The bronze statuette, created in the 17th century by J. Duquesnoy the elder, embodies the irreverent spirit of Brussels. Also known as "Little Julian", due to confusion with another fountain, het Juliaensborreke, it was one of the many fountains serving the city. From being a public fountain, the little fellow has now become a legendary figure. He has been given numerous costumes and decorations and his wardrobe now comprises some 800 items, recently restyled in an appealing scenography (see Museum of the City of Brussels). The oldest (known) costume was given to him by the Elector of Bavaria in 1698. Manneken-Pis has, alas, been the victim of several acts of vandalism. It was in 1745 that he was kidnapped for the first time by the English. Two years later, it was the turn of the French to steal him. Hearing of this, Louis XV gave him, by way of reparation for this outrage, a rich costume in gold brocade and decorated him with the cross of Saint-Louis. In 1817, the statuette was stolen again, this time by a reprieved French convict, and was found broken in pieces. The fragments were used to make the statuette which you can see today on the old fountain...The symbol of Brussels - the Manekin Pis - has become the symbol of the EU. The number of
people pissing in the ocean has become massive.France is a good country . Its people are good . They are hard working .
However it does need serious reform . But it's not just France it's the whole of
the EU - this is where the problems ultimately emanate from . The social chapter
, the working time directive - this type of legislation produces bad work place
attitudes and bad life attitudes . It results in low quality , low productivity
and disregard for other people . Legislation against labor market flexibility
does not protect work - it has the opposite effect . The top down nature of the
EU works against adaptability to changing economic circumstances - as we are
seeing only too well with PIGSIC+++ .
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