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The Export Edition

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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
The infrastructure of innovation: along the country’s research centres

The infrastructure of innovation: along the country’s research centres

We’ve toured the country and visited some of the most crucial research and development centers available to the scientists, innovators and entrepreneurs of today and tomorrow.

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

15 things to do in Belgium this weekend

B-boy battles in Charleroi, infinite flowers in Antwerp and democratic re-organisation in Ghent.

Neighbourhood life
On fighting for (real) Congolese history, by Bambi Ceuppens

On fighting for (real) Congolese history, by Bambi Ceuppens

We pride ourselves in having the largest Central-African collection in the world, but when you look at the objects featured in it, you’ll see that nearly all of them stem from a colonial perspective.

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

10 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Late night museum tours in Brussels, Billboard frenzies in Ghent and pink bowties in Antwerp.

Neighbourhood life
Roeland Dudal on why a good city needs industry

Roeland Dudal on why a good city needs industry

Following Architecture Workroom's exhibition at BOZAR, we asked one of its co-founders to elaborate on the matter.

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

10 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Crackpot house in Brussels, film debates in Antwerp and rap galore in Ghent.

Neighbourhood life This is Belgium
20 portraits taken from our book Thiis iis Belgiium

20 portraits taken from our book Thiis iis Belgiium

In Internet speak, it's called throwback Tuesday: 20 portraits culled from our book Thiis iis Belgiium.

Neighbourhood life Area codes
La Petite Production co-owner Laurent Dano on his essential Brussels addresses

La Petite Production co-owner Laurent Dano on his essential Brussels addresses

Co-founder of La Petite Production, a new brunch-only diner in the Flagey neighbourhood, Laurent Dano spills the beans on his favourite spots, drinking dens and getaways in Brussels.

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

15 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Oddball parties in Ghent, magical festivals in Leuven and artistic debauchery in Brussels. Do the right thing.

Neighbourhood life This is Belgium
12 innovations in personal living

12 innovations in personal living

A hand-picked list of Belgium's most useful and effective initiatives within the sharing economy, sure to facilitate your daily life.

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

15 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Psych showcases in Charleroi, film festivals in Antwerp and exhibition openings in Brussels. Do the right thing.

Neighbourhood life
How our new edition hopes to inspire you to rise up

How our new edition hopes to inspire you to rise up

With distribution of our first edition of the year now in full-swing, a few words on what inspired it, and how it hopes to inspire you to rise up.

Neighbourhood life
Wrist-takers: Time is on my mind

Wrist-takers: Time is on my mind

To mark their Walther watch hitting streets nationwide, we continue our time travelling adventures with Antwerp-based watchmaker Komono, speaking to three Brussels-based creatives about their relationship to time.

Neighbourhood life Area codes
A foodie tour of Antwerp by Buchbar’s Kim Hertogs

A foodie tour of Antwerp by Buchbar’s Kim Hertogs

A self-admitted foodie, we got together with Kim for a chat on all things culinary in her hometown of Antwerp.

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

15 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Ethnoyoutubers in Brussels, Gaming galore in Antwerp and clandestine checkpoint-inspired art in Ghent. Do the right thing.

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

15 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Certified raves in Antwerp, birthday parties in Brussels, and graphic design festivals (finally) in Liège. 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

Microperformances in Ghent, Leftfield electronica in Leuven and birthday shindigs in Brussels. Do the right thing.

Neighbourhood life Belgium building
Bart Sibiel on Brussels’ Marnix building

Bart Sibiel on Brussels’ Marnix building

To kick of this new online series, we asked Bart all about his favourite Belgian building, the Marnix mastodon on Brussels' Boulvevard du Trône / Troonlaan.

Neighbourhood life Area codes
The initiatives shaping the Charleroi of tomorrow

The initiatives shaping the Charleroi of tomorrow

From creative space to live music venue, we drop in on four venues that are strenghtening the city’s cultural landscape and shaping its future.

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

15 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Photography evenings, blackout sessions and synth queens. Do the right thing.

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

15 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Exhibition openings galore in Brussels, back-to-back DJ sets in Antwerp and snapshot paintings in Liège.

Neighbourhood life
The Word x Atrium: Family affairs

The Word x Atrium: Family affairs

In our continuing collaboration with Atrium.Brussels, the regional agency for retail, we gather tips and tricks from four local family businesses about navigating the often-treacherous, slippery slope that can be going into business with someone from your own clan.

Neighbourhood life
Cinematek conservator Nicola Mazzanti on the need of putting cinema in a glass case

Cinematek conservator Nicola Mazzanti on the need of putting cinema in a glass case

"No one would ever question why there’s such a thing as a national library, or a fine arts museum, but the question on the necessity of a cinemathèque is constantly brought up."

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

10 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Record store concerts in Brussels, group exhibitions in West-Flanders and a night out with the Dutch in Antwerp.

