Focus on Manneken Pis and discuss the In popular culture.
Being of prominent symbolic nature to Brussels and Belgium in general, Manneken Pis is widely used to represent both the city and country (as well as its people) in advertising, branding, tourism and as a national personification. The statue's self-derisive nature also embodies the typical Belgian identity referred to as belgitude (French; lit. 'Belgianness'), as well as a type of folk humour specific to Brussels (called zwanze in Brusselian dialect).
Surrounded by souvenir shops, the fountain has become a major tourist attraction. Figurine-sized replicas of Manneken Pis in brass, fiberglass, or even Belgian chocolate, are commonly sold there. Manneken Pis has also been adapted into such risqué souvenir items as ashtrays and corkscrews.In 2001, the Irish low-cost airline Ryanair used an image of Manneken Pis in an advert attacking the Belgian national airline Sabena, with the slogan "Pissed off with Sabena's high fares?" Sabena sued Ryanair, claiming the comparison was misleading, and Ryanair was ordered to apologise. Their apology read "We're Sooooo Sorry Sabena!" and listed further price comparisons. Sabena went bankrupt later in 2001.
belgitude Ryanair brass Belgian chocolate French corkscrews ashtray fiberglass Brussels Brusselian dialect Brusselian national personification Sabena Manneken Pis Figurine zwanze