There’s free roasted chicken for everybody who celebrates their birthday on 29 February today on Ostend’s busy Thursday market. Melanie and Matthias, who have a chicken stall, are eager to celebrate with all the people, who like their son Arthur, only have a birthday every four years, in a leap year.
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Special surprise for people only celebrating their birthday every four years!
Colin Clapson
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Melanie has a personal interest. Her son Arthur was born on 29 February in a leap year. It’s only afterwards that Melanie realised which challenges people born on this special date face.
“Arthur is 8 years old today, but it’s really only the second time we can celebrate his birthday on the right day. Usually we’re obliged to do it on 28 February. That’s why today we are offering free roasted chicken to everybody who finds themselves in the same boat”.
Arthur doesn’t really mind not having a proper birthday like everybody else, but Melanie, who can always be found on the old fish market in Ostend on busy market Thursdays, has experienced quite a few problems, especially registering her son for events in years when there’s no 29 February. The health insurance fund’s app also still puts his age at 2”.
Luckily Arthur’s teacher will be making a special effort in class this year, but store chains usually fail to send him any vouchers when his birthday doesn’t appear in a non-leap year.
Melanie and her husband Matthias will be throwing a big party today, because 29 February always remains a rather special date for them, and, of course, for their son, Arthur.