Brussels in English

The Brussels International Film Festival (BRIFF) is back with a plethora of the latest of the best International and Belgian movies and a sprinkling of much loved classics. Festival Artistic Director Céline Masset tells us all about it. https://briff.be/en/ June 25 to July 3 2024

The ULB is presenting Biladi Belgica, an itinerant exhibition of photos celebrating 60 years of Moroccan immigration to Belgium. The exhibition is currently mounted across downtown Brussels after which it will go to the ULB campus, and then to Morocco. Curator Ahmed Medhoune tells us the history behind the exhibition. Through  21 July 2024 in downtown Brussels. https://belgica-biladi.ulb.be/

In a city filled with remarkable Art Deco buildings the Villa Empain stands out as the high point. The Boghossian Foundation has restored it to its former glory and has made it not only a museum which aims to connect East and West through its exhibits, but also a convivial place with events that bring people together. Communications Director Caroline Schuermans tells all about this summer's events...

BOZAR’s contribution to the array of museum exhibitions celebrating the centenary of Surrealism is: Surrealism in Belgium: It's No Laughing Matter. The show is composed of a stellar collection of works of art brought together for the occasion including works by Paul Nougé, René Magritte, Jane Graverol, Marcel Mariën, Rachel Baes, Leo Dohmen, Paul Delvaux, Max Ernst, Yves Tanguy, Salvador Dalí, Geo...

To celebrate the centenary of Surrealism, there have been a number of special exhibitions in various museums in Brussels. One of them is coming to a close on  June 2nd so if you haven't been to the Royal Library of Belgium (KBR) to see their fascinating show James Ensor: Inspired by Brussels, do yourself a favour and go before it's too late. Daan van Heesch, the curator of the Department of Prints...

There are over 80 artisanal bakeries in Brussels but it's not always easy to find them. Luckily for us, journalist Géry Brusselmans created the website Tartine et Boterham which supplies all the information you need to be able to eat the best bread and pastries available; He also puts out a guide and the 2024 issue came out recently. We spoke with Brusselmans at the launch party for this year's ed...

There's a new museum in downtown Brussels: The Museum of Infinite Realities (MOIR) in which the visitor calls a lot of the shots; so it's immersive but also reactive. Co-founder Kristian Gilroy explains how  visitors become the hero of their own visit. https://www.museumofinfiniterealities.com/en

The role of the arts during the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648), which devastated large parts of Europe, lies at the heart of an international exhibition at the House of European History. The exhibition Bellum et Artes (War and Art) demonstrates how the warring parties used the arts as a propaganda tool and to show off their power. In the midst of a brutal war that cost millions of lives, works of a...

At the crossroad of art, curatorial practices, architecture, graphics, typography and cartography, the Belgian pavilion at the Venice Biennale features UNESCO recognised giants from Belgium, Northern France and Spain, 15 feet tall and made of wicker, fabric and papier-mâché, dancing and twirling thanks to dedicated giant carriers. The collective The Petticoat Government, a group of multidisciplina...

11 days, 3 competitions, 48 programs, 300 films, 76 screenings and much more! It's the 27th edition of the Brussels Short Film Festival (BSFF) and it's back with much loved categories such as the all night session, the very very short shorts and the open air sessions, as well as some new categories. Co-founder and director Céline Masset brings us up to date. www.bsff.be April 24th to May 4th

Have you ever hungered for a sensory experience that involves the enjoyment of artistic, intellectual, emotional and culinary experiences all at once? Check out Les Passagées, located in a 125 year old house built on a leafy square in Saint-Gilles by an architect as his home, which offers such an exploration in which the audience, artists and chefs all share, question, eat and exchange ideas aroun...

There's a new cozy, convivial club in the cellars of the Sheds at Tour et Taxis where one can get a bite to eat, have a drink and enjoy live music ranging from jazz, manouche and Brazilian, to classical. Founder Martine Renwart tells us what to expect. https://www.lebaixu.com/en Music courtesy of Henri Greindl

Brussels' native daughter Diane von Furstenberg has been back in her hometown for a number of different events in the last few months. She was honored by the city and there was a retrospective of her career at the Fashion & Lace Museum. Most recently she inaugurated a new costume for the Manneken Pis; a pint-sized version of her iconic wrap dress cut from the dress she wore on the cover of New...

