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made in Belgium

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Neighbourhood life

Belgium building

Discussing iconic Belgian architecture with urban planners, architects, writers and curators.

Do the right thing

Weekly listings of exhibitions, concerts, openings, parties and events to do over the weekend.

Area codes

Local heroes reveal their favourite neighbourhood hotspots and hangouts – from bars and bookshops to restaurants and galleries.

This is Belgium

The best Belgian-only art, food, photography, music, travel, architecture and neighbourhood tips from the magazine’s team of editors.

hub heroes

We team up with hub.brussels, Brussels’ Business Support Agency, and shine a light on 50 of the Region’s start-up success stories driving the capital city’s economic landscape forward. From the eco-conscious manufacturer to the technology-enabled post-production imprint, our 50-strong selection of portraits and interviews plays testament to the Region’s dense and dynamic culture of entrepreneurship.

The Brussels Bike Hundred

We’re teaming up with Bike for Brussels to put together a 100-strong selection of local heroes shaping the city each in their own way. From designers and DJs to performers and publishers, these are the creatives riding Brussels forward.

The Mechelen Hundred

Nestled between Brussels and Antwerp, Mechelen has often been overshadowed by its larger neighbours. Yet teaming up with the City of Mechelen, our line-up of 100 of the city’s most prominent people, places and projects proves the extent of its potential. From artists and creatives to critical thinkers and fighters, these are the powerhouses driving Mechelen forward one step at a time.

The House Hundred

We’re teaming up with Bulldog to select 100 essential people, places and projects in Belgian house music. From producers and DJs to record labels and festivals, these are the forces driving the homegrown house scene forward, one BPM at a time.

The Leuven Hundreds

We’ve joined forces with Leuven to highlight 100 local people, places and projects that contribute towards making the city what it is today. From artists and architects to producers and professors, these are the driving forces powering Leuven forward one ingenious initiative at a time.

The Antwerp Hundreds

We've teamed up with This is Antwerp to bring you The Antwerp Hundreds, a 100-strong selection of local movers and shakers setting the tone for the neighbourhood of tomorrow.

Art

On-design

An in-depth look at the work of Belgian design studios, published monthly.

Favourite Belgian movies

Selections of essential Belgian movies handpicked by artistic directors, curators and all-round cinema connoisseurs.

Curator talks

Intimate conversations with curators dissecting the ambitions, intentions and narratives of their recently opened exhibitions.

Exhibition reviews

Visual documentaries of recently opened contemporary art exhibitions in Belgium.

Portfolio reports

Reviewing the practice of Belgium-based artists through in-depth looks at their recent works.

Studio visits

Exploring the environments and artistic spaces of some of the country’s foremost contemporary artists.

The art throwaway project

Insights into the lives of local contemporary art movers and shakers through our office Quicksnaps.

Music

Exclusive mixes

Hour-long mixes recorded by the crème de la crème of Belgian DJs and producers exclusively for us.

Favourite Belgian releases

Selections of essential Belgian tracks handpicked by local tastemakers, from DJs and producers to record label heads and record store clerks.

The music throwaway project

Backstage antics, tour tales and onstage adventures with some of the country’s most exciting musical talents captured with our office Quicksnaps.

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menu The Word Magazine

Neighbourhood life, 
art and music
made in Belgium

Follow us

Neighbourhood life
On why future generations need us to act instead of talk

On why future generations need us to act instead of talk

Editor-in-chief Nicholas Lewis considers the all-inclusiveness and tolerance suddenly besieging the cultural sector.

Neighbourhood life Do the right thing
15 things to do this weekend

15 things to do this weekend

Post-revolution revelations in Brussels, fusion-dabke in Ghent and enigmatic art reveals in Antwerp. Go do the right thing.

Neighbourhood life Area codes
HORST and ONKRUID co-founder Jochem Daelman’s commuting go-to spots

HORST and ONKRUID co-founder Jochem Daelman’s commuting go-to spots

We caught up with HORST and ONKRUID's Jochem Daelman to find out his favourite go-to-spots in his hometown of Leuven, to discoveries in his new Brussels home.

