Expat band Tigers of Eden
Brussels-based indie-alt band, Tigers Of Eden - made up of members from the four corners of the globe - have just released their first ever album. They've been gigging together since 2011, mostly around Brussels, but sometimes further afield too, playing covers as well as their own material. Now they've decided to record their originals in the studio, resulting in their debut album, New Stripes...
3m Nov 05, 2017
3m
Hop art exhibition for children
There’s a new exhibition at the Ixelles Museum aimed specifically towards children between 6 and 12 years old. It’s co-produced with the non-profit Patrimoine à Roulettes (Heritage on Wheels), is entitled Hop! and aims to teach art appreciation through movement. The paintings are hung 1,20 meters from the ground to give children a perfect view. The art pieces are paired with each pair represent...
2m Oct 29, 2017
2m
Hispania restaurant in Brussels
Located in the City of London in an old bank building, Hispania is the largest restaurant dedicated to the cuisines of Spain in the world. And now, it has opened a second restaurant in Brussels in the Sablon. London head chef Marco Moràn will be in Brussels for the next few months at the helm in Brussels. He tells us what to expect.www.hispaniabrussels.com
3m Oct 29, 2017
3m
Legendary artist Christo in Brussels
Christo was in Brussels recently to attend the opening of the ING Art Center's retrospective of the Urban Projects of Christo and Jeanne-Claude. He spoke with Richard Harris about what is was like to be stateless for 17 years, why he settled in NYC, what his work has brought him, what the 58 World's Fair in Brussels meant for him and why he listens to Mozart when he works.https://about.ing.be/A...
6m Oct 29, 2017
6m
George Parker
George Parker is an illusionist and mentalist from the Netherlands. He also describes himself as a "corporate alchemist". He'll be bending reality in a show Le Trac in Auderghem next Saturday. We caught up with him on Skype and asked him how he discovered magic.
1m Oct 21, 2017
1m
Women Leading the Way in Brussels
A new book aims to promote more gender-inclusive organisations and inspire a new generation of female leaders, by focusing on 14 successful women who have "made it" in Brussels fields ranging from politics and law to journalism and technology. Women Leading the Way in Brussels is co-authored by Claudia Caldeirinha, a university professor and founder of consultancy company Redscope. She explains...
3m Oct 15, 2017
3m
Brussels: A Safe Haven?
People from 184 nationalities share Brussels as home. What are the actual stories of all these immigrants? And what led to this intense cosmopolitan existence? Many people think that it is a recent development, driven by such factors as the creation of the EU. But actually, since 1830 there have been waves of immigration that over 200 years have transformed Brussels into a world-city. For insta...
3m Oct 15, 2017
3m
Classic Album Sunday: Hooverphonic co-founder Frank Duchêne on Bjork's Homogenic
Classic Album Sunday is a vinyl listening experience in Brussels and this month's chosen album is Bjork's Homogenic, which is marking its 20th anniversary. The session will be moderated by Frank Duchêne, one of the founding members of the highly successful Belgian band Hooverphonic. He tells us about his love of Bjork's music - and why vinyl is so special.
3m Oct 15, 2017
3m
Brussels Commissioner for Europe Alain Hutchinson
"Great progress" is being made to bridge the gap between Brussels' regional authorities and the many international organisations and individuals that call Brussels home, according to the first Commissioner for Europe and International Organisations, Alain Hutchinson.
2m Oct 10, 2017
2m
Superdemocracy at the Brussels Senate
The Senate is opening its doors to the public throughout October with an artistic project that crosses Belgium's regional and linguistic boundaries and addresses the issue of how we live together. Superdemocracy is a partnership between three cultural institutions - Bozar in Brussels, BPS22 in Charleroi and M HKA in Antwerp. M HKA director and curator Bart De Baere explains more.
1m Oct 07, 2017
1m
Cube Art Fair
Philippe Parel and Grégoire Vogelsang are busy organizing the 2nd edition of Cube Art Fair (11-15 October) which brings three dozen or so American artists to Brussels to meet Belgians and show their art, a unique opportunity to interact with locals and local collectors. Last year's show was a big success and they are looking forward to more exchanges this year. But before there was Cube Art Fai...