Neighbourhood life
The Word x Komono: Time is of the essence

The Word x Komono: Time is of the essence

In our continuing collaboration with Antwerp-based Belgian watch brand Komono to celebrate the release of its latest model, the Walther, we pick the brains of three Brussels-based creatives to find out how they like to spend - or waste – their time.

Neighbourhood life Area codes
Foreign affairs minister Didier Reynders on Brussels

Foreign affairs minister Didier Reynders on Brussels

The Liège-born politician talks restaurants, books and art in his newfound hometown of Brussels.

Neighbourhood life
The year in pictures

The year in pictures

Big up Eva, Joke, Miles, David and Thomas.

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

20 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Cold wave festivals in Sint-Niklaas, Pink noise in Antwerp and Christmas Galas in Brussels.

Neighbourhood life
The best shopping addresses in Belgium

The best shopping addresses in Belgium

Covering all your last-minute Christmas shopping needs.

Neighbourhood life Area codes
The people and places of rapper Baloji’s Ghent

The people and places of rapper Baloji’s Ghent

Up close and personal in Ghent with the iconic rapper extraordinaire.

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

20 things to do in Belgium this weekend

The closing edition of our Favourite Belgian releases listening sessions in Brussels, early end-of-year parties in Antwerp and exhibition openings in Ghent.

Neighbourhood life
Where to buy Thiis iis Belgiium

Where to buy Thiis iis Belgiium

23 spots in Belgium where to buy Thiis iis Belgiium from. Don't sleep.

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

19 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Audiovisual performances in Antwerp, Architectural scale models in Ghent and release parties in Brussels.

Neighbourhood life
I spy with my little eye: the business of investigating

I spy with my little eye: the business of investigating

Behind every Wikileaks-type article, every copyright-infringement case and every drug-ring bust, the tedious and tireless trade of investigation is at play. We turn the table on four industry players - from investigative journalist to forensic toxicologist - and do a bit of digging ourselves.

Neighbourhood life Area codes
Camille Loiseau on Brussels’ underground music scene

Camille Loiseau on Brussels’ underground music scene

From electronic to garage and French DIY pop, the head of communications at Le Vecteur reveals some of Brussels' best kept secrets.

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

15 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Yussef Kamaal in Leuven, artist talks in Antwerp and Belgian rap showdowns in Brussels.

Neighbourhood life
The unlikely story of the village of Redu

The unlikely story of the village of Redu

The unlikely powerhouse in publishing and literary circles counts 24 secondhand bookshops, a papermaker, a book binder, a book charity organisation and dozens of smaller artisan shops all linked, in one way or the other, to books.

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

20 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Microperformances in Antwerp, Billboard beauties in Ghent and Haiti benefit nights in Brussels.

Neighbourhood life
School children talk about the supermarket of the future

School children talk about the supermarket of the future

Unmanned trolleys? Check. Underground tunnel-enabled distribution? Check. Drone deliveries? Colour-coded smart shelves? Check. Hover boards? Of course.

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

20 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Simple music festivals in Brussels, modular synth celebrations in Limburg and hip hop blowouts in Charleroi. Enough to forget about what just happened.

Neighbourhood life Area codes
Rapper and beatmaker JeanJass on Charleroi

Rapper and beatmaker JeanJass on Charleroi

"It was only after I left Charleroi for Brussels that I felt more Carolo than ever."

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

20 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Serbian shindigs in Brussels, EP releases in Antwerp and post-industrial house blowouts in Charleroi.

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

20 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Poetic performances in Brussels, experimental electronica in Antwerp and organ wunderkind André Brasseur in Namur.

Neighbourhood life
Belgium’s vibrant bicycle initiatives

Belgium’s vibrant bicycle initiatives

A roam around Belgium's different bicycle-related initiatives, with profiles from a family-owned manufacturer, an edu-tainment publisher and bike sharing project, to the capital's only bike polo team.

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

15 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Poetic performances in Leuven, ephemeral ensembles in Brussels and post punk pioneers in Antwerp.

Neighbourhood life Area codes
Designer Inge Rylant’s Antwerp

Designer Inge Rylant’s Antwerp

The illustrator and freelance designer takes us on a personal tour of Antwerp.

Neighbourhood life
Anderlecht’s vibrant cluster of second-hand car dealers

Anderlecht’s vibrant cluster of second-hand car dealers

A stroll through the vibrant cluster of dealerships that could very well be called Little Africa, that sits on the communes of both Anderlecht and Molenbeek, and which today counts more than 150 family-owned garages as well as a tight-knit tribe of related businesses.

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

25 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Curated hip hop nights in Brussels, exhibition openings in Antwerp and publishing parties in Ghent.

Neighbourhood life Area codes
Gallerist Harlan Levey on Brussels

Gallerist Harlan Levey on Brussels

"In the art world people compare it to Berlin, but its much more like NYC a couple of decades ago."

Neighbourhood life
The story of independent art book publisher Art Paper Editions

The story of independent art book publisher Art Paper Editions

We paid a visit to the pioneering imprint to talk family, fun and future.

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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.

Design & development by Variable

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