Hundreds of apple and pear varieties, along with walnuts, hazelnuts, sweet chestnuts and other, more special fruits will be presented by pomological associations from many European countries, each with their own specialties, all picked from orchards or fruit gardens with collections from ‘past to present’. All together we will make it one big European fruit exhibition!<br> If you have any fruit or nut trees of which you do not know the variety, feel free to bring some fruits. The NBS fruit specialists at the determination stand will use their knowledge and experience to name your fruits.

Hundreds of species and varieties lie there beautifully, but do they taste good? The exhibitors will take you through the story of fruit, but at the tasting stand we will give you the opportunity to taste a whole range of apples and pears yourself and possibly buy a few kilos. Or ...you can treat yourself to fruit mocktails, cocktails or a tasty ‘Crêpomme’.

Especially when you follow the talks and demos we offer during Europom®. Saturday at 2pm, Klaus SStrasser from Austria will talk about his experiences with varieties and cultivation of walnuts. One of our NBS pomologists, Dirk Vanden Eynde, will take you through the story of cider production on Sunday (11am). He will show you the evolution of cider making and the apple and pear varieties best suited for this purpose. You will find more information on some separate theme booths, one about nuts and another about cider varieties and -preparation. At the nuts booth, Hungarian pomologist and researcher Szani Zsolt, who specializes in walnuts, chestnuts and quinces, among other things, will also be present. He will show important varieties with great quality along with other resistant fruit selections. Sunday afternoon (1pm) we look to the future, giving you an insight into ‘Orchards and fruit gardens for the future in a changing climate’. Paul Van Laer explains the difficulties we are experiencing with our fruit trees due to climate change and gives some aspects we should take into account to keep trees healthy and vital. The NBS will show a first for Belgium during Europom®: a new harvesting machine for shaking and collecting orchard fruit will be demonstrated. Especially interesting for those who prefer not to pick from high ladders.

A ride on the ‘Pom-Express’ takes you on a tour through the orchard complex of Alden Biesen and leads you back to the stop near the fruit exhibition. Taste, smell, hear, see and feel... all your senses will be put on edge during a genuine sensory walk. Those who want to discover nature in and around the orchards are invited to follow the nature guide and take a walk in the surrounding area.

We offer creative and educational activities for the whole family. A real obstacle course aka bouncy castle of 18 metres (!) takes on the challenge of competing with the castle of Alden Biesen. A beekeeper’s booth shows the wonderful world of pollinating bees and their delicious honey, apple juice ‘biking and juicing’, folk games and creative challenges keep young and old active and attentive. Or would you rather enjoy some tasty snacks and drinks made from fruit on a cosy terrace?