4m Oct 07, 2017
4m
G-Pluck: Indonesian Beatles tribute band
The Europalia arts biennale has been building cultural bridges since 1969. Each edition focuses on one country with a comprehensive treatment, showcasing everything from visual arts to dance to music to literature and film. The current edition, until 14 January, celebrates Indonesia. We meet Indonesian Beatles tribute band G-Pluck, who recently performed in Brussels.
3m Oct 07, 2017
3m
Brussels Electronic Marathon
13-15 October is the Brussels Electronic Marathon featuring 65 events, 33 venues and 229 artists. We catch up with Nick Ramoudt, long-time managing director of the legendary nightclub Fuse. www.bem.brussels
2m Oct 07, 2017
2m
Waiting for Godot: Irish Theatre Group Brussels
The next theatrical production from the Irish Theatre Group Brussels is a play where two shabbily dressed men in bowler hats talk nonsense to each other while standing on the side of the road. Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett takes place on October 6, 7 and 10-14 at the Warehouse Studio Theatre, Rue Waelhem 69, Schaerbeek 1030.https://irishtheatrebrussels.com/
3m Sep 30, 2017
3m
Protest for abortion rights in EU district
More than 1,000 people demonstrated in front of the EU institutions in Brussels on Thursday evening to protest for women's rights across Europe on the occasion of International Safe and Legal Abortion Day. The organisations came from across Europe, brought together by the initiative of the World March for Women. Our reporter Laura Cain spoke to those involved.
3m Sep 30, 2017
3m
Nuit Blanche Brussels 2017
For its 15th edition Nuit Blanche has as theme Power Games and will take place in the Our Lady of the Snows/Freedoms neighbourhoods. Two artists, Anna Rispoli and Ivan Ludlow tell us what their contributions to the night will entail.www.nuitblanche.brussels
3m Sep 30, 2017
3m
Full Circle 2017/18 season launch
Brussels ideas club Full Circle is back for a new season with a packed programme of inspiring speakers. We hear from co-founders Louise Hilditch and Bridie Nathanson about what's in store this year and who should join.www.fullcircle.eu
2m Sep 24, 2017
2m
Russian Cultural Week
This coming week, Maison Russe will be devoting an entire programme to art, from film screenings to craft workshops and musical performances. We spoke to some of the Russian organisers, artists and expats about their culture.https://www.facebook.com/maisonrusse.be/
3m Sep 24, 2017
3m
Horta in America
While Victor Horta was in London in 1915 attending a conference on the future reconstruction of Belgium, a journalist quoted his negative comments about the Germans and Horta was unable to return to Belgium. Meanwhile, his wife Julia had taken the opportunity of the London trip to organise lectures in her native Sweden on the wartime suffering of the Belgians, especially children. She turned ou...
5m Sep 17, 2017
5m
Brussels Design September
Brussels celebrates the applied arts with a month-long showcase of established and up-and-coming talent. The highlight of the design season in Belgium, Design September’s programme promises more than 100 design-related activities, from exhibitions to lectures to pop-up stores to parties.We hear from a dozen creators and organizers from among the over 100 events. Until 30 September.www.designsep...
5m Sep 10, 2017
5m
The World Fife and Drum Festival in Brussels
Belgium is the host country of this year’s World Fife and Drum Festival which kicks off in Brussels on 15 September. Fife and Drum bands from America, Switzerland, Italy, France and Belgium will take to the streets, with a parade through the Grand Place to the statue of Mannekin Pis and later that evening all the bands will gather at La Tentation on Rue De Laeken for an evening of music and dan...
3m Sep 10, 2017
3m
Cohabs - shared housing for expats
While to some the idea of living in a big, trendy house full of strangers from around the world may sound like a reality show, to those living in Cohabs, it’s simply reality. Cohabs is a new business in the housing market based mainly in Brussels. It’s built on ideas of cohabitation, upscale living and a free formed lifestyle. Most rooms rent for between 600 and 750 euros per month which includ...
3m Sep 03, 2017
3m
Tibidi: Total Harmony
Ariane Rousseau, Muriel Legrand and Julie Leyder who are totally dedicated to a cappella and more specifically close harmony form the singing group Tibidi. Interpreting la chanson française, American pop hits, classical music and their own compositions they are more than just perfect harmony, they are also actors who can evoke laughter and tears. Ariane Rousseau tells us about them.
