Tag: Belgium

Five reasons to go see La Monnaie’s From the House of the Dead

The last ever work of early 20th century Czech composer Leoš Janáček comes to the stage at La Monnaie this November. Here are our five reasons to go and see From the House of the Dead.

8 top restaurants to explore European cuisine in Belgium

From Croation, British, Polish and Bulgarian food to Greek, Maltese, Portuguese and Austrian dishes, we've toured the country in search of home-cooked European flavours.

“I’m not really made to fit the general mould.” Pierre-Emmanuel Vandeputte on breaking away from the conventional with honest Belgian design

Design September is launching #ikkoopbelgisch/#jachetebelge for the very first time, and help you get to grips with the unlimited talent on show, we’ve gathered together three of the brightest young things that would be foolish to miss. Continuing the mini-series is Pierre-Emmanuel Vandeputte, set to showcase at Filippa K.

Five reasons not to miss La Monnaie’s 2018-19 season

This season, La Monnaie will have a schedule jam-packed with incredible shows that are sure to tickle everyone’s fancy, so we’ve curated a rundown of the crème de la crème to help you take your pick for their upcoming season.

The art of togetherness: De Zwarte Zusters on the power of mutual improvisation

In the framework of Bekegem's PLAN B art festival, various art forms will be explored, boundaries will be crossed and the unexpected is to be expected as Belgian artists and creatives from further abroad will showcase new and existing works. We've selected five artists and projects you cannot miss, rounding up with Ghent's De Zwarte Zusters.

“Music has the power to influence people’s mood, just as fashion does.” How Hermès aims to strengthen the bond between silk and music

The Word Radio recently collaborated with Hermès for their 10-day pop up record store Silk Mix. We put a few questions to Christophe Goineau, creative director of men’s silk at Hermès, and Thierry Planelle, the man behind the men’s ready-to-wear runway soundtracks to talk about fashion’s lasting love affair with music.

10 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Grand re-openings in Brussels, gritty performance art in Antwerp and artistic adventures in Ghent. Go do the right thing.

“I walk around, I ask a lot of questions, and I’m as naive as possible.” Bert Villa on human design and rediscovery

Various art forms will be explored, boundaries will be crossed and the unexpected is to be expected as Belgian artists and creatives from further abroad will showcase new and existing works in the framework of Bekegem's PLAN B art festival. We've selected five artists and projects you cannot miss, continuing the stream with multi-platform artist Bert Villa.

15 reasons to visit Brussels’ Art & History Museum

We distilled the often overlooked gem of an institution that is the Art & History Museum into 15 essential points.

15 things to do in Belgium this weekend

New locations in Ghent, remedies for the soul in Brussels and a power plant party in Zwevegem. Go do the right thing.

“A fascination for city structures.” How sculptor Elias Cafmeyer turns reality into fictional and alienating situations

Various art forms will be explored, boundaries will be crossed and the unexpected is to be expected as Belgian artists and creatives from further abroad will showcase new and existing works in the framework of Bekegem's PLAN B art festival. We've selected five artists and projects you cannot miss, following up with Antwerp-based sculptor Elias Cafmeyer.

Home-field advantage

An Etterbeekois since the age of five, editor-in-chief Nicholas Lewis and in-house photographers Miles Fischler and Thomas Ost roam the streets of Etterbeek, the village-within-a-village.

10 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Engaging film festivals in Antwerp, underdog festivals in Ghent, and our very own rooftop radio reception in Brussels. Go do the right thing.

15 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Local loves in Leuven, manuscripts unveiled in Knokke, and nocturnal museum fever in Antwerp. Go do the right thing.

“Flexibility is crucial.” How OUTLINE reflects on surroundings and its inhabitants to create art.

Various art forms will be explored, boundaries will be crossed and the unexpected is to be expected as Belgian artists and creatives from further abroad will showcase new and existing works in the framework of Bekegem's PLAN B art festival. We've selected five artists and projects you cannot miss, starting off with the multimedia collective OUTLINE.

