The Cinquantenaire arches.

	At the end of the 19th Century, Belgium was at the peak of its economic and industrial performance. The then king Leopold II decided to give the country a face-lift by developing the necessary infrastructure, building new edifices and parks in order to make towns more attractive. The setting up of the Palais du Cinquantenaire, a park for walks and a museum centre in the wild countryside on the former parade grounds is but an example of Leopold II's wishes.
	Poster, 1913.		In fact, the architect Gédéon Bordiau's idea was to create an impressive atmosphere to present the whole nation's know-how. The history of the Parc Cinquantenaire and other buildings associated with it spread over a long period and was marked by national and international exhibitions :   1880 : National exhibition of Belgian artistic and industrial products on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the nation 1888 : The exhibition "The Great International Competition of Science and Industry" 1897 : The opening of the Universal Exhibition 1905 : Inauguration of the archway of the Cinquantenaire for the opening of the exhibition commemorating the 75th anniversary of the nation
	The esplanade enlivened with its exhibitions lauding the achievements of the Belgian commercial and industrial production was the epitome of the dynamisme and prosperity of the governing bourgeoisie.

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