Neighbourhood life Do the right thing
15 things to do in Belgium this weekend

15 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Mineral unearthing in Leuven, queer love in Ghent and visual art crossovers in Liège. Go do the right thing.

Neighbourhood life
The neighbourhood neo-canteen using social inclusion as its prime ingredient for local change

The neighbourhood neo-canteen using social inclusion as its prime ingredient for local change

Underpinned by a belief in the power of the local economy, Refresh distinguishes itself by its intent to lower the barrier to entry to durable and ethical living.

Art Curator talks
On battling indifference

On battling indifference

Based off of an interview with S.M.A.K.'s Philippe Van Cauteren, a manifesto concerning the power of museums in battling indifference and its ability to shape engaged and motivated individuals.

Neighbourhood life Do the right thing
15 things to do in Belgium this weekend

15 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Film rights in Antwerp, dance in practice in Brussels and meaty dancefloor jams in Arlon. Go do the right thing.

Neighbourhood life
All-in-ones, or how the slash generation is re-inventing the work-life balance (Part 4)

All-in-ones, or how the slash generation is re-inventing the work-life balance (Part 4)

We talk work ethics, balancing acts and unwinding tips with three distinguished do-it-alls in part four of our investigative series on all-in-ones.

Art Curator talks
From riots to regeneration: Operational Aesthetics opens today at CIVA in Brussels

From riots to regeneration: Operational Aesthetics opens today at CIVA in Brussels

We consider the transformative effect of Neighbourhood Contracts on Brussels' landscape, economy and social cohesion. 

Neighbourhood life Do the right thing
20 things to do in Belgium this weekend

20 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Graphic design gold-mines in Liège, minimalist perfection in Antwerp and smoozey love songs in Brussels. Go do the right thing.

Neighbourhood life
On increasing transparency, by Cumuleo’s Christophe Van Gheluwe

On increasing transparency, by Cumuleo’s Christophe Van Gheluwe

Fed up with the total disregard for accountability and even democracy, the public auditing platform Cumuleo was launched in 2009 to increase the transparency surrounding our politicians’ multiple mandates, and rebuild the people's trust in our elected officials.

Neighbourhood life Do the right thing
15 things to do in Belgium this weekend

15 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Contemporary art's beating pulse in Brussels, post-punk mysticism in Antwerp and funk galore in Leuven. Go do the right thing.

Neighbourhood life Do the right thing
20 things to do in Belgium this weekend

20 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Snapshots of the Middle East in Brussels, electro-mania in Charleroi and artist blind dates in Ghent. Go do the right thing.

Music
On creating music producing software Fruityloops, by Jean-Marie Cannie

On creating music producing software Fruityloops, by Jean-Marie Cannie

Image-Line Software founder and CTO Jean-Marie Cannie takes the time to describe how the globally beloved and colourful music production interface Fruityloops came to be.

Neighbourhood life This is Belgium
Neighbourhood Heroes: Best for cultural centres

Neighbourhood Heroes: Best for cultural centres

Our finetuned selection of cultural centres: the undisputed unsung heroes of the neighbourhood, the beacons of cultural empowerment remaining a crucial and necessary function of the social landscape.

Neighbourhood life Do the right thing
15 things to do in Belgium this weekend

15 things to do in Belgium this weekend

A corporal mini film fest in Ghent, bebop jazz interpretations in Brussels, and the faces of humanity in Liège. Go do the right thing.

Neighbourhood life
Bikes allow you to see more of the sky

Bikes allow you to see more of the sky

How two entrepreneurs have placed two-wheelers at the heart of their budding businesses.

Neighbourhood life
Class of ’17 – Part III

Class of ’17 – Part III

Take a look at 7 more of the most influential Belgians who broke through the mould in 2017.

Neighbourhood life
Class of ’17 – Part II

Class of ’17 – Part II

Take a look at 8 more of the most influential Belgians who broke through the mould in 2017.

Neighbourhood life Do the right thing
20 things to do in Belgium this winter, with a New Year’s bonus special

20 things to do in Belgium this winter, with a New Year’s bonus special

We'll be taking a two-week break as we head into the new year - so we've prepared a hefty holiday agenda to keep you covered. Go do the right thing.

