BRUSSELS – Three hundred couples have already signed up for a mass marriage ceremony in Sint-Niklaas. They will pledge their devotion to each other again, or for the first time, on the market square in town next week.

The campaign is in response to the refusal by several couples in town to have their marriage ceremony performed by municipal official Wouter Van Bellingen, a Sint-Niklaas resident of African descent.

The incidents of unabashed racism were widely reported in the press and Van Bellingen received many sign of support. Festivities as part of the campaign have been organised with the help of a number of organisations.

On Wednesday next week, on 21 March, UN-designated “anti-racism day,” the couples will be able to say their marriage vows to each other.

Photographers will be on hand and a multicultural dessert buffet will be set up on the market square, to be followed by dancing.

The festivities start at 8 p.m.

[Copyright Expatica News 2007]

Subject: Belgian news