Libramont Fair Marks 100 Years of Agricultural Heritage

The Libramont Fair, Europe’s largest open-air agricultural exhibition, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this week in the Belgian province of Luxembourg. What began as a modest gathering of 160 Ardennais draft horses in 1927 has grown into a sprawling 30-hectare event that attracts over 220,000 visitors and nearly 800 exhibitors annually, according to RTBF.

“In 1926, the Libramont Fair was only a modest gathering of Ardennais draft horses,” wrote Claire Verstraete of RTBF. “A century later, the event has become the largest open-air agricultural fair in Europe.”

A Century of Rural Roots

Founded in 1926 by the Société du Cheval de Trait Ardennais (Ardennais Draft Horse Society), the fair held its first edition the following year with just three exhibitors and 10,000 visitors. Over the decades, it expanded steadily both in size and scope, officially becoming the “Foire agricole et forestière de Libramont” in 1981 as forestry demonstrations were added to the programme.

Now in its 90th edition — the 100th year since the society that created it was founded — the fair embodies a remarkable transformation from a local horse competition into a major European institution. As RTBF reports in its centenary coverage, the fair approaches rurality from every angle — machinery, livestock, forestry, agri-food, horticulture, market gardening, research, education, and culture — making it an exceptional showcase of rural life.

250 Events in One

The centenary edition, running from July 24 to 27 in Libramont, features an extraordinary programme that organizers describe as “250 events in one event.” Highlights include 700 agricultural and forestry equipment stands, 2,800 animals in competition, and 70 conferences drawing visitors from more than 30 nationalities.

Special centenary attractions add to the celebratory atmosphere:

• Equestrian show: “L’Ardennais en lumière, 100 ans de complicite et de tradition” honors the draft horses that started it all
• Commemorative beer: “La 26,” a special brew launched by Libramont Cooperalia to honor Belgian barley and the centenary
• Greening initiatives: A centenary orchard, vineyard-window, experimental hop garden, and market gardening greenhouse were installed early in 2026, alongside 200 meters of hedge, as part of a drive to make the site Europe’s most sustainable fairground

The forestry-focused “Demo Forest” extension continues in Bertrix on July 28–29.

A Historic Royal Visit

In an unprecedented move, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium visited the fairgrounds on July 22 — two days before the official opening — marking the first time a reigning monarch has visited the event. According to reports, the royal couple’s visit officially launched the centenary festivities.

Federal ministers David Clarinval and Valérie Lescrenier, alongside Luxembourg Province Governor Olivier Schmitz, attended the opening ceremony, underscoring the fair’s significance to Belgian agricultural policy and regional identity.

From Horse Market to Innovation Hub

The fair’s evolution mirrors the transformation of European agriculture itself. What began as a platform for horse breeders has become a laboratory for precision agriculture, sustainability, and knowledge sharing.

RTBF notes that the fair’s “Connected Agriculture” platform enables sustainable farming practices by making precision agriculture accessible. As the fair’s organizers put it, the mission is to “connect the children of the earth to spark questioning, to develop and share innovative and sustainable solutions for agriculture, forestry and the environment.”

With 90% of exhibitors returning each year and a 95% satisfaction rate, the fair has built a loyal professional following while also attracting families eager to discover rural life. It remains one of Wallonia’s most visited summer events, bridging the gap between agricultural professionals and the general public.

What’s Next for Libramont

As the 100th anniversary celebrations draw to a close, the fair is already setting its sights on the future. Its ambitious sustainability programme — including recycling systems, renewable energy integration, and extensive green spaces — positions it as a model for large-scale events striving to reduce environmental impact.

Under the leadership of newly appointed Managing Director Olivier Van Cauwelaert, who took the helm in September 2025, Libramont Coopéralia is expected to continue expanding the fair’s role as both a trade event and a platform for agricultural innovation.

With the Demo Forest extension growing in prominence and a century of tradition behind it, the Libramont Fair enters its second century as a testament to Belgium’s agricultural heritage — and a launchpad for its farming future.