Belgian tourism releases cats video in response to terror

Grand Place and Atomium Brussels landmarks featured in cats social media video released by Belgian tourism authorities during Brussels lock-down

Surreal short footage depicting iconic Brussels sites was capitalized as a social media hit these days.

As Brussels locked down for another week, Belgium’s tourist boards decided to bring the city a light relief during this tense period. Due to imminent terrorist attacks, Belgium's industry is severely affected. The city’s streets are deserted, restaurants and many shops closed, as hotels registered countless last minute cancellations from foreign tourists.

The 20 second cat video came as a response to the Belgian police's request on Sunday that the public doesn't share any detail of their operations on social media channels. "Radio silence on social media" was the authorities' claim for the population. Belgians began tweeting pictures of their cats instead, using #BrusselsLockdown hash-tag.

Belgian police stated there were "various operations underway" linked to a "terrorist threat" consequent the attacks in Paris.

The video filmed during the city closure shows cats dancing in saxophone accompanied rhythms all over Brussels.

"Even though the city was in lock-down, [the film crew] met smiling locals, enthusiastic tourists and a suspicious number of cats", the video description states.

By the making of this video, the tourist authorities aimed to show Belgians are proud of Brussels and are able to respond to the current crisis with good humor:

"Tourism Flanders, Visit Brussels and Wallonia-Brussels Tourism are proud of the people of Brussels and wanted to give them an extra boost.

"Their winking cats evoked great sympathy at home and abroad”, they declared.

Belgium's capital, home to the European Commission, has been on high alert since Saturday due to Islamic State terrorist attacks in Paris.

You can watch the #BrusselsLockdown cat-video here.