HALLE, Belgium (AP) – Flowers are unstoppable when they bloom, blossoms when they burst. Unfortunately, people have not enjoyed it anymore these days.
In times of pandemic, when so much is going against the grain, some beauties of nature are no longer embraced, but kept at a distance.
From the Japanese cherry blossom trees to the endless Keukenhof tulip fields in the Netherlands to the riot of purple bluebells in the Hallerbos south of Brussels, everything looks its best this spring when conditions are worst.
‘The flowers are there. Nature cannot be stopped by anyone, ”says Mayor Marc Snoeck van Halle, who for the second year in a row has to keep people away from the famous forests of the municipality instead of inviting them.
Authorities around the world are trying to prevent another wave of COVID-19 infections to limit a death toll of more than 3 million. Crowds are anathema to health. But at the same time, the soothing glory of nature is said to be an ideal balm against the psychological burdens of loneliness, disorientation and fear that the pandemic has caused.
However, when these two concepts collide, prudence is gradually becoming better than joy these days.
“The weather is nice and there is beauty to enjoy,” said Snoeck. “But on the other hand, we have to look at it. Safety trumps everything. And while it’s good to enjoy this fun time and the beauty of the purple bluebells, we absolutely don’t want anyone to get sick. ”
Normally, more than 100,000 visitors spread over three weekends to see the purple fields of Halle. Last spring, when Europe was already struggling with the first wave of infections, Snoeck closed the forest as much as possible.
Being an open forest, a complete ban is out of the question, so Snoeck has canceled special bus shuttles and issued parking bans to discourage people from coming.
“If they all had to show up on these three weekends, there would really be too many people and a safe distance cannot be respected. Not everyone is wearing a mask at the moment, and that is of course necessary, ”says Snoeck.
Keeping away from the crowd is a counterintuitive reaction in many places. It is easy for Snoeck and the Hallerbos, even if the income from tourism hurts. With the bluebells, nature gives and little needs to be done, but enjoy.
However, for Keukenhof’s tulip fields, 300 kilometers (180 miles) north of Halle, the tulip fields are a man-made creation with plants starting as early as September. Two years ago, 1.5 million people visited in the eight-week period, but now it took a special antivirus program to let in just a few thousands on the newly scheduled opening day.
“Every year we make the most beautiful Keukenhof. We do not think that visitors will not come. We always do it for visitors – if necessary. digital – but there is nothing better than having visitors, ”said Keukenhof gardening foreman Stefan Slobbe.
Like Belgium, the Netherlands is struggling to suppress a third wave of COVID-19 and still restricts public events while ignoring the entire bloom and withering process.
It was no different in Japan when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom last month. The blossoms, known as sakura, have profoundly influenced Japanese culture for centuries and are regularly used in poetry and literature, their fragility seen as a symbol of life, death and rebirth.
Still, just like last year, the pandemic had its impact. “Please don’t get together to enjoy the cherry blossoms,” said signs in Tokyo, dampening the usually lavish atmosphere.
However, some could not be stopped.
“Last year I was unable to come here due to the state of emergency. This year I wanted to come again, so here I am, ”said 21-year-old university student Miyu Obata.
The lack of mass tourism flowing to the Hallerbos will also have its favorable side. Any flower that gets trampled won’t shoot again the next year, Snoeck said. So once the pandemic is under control, the bell fields may look even better.
“Fewer visitors will make nature even more beautiful,” said Snoeck.
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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