The iconic Manneken Pis statue in Brussels was dressed in the traditional Romanian costume of a călușar dancer to celebrate Romanian Traditional Costume Day on Sunday, May 10. The outfit was showcased on the Facebook page of the Romanian Embassy in Belgium. The bronze figure was adorned with authentic călușar clothing and received Romania’s tricolor ribbons.

The Căluș, a ritual dance that pairs with this traditional attire, has been recognized by UNESCO as part of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity since 2005. Manneken Pis, which means "Little Boy Peeing" in Dutch, is also known in French as "Petit Julien." The statue was installed in 1618 and is linked with four legends, the most famous being the tale of how the statue put out a fire by peeing on it.

The tradition of dressing Manneken Pis dates back to the 17th century. Since World War I, the statue has received a new costume annually. Today, the statue's wardrobe is one of the most famous collections in the world, comprising around 1,000 costumes, each meticulously catalogued and preserved as a work of art, integral to the heritage of Brussels.

(Photo source: Romanian Embassy in Belgium on Facebook)