To celebrate the 90th anniversary of the birth of Belgian artist Jean-Michel Folon and the 100th year of Surrealism, the Fondation Folon is highlighting his many facets by mounting four exhibitions of his work in Brussels entitled Folon a Journey in Brussels. Pauline Loumaye of the foundation gives us a rundown of everything that is taking place. https://fondationfolon.be/en/folon-a-journey-in-bru...

Bicycle use in Brussels has skyrocketed over the past few years with more and more people using bikes for daily commuting as well as recreation. As spring approaches and bike use increases even more due to the season, Adrien Guilmin, founder of Ermès Bike Services, gives us a rundown of how things have changed and what the current bike users need in terms of different kinds of maintenance. https:/...

Shelley Read, the author of ‘Go As a River’ took the time to chat from Colorado in the US about her new book. What is our connection to where we come from? And what is Colorado based author Shelley Read's connection to Belgium?

Internationally celebrated Brussels musical ensemble Ictus is presenting Liquide Room No 10 at the Maison de la Poste at Tour & Taxis on 17 March. This 10th edition, subtitled ‘Robert Ashley And The Theatre Of Voices’, is part of Klarafestival, an annual classical and new music cultural event. The name Liquid Room highlights the nature of the show which takes the form of a mini festival compos...

The 8th edition of BANAD; the Brussels Art Nouveau Art Deco Festival adds a touch of Modernism to its offer. Co Director  of Explore Brussels, Amaury De Smet tells us what to expect. https://www.banad.brussels/en/ March 9th to 24th.

Wilfrid Lupano and Mayana Itoïz bring us Le Loup en Slip (The Wolf in Underpants), a comic book series that combines philosophy, humor, and raises issues about societal values, all in a format that entertains children as it asks questions. There's a show on at the Comic Arts Museum where you can discover this character who is neither big nor bad but extremely entertaining. We spoke with author Wil...

For the 43rd edition of Anima, the venerable animated film festival, we have a world upside down. Instead of the event inspiring the makeup of the poster, it's the poster that inspired the theme of the event. The result is a perfect match: animation and science fiction. Co-director Karin  Vandenrydt tells us everything. Anima Festival 23 February - 3 March https://animafestival.be/en/about/2024-ed...

Venerable theatre Les Tanneurs, a cultural touchstone of the Marolles neighborhood, just upped their conviviality factor with a brand new foyer and restaurant. Artistic Director Alexandre Caputo  explains how the theatre going experience is about more than just seeing a performance and invites us all to the big opening bash on February 23rd. www.lestanneurs.be

After a successful first edition last year, Sculptura, the festival of sculptures and installations is back and it's bigger. Sculptura #2 is taking place in the Gare Maritime at Tours et Taxis like last year, but this year it's also in the new gardens outside the Gare Maritime as well as in the Royal Depot. 38 artists from over 20 countries are participating. Organiser Äke Verstraelen gives us the...

Venerable art fair BRAFA is back and this year the guest of honor is the Paul Delvaux Foundation as Brussels celebrates 100 years of Surrealism. We spoke with foundation Director Camille Brasseur and foundation President Pierre Alexis Hocke about what they are bringing to the fair. Through February 4th https://www.brafa.art/en

Mons is launching a festival of lights, 26 installations over a 3 KM circuit during two four day weekends. To join the yearlong and country-wide celebrations of one hundred years of Surrealism the theme of this first edition is Surrealism and Poetry. We spoke with Natacha Vandenberghe, Director of the department of Culture and Tourism of the City of Mons, Mark Largent, Co-Founder of lightshow comp...

“Small is beautiful, Miniature Art” is the first international museum entirely devoted to miniature art, compiling the work of 18 international miniature artists.and presenting their work for us to enjoy the magical and  unusual worlds created. We spoke with show producer Serge Victoria and with Derrick Lin, one of the artists. https://smallisbeautifulart.com/bruxelles/en