Jeanneken Pis

Did you know that Belgian beer is listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage? That’s right—beer really means business here. We’re passing in front of the Delirium, a Belgian institution. This bar is known for having one of the most impressive menus around. In 2004, it offered 2 004 different kinds of beer! It even holds a world record, proudly displayed on its facade! Good luck in trying them all! Maybe it’s because of this deeply-rooted beer culture, but Brussels happens to have several statues of little characters peeing! You’ve probably heard of the Manneken Pis, but let me introduce you to his sister. Her name’s not actually Jeanne, even though it sounds cute—it’s Jeanneken, which simply means “little girl” in Brussels’ dialect. The statue was apparently built to support gender equality! Jeanneken Pis has been relieving herself in public since 1985, though not everybody is thrilled at first sight. This just proves that there’s still work to be done! According to legend, Jeanneken symbolizes loyalty, and it’s a tradition to toss a coin into the fountain. Good news, the money collected contributes to cancer research.