Crazy days in Comblain: How a tiny hamlet nestled deep in the Belgian Ardennes became home to the world’s biggest jazz festival.

From the late 50s through to the mid-60s, Comblain-la-Tour played host to the world’s biggest jazz festival. Jazz expert Lander Lenaerts takes a trip down memory lane, speaking to locals and performing artists about the festival’s enduring legacy, its liberating ethos and the lasting impact it had on the country’s jazz scene.

“Running a cassette label was basically just another means of coping with my addiction.” EE Tapes’ unabashed infatuation with obscurity

In a rare interview, EE Tapes' founder Eriek Van Havere talks tape swaps, his love of compilations and why he continues to release Alain Neffe music.

15 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Trio treats in Brussels, acidic rhythms in Zerkegem and national holiday shenanigans in Leuven. Go do the right thing.

“I have three chickens, it’s located by the Atomium and my neighbour is the King.” Inside Martin Belou’s studio

Martin Belou, currently based in northwest Brussels, is no stranger to the raw and organic, performative and artisanal. With a solo exhibition of his work now showing at Hasselt’s CIAP, contemporary artist Martin Belou discusses the place his studio occupies in his collage-esque body of work, why a circular space makes all the difference and the Pink Floyd video shot on the studio’s rooftop.

Five reasons to visit BOZAR’s RESIST!

BOZAR has launched its second major summer exhibition RESIST! - unmissable, but if you need more convincing, here are five reasons why you should go.

10 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Memorable confusion in Antwerp, painted models in Brussels and yearly festivities in Ghent. Go do the right thing.

8 essential botanical gardens and arboretums in Belgium

We’ve put together a selection of eight essential botanical gardens and arboretums to pepper your summer bucket list.

Five reasons not to miss BOZAR’s Somewhere In Between

To make navigating through BOZAR's expansive Somewhere in Between exhibition easier, we've hand-picked five reasons why you simply cannot miss this.

20 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Occupation rhetorics in Brussels, homecoming celebrations in Antwerp and sonic innovation in Liège. Go do the right thing.

51N4E: The architecture practice using Brussels as a testing ground for future change

We sat down with Brussels-based architectural practice 51N4E's co-founding partner Freek Persyn to talk about their growing influential role, the necessity of a bottom-up approach to city planning and how Brussels is the best playground an architect could currently hope for.

20 things to do in Belgium this weekend

International showcases in Ostend, journal structures in Ghent and accidental music at our very own The Word Radio. Go do the right thing.

Mugwump’s Geoffroy handpicks 12 essential Belgian releases

With Mugwump's latest release Drape hot off the press, Brussels-based house DJ Geoffroy Dewandeler picks his 12 Belgian bangers.

Five reasons to go see La Monnaie’s Bluebeard’s Castle & The Miraculous Mandarin

Renowned for Béla Bartók's gothic magnificence, we select five reasons why La Monnaie's next double-bill productions are unmissable.

25-to-life: Part 5 of Centrale for Contemporary Art’s essentials

We distill the ambitious Centrale for Contemporary Art in 25 essentials, rounding it off with Part 5.

Mais ouais! The baffling story of the Brussels-based label, unheard of to local audiences save for the enlightened few, that went on to release some of the most daring electronic music to be found

In a rare interview, we talk name changes, music industry strife and record fetishism with the famously media-wary Frederic Mergam of WéMè record label.

Translating conversations into photographs: Hadrien Duré’s search for great stories behind local people

We posed Hadrien Duré a couple of questions about keeping the camera rolling outside of the boxing ring, travelling all over the Mediterranean and keeping everyone on their toes.

21 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Dripping decadence in Antwerp, calculated chaos in Leuven and bumping beats in Brussels. Go do the right thing.

Pictures of our recent The Word Radio presents All That Jazz party

A selection of pictures from our recent The Word Radio presents All That Jazz: a full day of radio shows, DJ sets and live concerts.

20 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Psychedelic beats in Brussels, underground garage in Hasselt and revolutionary creatives in Ghent. Go do the right thing.

“I don’t trust anyone who says they don’t like pop music!” Inne Eysermans on new adventures in sound art.

