Printing in Tongues
Ever since Johannes Gutenberg started playing around with an olive press and discovered the modern printing process in 1439, Europe has been at the centre of the literary world.
Even today, the UK produces more new titles per year than either the US or China.
The European Commission has decided to capitalise on this literary legacy by [...]
Nika Belianina and the Creature
Brussels’ Gallery Gabrichidze is hosting some talented young artists in their latest exhibition, Krakozjabra.
Nika Belianina is a petite, almost elfin young Moscow girl, now living in Toronto where she works as an artist and filmaker. I explain that it’s traditional in Brussels to interview people over a beer so we head to the Grand Place, [...]
Facebook and Frites unite Belgium
Camera in hand, Andy Carling attended the inaugural National Frites Day in Brussels.
Around a hundred people gathered recently in Brussels’ Place Reine Astrid to celebrate the inauguration of National Frite Day.
The event was organised through the social networking website, Facebook. The two men behind the event, Jamal Aynaou and Bao-Lan Nguyen-Phuoc, explained how it all [...]
Brussels Flower Carpet
The bi-annual Brussels Flower Carpet has become a major event for locals and tourists alike. In preparation for the opening, teams of eager planters worked throughout the day to lay the intricate pattern of this year’s design, La Savonnerie, based on designs from 18th century French tapestries.
The highlight for many is the sound and light [...]
Bikers invade Leopoldsburg
Motorcycle clubs from all over Europe may have gathered in Belgium, but the day belonged to Harley Davidson lovers.
LAST weekend saw the annual Harley Davidson Rally in Leopoldsburg, where around 2,000 bikers gathered to parade around the cordoned off town centre, watched by crowds of fellow bikers and local residents.
On Saturday, the rally headed to [...]
Belgian celebrates its 178th National Day
Andy Carling describes how the weather on 21 July was a true reflection of the hearts of many Belgians.
Dark clouds hung over the National Day celebrations, attendance seemed to be half of last year’s and the sodden atmosphere dampened spirits.
The joke beforehand was that “You should come to this year’s event because it might be [...]
Street Music
It shouldn’t be surprising in a city like Brussels that it’s most famous musician is also practically unknown.
New in town, I had just had a meeting with the Tax office that left my spirits lower than the Dead Sea and my wallet lighter than helium when I chanced across a street musician who looked like [...]