Neighbourhood life This is Belgium
The Holiday Spirit: 10 charities for giving

The Holiday Spirit: 10 charities for giving

We've selected 10 Belgium-based charities that are tilting the balance towards generosity and kindness for those in need, from professional mentoring schemes aimed at refugees to national animal rights charities.

Neighbourhood life
Class of ’17 – Part I

Class of ’17 – Part I

Take a look at the first 8 of some of the most influential Belgians who broke through the mould in 2017.

Neighbourhood life Do the right thing
15 things to do in Belgium this weekend

15 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Happy faces in Ghent, the contemporary art renaissance in Brussels, and late-night shindigs in Antwerp. Go do the right thing.

Neighbourhood life
On being another kind of venue, by Tommy De Nys

On being another kind of venue, by Tommy De Nys

As head of programmation and communication at Les Ateliers Claus, Tommy De Nys discusses how to maintain a unique underground music venue.

Neighbourhood life
On fighting for colonial contextualisation, by CLCMD’s Kalvin Soiresse Niall

On fighting for colonial contextualisation, by CLCMD’s Kalvin Soiresse Niall

Collectif Mémoire Coloniale et Lutte Contre les Discriminations is the country's loudest voice concerning the decolonisation of education, space, and the Belgian collective memory; and as such constantly seek to turn their words into affirmative action.

Neighbourhood life Do the right thing
15 things to do in Belgium this weekend

15 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Thought-provoking dance performances in Brussels, late-night exhibitions in Ghent and local heroes in Eupen. Go do the right thing.

Neighbourhood life
On running neighbourhood jazz club Sounds Jazz Club, by Sergio Duvalloni

On running neighbourhood jazz club Sounds Jazz Club, by Sergio Duvalloni

From a clear-cut artistic direction, to a careful balancing act between panache and a no-nonsense attitude, Sounds Jazz Club's Sergio Duvalloni reveals all.

Neighbourhood life
The Word Radio launch

The Word Radio launch

Much love to Rémy Martin, Cabinet du Ministre-Président Rudi Vervoort, Images de Bruxelles, Kabinet van Pascal Smets and Fujifilm for their invaluable support. the word.radio

Neighbourhood life
On creating a fanzine for kids, by Cuistax’s Chloe Perarnau and Fanny Dreyer

On creating a fanzine for kids, by Cuistax’s Chloe Perarnau and Fanny Dreyer

We met at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Brussels, where we both studied illustration. After graduating in 2012, we continued drawing and working on projects together, supporting each other during the uneasy post-graduate phase of trying to set up our careers. We’d both had our fair share of commissioned work for several editors […]

Neighbourhood life Do the right thing
10 things to do in Belgium this weekend

10 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Intimate sound sessions in Waterloo, contemporary dance explorations in Ghent and The Word Radio launch party in our very own HQ.

Neighbourhood life Do the right thing
10 things to do in Belgium this weekend

10 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Dive-bar shindigs in Leuven, birthday celebrations in Antwerp, and the future of contemporary art in Brussels. Go do the right thing.

Neighbourhood life
On launching The Word Radio, an online community radio for Belgium

On launching The Word Radio, an online community radio for Belgium

A few words from our editor-in-chief Nicholas Lewis on the launch, next Friday 1st December, of The Word Radio.

Neighbourhood life
Neighbourhood watch: The design improvements Region of Brussels’ residents would bring to their Communes (Part 2)

Neighbourhood watch: The design improvements Region of Brussels’ residents would bring to their Communes (Part 2)

Nine more Brussels-based locals imagine the potential futures for architectural design in their neighbourhoods.

Neighbourhood life Do the right thing
10 things to do in Belgium this weekend

10 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Rebel art films in Brussels, industrial rhythms in Ghent and mindful wanderings in Charleroi. Go do the right thing.

Art
On capturing the future, by Agence Future

On capturing the future, by Agence Future

We sat down with the duo behind Agence Future to discuss their lives' work, blurring the boundaries between academic vigour and creative art.