3m Sep 03, 2017
3m
Europe in Brussels: Slovakia
On 29 August Slovaks young and old will come together to lay wreathes to remember Slovak Uprising Day. The day signifies the first day of resistance to the push of Nazi Germany in 1944. We meet a Slovak expat in Brussels to find out more.
3m Aug 27, 2017
3m
Europe in Brussels: Hungary
Hungarian expats in Brussels tell us about their national day (20 August) and where you can find a slice of Hungarian culture in the city
3m Aug 20, 2017
3m
The future of education
Visionary educator Dr Stephen Spurr is an expert in emerging trends in the international education sector, focusing on the skills and knowledge needed to prepare students for future challenges. He is group education director at Inspired Education Group and a former headmaster at Westminster School in the UK.
2m Jul 16, 2017
2m
Europe in Brussels: Belgium
21 July is Belgium's national day, generally celebrated with a Catholic Te Deum service, a parade near the palace and, of course, fireworks and beer. While this nationality is by chance of birth for some, for others it is a choice. According to an immigration survey, three out of four foreigners who settle in Belgium ultimately obtain Belgian nationality. Barbaros Corekoglu is a Turk-turned-Bel...
3m Jul 16, 2017
3m
Europe in Brussels: France
On 14 July French people all over the world will be celebrating their national day. According to estimates from the French consulate in Brussels, there are up to a quarter of a million French citizens living in Belgium. Over the past year we've spoken to several French artists and art collectors who have made their mark here. Is Brussels the new Paris? Gallery owner Jean de Malherbe, muralist G...
3m Jul 09, 2017
3m
Friskis&Svettis
Friskis&Svettis is a fitness and sports organisation that hosts pop-up work out classes around Brussels and the world, including free sessions throughout July and August. It entirely run by volunteers with more than 12,000 volunteers working as fitness instructors throughout Europe. There are 500 people in Brussels that are already members. One of the organisers, Alex Mascia, says it's a laid b...
4m Jul 08, 2017
4m
Unless
Unless is a nonprofit in Brussels operating out of Gare de Nord station. Although the nonprofit is only a year old, it’s main project, Food for Friends, began six years ago by a man named Ninoslav Ostojic. Nino, as he is known to friends and the people he serves, has worked alongside Michelle to create a place where people living on the streets, refugees and others in need feel safe and respected.
3m Jul 02, 2017
3m
Serve The City's Big Volunteer Week
About 500 volunteers will take part in nearly 75 charitable projects around Brussels this week, as Serve The City organises its 13th annual Big Volunteer Week. The week will include activities ranging from serving meals in soup kitchens to pop-up spa days for those who are living on the streets. Serve the City is a platform that connects people looking to volunteer with non-profits in their are...
3m Jul 02, 2017
3m
Tea with Austen
Jane Austen may be an English writer but her appeal is universal as was obvious at Waterstone's Tea with Jane Austen event celebrating the bicentenary of of her death with people from Spain, Bulgaria, Romania, Belgium, the US and the UK and others, in attendance. We spoke with attendees and organizers and among other things found out the origin of cucumber sandwiches. Waterstones has monthly ev...
4m Jul 02, 2017
4m
Europe in Brussels: Slovenia
This week, hundreds of Slovenes living in Brussels will gather at the European Commission to commemorate their national Statehood Day. This year will celebrate the 26th year of Slovenian independence from Yugoslavia. However, despite the country’s long history of bouncing between different empires, Slovenian national Urska Grahek said Slovenes have always had a strong national identity.
3m Jun 24, 2017
3m
Europe in Brussels: Croatia
25 June marks a date on which the former Yugoslavia dissolved, allowing for some Baltic countries to gain statehood and independence. Croatia, along with Slovenia, now observe this day as their Statehood Day. Croatia has an estimated population of 4,2 million with several thousand calling Belgium home. One Croat you can find in Brussels is Tina Hofland. She is a research executive for Fleishman...
2m Jun 24, 2017
2m
Brexit one year on: Where do we stand?
A year after the UK voted to leave the EU, an update on the situation for expats, from representatives of the British Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and the Brussels British Community Association .
3m Jun 24, 2017
3m
Couleur Café 2017
After 27 years, Couleur Café, the popular Brussels summer music festival, has been revamped and filled with all new surprises.
