty” – is the common thread throughout this show. Through a fascinating historical journey from the founding of NATO and the EU, we also let the audience discover how Belgian Defense intends to realize different forms of cooperation in the future. It needs no further explanation that this theme is burningly topical in the current international context. We are convinced that the power of music, brought by professional military musicians, will move everyone and convince even more about the necessity of international cooperation as an essential element for peace & freedom.

Thanks to the special cooperation between Defense and the various cities, this event can be offered FREE to the Belgian population.

Highly recommended!