Neighbourhood life This is Belgium
11 iconic Belgian logos: the design and stories behind the country’s trademark symbols

11 iconic Belgian logos: the design and stories behind the country’s trademark symbols

We take a trip through memory lane and revisit some of the titans of Belgian industry, both past and present, through their iconic visual identities.

Neighbourhood life Do the right thing
10 things to do in Belgium this weekend

10 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Antique gems in Namur, pioneering ambient explorers in Antwerp, and festivals galore. Go do the right thing.

Neighbourhood life
On growing fully biodegradable organic materials out of food waste, by Elise Elsacker

On growing fully biodegradable organic materials out of food waste, by Elise Elsacker

Elise Elsacker is a co-founder of Magma Nova, an agency helping designers and companies work with bio-fabricated rather than extracted materials.

Neighbourhood life
Neighbourhood watch: The design improvements Region of Brussels’ residents would bring to their Communes (Part 1)

Neighbourhood watch: The design improvements Region of Brussels’ residents would bring to their Communes (Part 1)

10 Brussels-based locals imagine a future for architectural design in their neighbourhoods.

Neighbourhood life Area codes
Crevette Records’ founder Pim Thomas on his perfect hideouts in Brussels

Crevette Records’ founder Pim Thomas on his perfect hideouts in Brussels

Brussels-based DJ and Record Store owner Pim Thomas shares his favourite spots.

Neighbourhood life
“I think you need some guts to live here”: The enduring and contradictory appeal of Borgerhout

“I think you need some guts to live here”: The enduring and contradictory appeal of Borgerhout

We round up some of Borgerhout’s most involved and committed residents to consider the neighbourhood’s many different facets and discuss what makes it the hotbed of possibilities and potential it is today.

Neighbourhood life
We’re hiring: Looking for a new editorial assistant

We’re hiring: Looking for a new editorial assistant

We're expanding our editorial team, and are looking to add some weight to our design and cities desks. Read the full job description and apply.

Neighbourhood life
Let’s face it, biking is the future

Let’s face it, biking is the future

Continuing our series on the love for cycling, two Brussels-based locals share how biking has changed their lives for the better.

Neighbourhood life
On housing two generations under one same roof, by Chantal Baestle

On housing two generations under one same roof, by Chantal Baestle

Mons-based Chantal Baestle recounts her experience with the Belgian intergenerational housing project 1toit2ages.

Neighbourhood life
On improving local staple dishes one rating at a time, by Boulets Liégois

On improving local staple dishes one rating at a time, by Boulets Liégois

Four Liège-locals on why they started reviewing the iconic dish boulets liégeois.

Neighbourhood life
BelgoMarkt, the neighbourhood grocer banking on homegrown produce

BelgoMarkt, the neighbourhood grocer banking on homegrown produce

We met with the founders of BelgoMarkt, a year-old new age grocer relying on a myriad of Belgian producers, to talk entrenched habits, learning curves and what lies ahead.

Neighbourhood life Do the right thing
10 things to do in Belgium this weekend

10 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Offline fashion stints in Antwerp, electro wizards in Ghent and urban glorifications in Brussels. Go do the right thing.

Neighbourhood life
On Ghent’s urban farming marketplace, by Joksie Biesemans

On Ghent’s urban farming marketplace, by Joksie Biesemans

How Ghent-based Joksie Biesemans started farming as a hobby and eventually became Buurderij's Assembly Host.

Neighbourhood life
On tips for sustainable urban lifestyles, by Dot-to-dot

On tips for sustainable urban lifestyles, by Dot-to-dot

The three Brussels-based founders of upstart online magazine Dot-to-dot discuss why and how they made urban sustainability easier to grasp.

Music
All-in-ones, or how the slash generation is re-inventing the work-life balance (Part 3)

All-in-ones, or how the slash generation is re-inventing the work-life balance (Part 3)

Part three of our investigative series on the country’s creative do-it-alls: candid talks with a DJ, a producer and a barista.

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The Word Magazine is Belgium’s leading English-speaking free media platform, documenting and championing the best in neighbourhood living, music and art. Published every two months, the magazine is distributed in over 500 distribution points across the country.

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