3m Jun 21, 2017
3m
Fabrice du Welz
Belgian award-winning filmmaker Fabrice Du Welz makes dark, often violent, heavily atmospheric films about deplorable acts that manage surprisingly to reinforce our general feeling of humanity. His first feature length film Calvaire (2004) is based on the same news item that inspired Psycho and Texas Chainsaw Massacre and was selected for the Semaine de la Critique at the Cannes Film Festival, ...
8m Jun 18, 2017
8m
Europe in Brussels: Luxembourg
Celebrations for Luxembourg’s National Day will begin, as custom has it, the night before 23 June. The small country is home to less than 585,000 people yet you can still find Luxembourgers right here in Brussels. We met with Abby, who just recently found her Luxembourg roots and was happy to connect with her new-found family.
3m Jun 18, 2017
3m
Relay for Life
A 24-hour non-stop relay organised by the international community of Belgium this weekend raised tens of thousands of euros for cancer research, prevention and treatment. Relay for Life was brought to Belgium from the US in 2011 and has grown ever since. We head to St John's International School to speak to those involved.
4m Jun 18, 2017
4m
Brusselicious
In 2012 Visit Brussels chose Brusselicious as its theme and from that year of culinary events the Tram Restaurant and the Eat Brussels! festival have become successful annual affairs. Now Visit Brussels is creating the Brusselicious Label. With no existing label, for tourists and locals alike, it is sometimes difficult to know, out of the 3000 restaurants in the city, which ones are the best fo...
4m Jun 18, 2017
4m
Give Music a Chance
Give Music a Chance was an eclectic, family-friendly music bash taking over the gorgeous grounds of Waterloo’s Campus d‘Argenteuil on Saturday. It's not only a festival but also a charity event. All proceeds are going to social projects in Vietnam and Myanmar, giving young people in areas affected by poverty or conflict the opportunity to make music. We meet the organiser.
2m Jun 11, 2017
2m
Restaurant Vincent: the Îlot Sacré is getting its soul back
Over the years, the Rue des Bouchers became a tourist trap filled with characterless restaurants serving lousy food and employing aggressive touting tactics to catch unwary tourists. But things are finally changing. The city has embarked on an ambitious plan to upgrade the streets of the Îlot Sacré, while enforcing regulations to weed out the worst restaurants and at the same time attract quali...
4m Jun 10, 2017
4m
Europe in Brussels: Portugal
According to 2016 statistics, approximately 38,000 Portuguese expats are currently living in Belgium, and their impact can be easily seen.
3m Jun 10, 2017
3m
Tradfest Belgium 2017
Tradfest is the largest traditional Irish music and culture festival to be run in Belgium, organised by the Irish embassy. Ambassador Éamonn MacAodha explains what's in store for this 2017 edition from 12-18 June.
3m Jun 04, 2017
3m
Europe in Brussels: Denmark
Danish expats in Brussels and people in Denmark will be celebrating their Constitution Day on 5 June. The holiday dates back to 1849 when the Danish Constitution was signed, which established a constitutional monarchy. We meet two Danish expats to find out about the tradition.
4m Jun 04, 2017
4m
Europe in Brussels: Sweden
Grab your blue and yellow and watch as Swedes in Brussels gear up to celebrate Swedish National Day on 6 June. The day commemorates two historical events while giving otherwise humble Swedes a chance to show their patriotism. We meet Frédéric Melchior - Swedish and Luxembourgish by birth but Belgian by choice.
2m Jun 04, 2017
2m
Ipswich Choral Society in Brussels
The Ipswich Choral Society are visiting Holy Trinity Brussels (Ixelles) on 2 June. They are the second oldest choral society in the UK, having been founded in 1824. The group's vice-president is Stevie Wishart, a renowned composer and based in Brussels.
3m May 25, 2017
3m
Europe in Brussels: Italy
Italians, one of the biggest expat communities in Brussels, are celebrating a national holiday on 2 June. We talked to the Italian deputy head of mission in Brussels to find out more about this day and their presence in the EU’s capital.
3m May 25, 2017
3m
Where Are Sounds?
There's a new exhibition at the Central(e) in Brussels that is unusual in its focus on a particular form of contemporary art: works that study the interaction between sound and images. Canadian curator Nicole Gingras explains.Through October 9centrale.brussels
4m May 25, 2017
4m
Trump Not Welcome protest in Brussels
Police estimate that 9,000 people attended a "Trump Not Welcome" protest to coincide with the US president's arrival in Brussels on Wednesday evening.
2m May 25, 2017
2m