Brussels in English

Green Mango is a local Brussels chain of restaurants that has been gaining aficionados as quickly as they can open branches. What's their secret? Unexpected but delicious versions of the hamburger (40 so far) and a full offer of tropical cocktails in a festive atmosphere. 8 locations so far. Guillaume of the Uccle location tells us what to expect. https://greenmango.be/en/

Brussels born chef Paul Delrez's latest project was a pop up restaurant set up in the middle of Brussels minimaliste art gallery Fondation CAB - He speaks with us about his various projects including his cookbook Hot Regressive Cuisine.  Instagram: DelReyPaulChef

The Horta Museum is presenting 100 Patterns From Art Deco to Modernism (1910-1945), a decorative treasure trove for everyone consisting of textiles, rugs, and wallpapers by Belgian and international artists. Direector Benjamin Zurstrassen explains how this temple to Art Nouveau is the right place to celebrate Art Deco designs. https://hortamuseum.be/event/100-motifs-1742206970477x90956221914651030...

An intersection for river barges, trams, buses, cars, lorries, bicycles, scooters, and pedestrians, the Place Sainctelette is being completely redone to give each mode of transport its own space. And nearby, with a stunning view of the canal and the vintage apartment buildings, is Bsaha Cafe. Staff member Anas Al-Qadouri gives us the details. https://www.instagram.com/bsahacafe_off/

The Design Museum Brussels is presenting the touring exhibition "Skateboard from the Design Museum London. The show explores in detail the development of  skateboard design over seventy years, focusing on the technological, performative and aesthetic evolution of the skateboard. Curator Jonathan Olivares tells us what it took to make the show a reality. Through 14/09/2025 https://www.brusselsmuseu...

The Brussels International Film Festival (BRIFF) is presenting its 8th edition. Co-founder Céline Masset tells us about the wide variety of types of movies that have been assembled for this year's edition. 20 to 28 June briff.be/en/

After being closed for 18 months the KBR (Royal Library of Belgium) Museum is reopening with a fascinating new feature. Visitors will now be able to hear the music of the 15th and 16th centuries while they look at illuminated manuscripts of the same period. Sara Lammens, General Director of the Royal Library gives us the details. www.kbr.be/en/museum/

The Royal Museum of  Art and History has completed its most important renovation in 25 years with a major display of its Art Nouveau and Art Deco collection as well as the 19th century artworks that paved the way for the two movements. Many of the objects have never been seen by the general public. Curator Werner Adriaenssens tells us what is in store for the visitor. The weekend of June 13th admi...

In the Dansaert district of Brussels in the 1980s, Sonja Noël was the first. to open a store dedicated to Belgian fashion. For 40 years, through her STIJL boutique, Sonja has been translating contemporary Belgian fashion into everyday fashion wear. By supporting new brands and young designers, STIJL has played an essential part in writing the story of fashion in the city, The Fashion and Lace Muse...

There's a new museum in Brussels, the Friet Museum which aims to let everyone know everything there is to know about the Belgian Fry. Communications Director Peggy van Lierde introduces us to all the features of this surprisingly detailed but also very light-hearted look at the iconic Belgian food. https://www.frietmuseum-brussels.be/eng/home

One of the top must visit museums in Brussels the van Buuren Museum and Gardens is celebrating its fifty years as a museum and the 100 years of the art Deco movement with a brand new exhibition: AROUND ART DECO Interbellum sculptures. Curator Manon Magotteaux tells us what it is all about. https:/// www.museumvanbuuren.be

Alice Gallery is celebrating 20 years as part of the Brussels art scene with a move to a new location and an anniversary show featuring 25 artists. Co-founders Alice van den Abeele and Raphaël Cruyt give us a recap on their twenty years of glocal gallery ownership and on the recent demise of their wonderful ten year old museum the MIMA (Millennium Iconoclast Museum of Art.) https://www.alicebxl.co...

EntreprendreBruxelles wants you to know about all the great shops, restaurants and services available in Brussels City. They recently held an event at city hall where we spoke with Project Manager Katia Jacques-Serres as well as representatives of some of the businesses. www.entreprendrebruxelles.be www.ondernemenbrussel.be

The House of European History's latest exhibition Presence of the Past - A European Album, gives us an innovative look at how Europeans interact with their past. Curator Simina Bădică, explains how the photo exhibition comprising 27 photographic projects from 14 countries lets us see the many different ways people deal with the past. http://historia.europa.eu/

It's time for the 28th edition of the Brussels Short Film Festival (BSFF) bringing us the best in short films from around the world with an accent on freedom. Co-founder Céline Masset brings us up to date on what's in store. www.bsff.be

The Fondation Folon has a new show entitled Drawing Room featuring 150 works of art by Folon and eleven artists who inspired him. The exhibition is an intimate look at the creative process. Exhibition director Pauline Loumaye tells us what we can expect to experience both in the show and at the foundation's magnificent estate. Through 31 August. https://fondationfolon.be

Among the many many film festivals that take place in Brussels and Belgium, the Festival Kinolatino stands out for its purpose, which is to bring Latin American movies in all their forms to Belgium where they are not distributed. Festival organizer and film maker César Diaz tells us what to expect. 11 to 19 April 2025 https://kinolatino.be/

With spring busting out all over, bike rides in the countryside so close to Brussels come to mind. Of the many choices available, Zafi Cycles offers a unique bicycle. All their frames are made entirely of wood which means that the ride is extra comfortable due to the anti-vibration properties of wood which is great news for cobblestone rides. Founder Simon Malvaux explains his product. www.zaficyc...

Downtown Brussels' splendid but rather unknown 19th century covered gallery has been all spiffd up and given a partially new vocation. There are still shops catering to aficionados of rare and old books but there is now also a gourmet culinary dimension. Creator Thierry Goor explains how it works.

It's the centenary of Art Deco in Brussels and it's being celebrated all year long with many events. BANAD Festival (Brussels Art Nouveau Art Deco) is kicking things off during the last three weekends in March but there is much more. An Persoons, the Secretary of State of the Brussels Region in charge of urbanism and heritage fills us in. https://www.visit.brussels/fr/visiteurs/agenda/event-detail...

French photographer François Bellabas, who works in Paris and  California, has taken over the Contretype Gallery with his unique photographic creations that combine photos with digital technologies to produce a remarkable ever changing immersive experience he calls Unloadingoverdrive. He tells us a bit about how it works. Through 23 March www.contretype.org

Kim Oosterlinck, the new director of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium describes the current shows and how they illustrate his plans for the future. https://fine-arts-museum.be/en

Anima, the venerable and highly regarded animated film festival is back with its 44th edition. The theme this year is Dreams and Co-Director Karin Vandenrydt explains  what that entails. 28 February - 9 March www.animafestival.be

FestiVita, the Brussels Early Music Festival is back with twelve days of concerts and other unexpected and interesting events celebrating early music with a salute to the Serene Republic of Venice and its three century reign of art and culture. Organizer Rafael Núñez lays out the details. www.festivita.be

Kevin Brooking, professional clown, is the co-founder of the Belgian branch of Clowns Without Borders. He brings us up to date on what the humanitarian group has been up to recently., including a mission to the  prisons of Madagascar. cmsf.be