The <i>Braderie de Lille</i> is the biggest flea market in Europe and one of the principal events of the year, with 10,000 vendors and 2.5 million visitors from all over northern Europe during the first weekend of September.

Today, the mayor of Lille tearfully announced its cancellation this year due to the current state of emergency. Since it covers 100 km of city streets, there was absolutely no way to make it secure.

Daech appears to have won.

yeah, I heard that on the news this morning, don't remember if the radio or TV

Very sorry to read this, it'ss such a boost for Lille and the vendors.

I completely understand why it was cancelled and tant pis that this is just what terrorists want- a no win situation.

Many folks I hear are now thinking France is too dangerous to go to- hurting France in the pocket book is a win for ISIS but what can be done about it- little or nothing- except elect Trump and he says he will wipe out ISIS quickly - voila no more terrorism.

My son in law has been working in Lille since last fall; my daughter was going to visit him in conjunction with the braderie, but now she will have to find other things to do. It won't be hard, but tant pis indeed.

That' s unfortunate. I understand and am frustrated at the same time. We are going to Paris in December come hell or high water....hate to see businesses hurt by terrorism. We have friends whose business is dependent on tourism, so it sucks to see the negative impact on the everyday French citizen who is just trying to make a living.

It's only this year. By next year we will have won the war on terror.

It is understandable. To have policed it with any degree of security would have taken police from other areas, leaving those open to attack instead.
Damned if they do and damned if they don't really.

I was pleased to see the Canal Parade in Amsterdam went ahead today, with as big a crowd as ever watching it. The Nijmegen Vierdaagse, full of international military (including Israelis and Americans) and civilians also went ahead as planned. Either of those would be a logical big target for terrorists in the Netherlands.

Tomorrow they will announce if the semi-marathon that is held at the same time will be maintained. (Probably it will.)

No news about the semi-marathon yet, which is a bit worrisome since it is already 7pm in France. They must be having a major debate.