Chocolatiers Dominique and Julius Persoone transform shop window to mark 80-year liberation of Bruges

It has been 80 years since Bruges and its surroundings were liberated by Canadian troops. To commemorate that event, a lot of activities will be organised in the city next weekend. Traders were asked to do something with the theme.

Transformation of shop window

Chocolatiers Dominique and son Julius took that question to heart. They transformed their shop window for the occasion and made a bison out of chocolate, just like this one on the Canadabridge. After all, it was on that spot that the Canadians marched into Bruges on 12 September. ‘People popularly talk about the Buffalo Bridge, but they are indeed bison,’ says Dominique Persoone. ‘We took the statues as an example to sculpt one out of chocolate, a job that took us a week to do anyway.’

The showpiece can now be seen in the window of The Chocolate Line on Simon Stevinplein. ‘It weighs some 100 kilograms. That’s no easy feat to get on site, especially with these temperatures.’

Besides the bison, there are many other WWII-related objects in the window. ‘Among them are personalised posters, because my grandfather and my wife Fabienne’s grandfathers were in the army at the time. Those who search will find their photos.’

The bison will be on display in the window until Halloween. And after that? ‘I have promised him to my good friend Eddy Van Belle. The latter will give him a place in his chocolate museum Choco-Story.’

Commemoration of liberation

Bruges will celebrate the liberation of the city by Canadian troops next weekend. Among other things, there will be a liberation march with authentic military vehicles, and on the Kruisvest you can visit a camp with field hospital. There will also be several musical performances on Saturday and Sunday and a photo exhibition will run in the town hall.