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 [...]
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 [...]
The Golden Pilot
Taking a look at an unusual memorial on Avenue Louise.
A small monument topped with a gold bust of a pilot on Avenue Louise, the scene of a heroic attack on the morning of January 20th, 1943 from lone Belgian pilot, Baron Jean de Selys Longchamps. This was the culmination of his dogged desire to fight [...]
Mirror, Mirror
We discover an artwork that offers a different perspective
Inside the lovely Champ de Mars park on Rue Trone is a sculpture by Dan Graham, “Two-Two-Way-Mirror Half Circles”. Made from glass and steel, it appears translucent and uninspiring from outside.
Once inside, especially on a sunny day, the piece becomes almost overwhelming as reflections shimmer and distort, [...]
