Brussels in English

There's a new hotel in town that promises art, creativity and relaxation. Talia Butt, the owner of Jill Hotel tells us what's special about her project. https://www.jillhotel.com/en/  

It's the 70th edition of BRAFA, the highly regarded art fair that covers millennia of art divided into twenty specialities including Old Master paintings; classical African art, antique and designer furniture, goldsmithery, carpets and textiles, rare books and jewelry. Tobias Desmet, Secretary General of the fair and also an exhibitor, fills us in on the details. www.brafa.art 26 January to 2 Febr...

Bruxelles Laïque; which has been supporting secular humanism in Brussels for almost 50 years has taken over the Théâtre des Variétés, an iconic movie palace which could seat over 2,000 spectators in a room large enough to accomodate the legendary Cinerama screen. In its heyday in the 1930's it was considered  one of the most modern theatres with a turning stage, a rising orchestra pit, a roof that...

The Comic Art Museum is presenting an in-depth temporary exhibition entitled Reality in Comics which traces the evolution of some comic book artists into journalists. Communications Director Tine Anthoni explains what is going on. https://www.comicscenter.net/en/home

The Atomium is developing a series of temporary light and sound shows in various parts of the building. Currently there are four shows on display. The latest is Echoes of Distant Lights by Brussels light artist and founder of Magicstreet Antoine Goldchmidt, who worked with Brussels musician Ofer Smilansky to create a wonderland of lights and sounds using various sources and inspirations including...

Author Myriam Leroy has come up with a very interesting way of dealing with cyberbullying. It involves getting one's artist friends together and doing a show. The show is at the politically engaged that's what x said Gallery in the Marolles. Rébecca Prosper, co-director explains how it works. https://thatswhatxsaid.com/en/ 6 Dec - 26 Jan

Changemakers, a new exhibition at the   Parlamentarium deals with the various approaches and strategies used by contemporary art to address social and political issues that concern European citizens. The selection of pieces from the European Parliament’s Contemporary Art Collection focuses on artists whose respective careers attest to a certain attitude of rebellion against political and social si...

L'Ouvroir is a social workplace that provides jobs for people with disabilities. When the Bourse (the old stock exchange building) was restored l'Ouvroir saved almost 6 cubic meters of solid oak flooring from the building and brought together artists and those with disabilities to create new functional or decorative objects. They will be on display (and for sale) this week. Director Damien Logghe...

The 2025 edition of the Brussels Cultural Hotlist 100 Guide is out and publisher Guy de Bellefroid tells us about some of the over 20,000 events taking place in Brussels in 2025. https://www.fondationpourlesarts.be/fr

Sang Hoon Degeimbre, one of the most celebrated contemporary Belgian chefs, whose starred and acclaimed restaurant l'Air du Temps has reached a top position in general esteem, has opened a new  restaurant, in Brussels this time, at the newly restored Gare Maritime at Tour & Taxis. It's called Correspondance in a nod to its travel location and is conceived as a combination of a bistro and a bra...

Two 19th century mansions on the Boulevard Marnix have been restored and renovated and joined together to create what they are calling the smallest grand luxury hotel. Architect Julie Scandolo tells us what meticulous work was necessary to modernise the structures while preserving and restoring the original elements. https://origin.eu/en/projects/marnix

The 2024 flower carpet is the stuff of memories but in case you missed it here's Océane Cornille, this year's carpet designer, to tell us how, as a street artist , she took on the task of designing a flower carpet, a very different medium. Her carpet was also the first to use dahlias rather than begonias and that affected her design as well. https://www.brussels.be/flower-carpet

The Design Museum Brussels is holding two concurrent exhibitions on women in design. One, in conjunction with the Vitra Design Museum is entitled Here We Are! Women in design, 1900 - Today and the other one is Untold Stories - Designers femmes en Belgique 1880-1980. Curators Nina Steinmüller and Katerina Serulus tell us what to expect. designmuseum.brussels  

There's a new way to go out to dinner in Brussels. It's called Emile à la Dalle (Emile is Hungry) and it involves changing restaurants for each course and not knowing each destination until you are on your way. Co-founder Thierry d'Otreppe tells us how it works. https://www.emile.brussels

In a career that spanned eight decades. American photographer Elliott Erwitt created a body of work that includes many genres. Elliot Erwitt A Retrosective is currently on view at the Grand' Place. This is a must see exhibition and, since dogs were an important part of his work, to celebrate World Animal Day on October 4th, visitors will be able to enjoy the show with their dogs (signing up before...

Jules François Crahay is a forgotten genius of XXth century fashion who was known as the Belgian Christian Dior. The Brussels Fashion & Lace Museum is currently presenting a  richly appointed first ever retrospective of his work entitled Back to the Spotlight. Head of Exhibitions and Publications Nicolas Lor tells us all about the not to be missed exhibition. https://www.fashionandlacemuseum.b...

With over 100 events and locations the 18th edition of Brussels Design September underscores the important position design has in Brussels' economy. Until September 30th you will be able to go to exhibitions, visit stores and studios, have personal encounters, attend lectures, workshops, and openings, in a showcase of Belgian excellence as well as a participation of Prague's most innovative design...

Lisa Martin has been the President of the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand and now writes from Denmark we talk all things journalism, books and new cultures.

Helena Buckinx has been writing for a long time, she joined us at this year's writefest.be and also for this podcast on the journey she took to complete her book and her poignant sweet paintings.

We are thrilled that Tony Connelly will join us in Leuven, in October, at the Writers Festival and his book 'Brexit and Ireland: The Dangers, Opportunities, the Inside Story of the Irish Response.

Author of the narrative biography 'Pyrros, with my first name', Niko talks to us from Athens about how this book came about, and the emblematic life of the celebrated Olympian Pyrros Dimas.

Visit Brussels is making a major investment in Queer Destinations. Rika Jean-François, the head of International Business Relations for QD explains what they do and why Visit Brussels' participation is so special. https://queerdestinations.com/

Every so often Valérie Lepla, owner and creator of the iconic Brussels restaurant Pistolet Original, asks a favorite chef to create a special pistolet. This time around she asked Nicolas Misera of Restaurant Misera in Antwerp to do the honors. He explains what he has concocted for a cool sensation, a pistolet based on the local sea's bounty. www.pistolet-original.be https://nicolasmisera.com/

After a thirty year meticulous restoration, the 144 year old commercial passageway connecting the rue Neuve with the Place de Brouckère is inaugurating its refound splendor with the exposition of urban wildlife photographer Thomas Jean's show entitled Sauvage. He tells us all about the rich wildlife to be found in Brussels which he has captured on film. http://www.passagedunord.be/index.php/fr/en...

Imagine!:100 Years of International Surrealism is the Royal Museum of Fine Arts' major exhibition to salute the centenary of surrealism and the last of this year's mega shows on the subject to close so you can still catch this exceptional exhibition until July 21. Head Curator Francisca Vandepitte explains the thinking behind the museum's take on the anniversary. https://fine-arts-museum.be/en/exh...