Composer, producer and Amatorski frontwoman Inne Eysermans discusses influences, her monthly show on The Word Radio and the liberating effect of not being tied to any release schedule.

Five reasons not to miss BOZAR’s Jazztivism

Renowned for its all-encompassing and innovative approach to jazz, we select five reasons why BOZAR’s Jazztivism is one to be noted.

Conceptual re-evaluation: Balthazar Delepierre’s design exploration

From familial inspiration with typography to finding his stride in style, Brussels-based independent graphic designer Balthazar Delepierre talks us through his portfolio.

20 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Jazz spectacular in Liège, friendships in Antwerp and grand reveals in Brussels. Go do the right thing.

All that jazz: Part 2 of Brussels’ jazz scene

To mark International Jazz Day and The Word Radio's All That Jazz party on Monday 30th April, we’ve teamed up with Jazz.Brussels and handpicked 11 essential figures in Brussels jazz today.

20 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Cut-throat rhythms in Antwerp, solitary bliss in Leuven, and our very own bank holiday jazz jam. Go do the right thing.

30 things to do in Belgium this weekend

A special edition dedicated to Brussels' contemporary art week of the year, and of course, various not-to-be-missed opportunities throughout the country to shake the week off. Go do the right thing.

Five reasons not to miss deSingel’s BOUGE B

Renowned for its fresh perspective and multisensory approach to performance art, we select five reasons why this year's BOUGE B is one to be noted.

On the streets of Belgium, Part 2: Eva Donckers

The Word Magazine and Fujifilm are happy to invite you to a free street photography workshop, and for the occassion, we sent our own in-house photographer Eva Donckers to capture our streets.

On creating an Advanced Master in Gender Studies, by Tania Van Hemelryck

Belgium can sometimes be criticised for being late to the party and being behind on certain movements, as was the case with gender studies education - but luckily that absence in our higher education sector has been corrected.

25-to-life: Part 4 of Centrale for Contemporary Art’s essentials

We distill the ambitious Centrale for Contemporary Art in 25 essentials, carrying on the five-part series with Part 4.

Leuven-based DJ Hassel Dehaes’ 10 Belgian gems

Leuven-based DJ and The Word Radio resident host Hassel Dehaes selects his 10 Belgian bangers ahead of his next show tomorrow Friday.

20 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Cultural cannibalism in Antwerp, tangible femininity in Brussels and sweaty grooves in Mechelen. Go do the right thing.

“If we dig it, we’re going to spit over it.” Brussels-based rap phenomenon Le 77 on the past, the present and the future

In the whirlwind that was their second release Bawlers, we managed to catch Dr. Peet and manager Rayan of Le 77 in the comfort of their home to talk houseparties, influential aesthetics and repping area codes.

“We’d rather invite the guys you probably never heard of.” Splḗn co-founder Felix Claus on the next energetic edition

With the next edition of energetic festival Splḗn hosted this coming weekend, we put a few questions to co-founder Felix Claus about breaking the music festival mould, championing up-and-coming artists and how to keep energy levels high.

On shaping educational policy from the ground up, by Rania el Mard

VSK spokesperson Rania el Mard took the time out of her busy schedule to share her irksome experiences when transitioning education systems, and her optimism for Flemish students' futures.

Five reasons to go see La Monnaie’s Lohengrin

We select five reasons why La Monnaie's next month-long production Lohengrin is one to be noted.

15 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Masculinity under fire in Brussels, celestial mixes in Ghent and world-class frames in Antwerp. Go do the right thing.

On the evolution of Congolese history education in Belgium, by Lucas Catherine

In a candid interview, historian Lucas Catherine recalls the progression of Belgium's colonial history in not only schools, but our general social fabric as a whole.

On the stigmas attached to different educational paths, by Simon Boone

Transbaso's research coordinator Simon Boone makes a passionate demand for change in Flander's education system.

The Belgian Breakfast Club

In-house photographer Thomas Ost criss-crossed the country far and wide, visiting various different secondary schools in a bid to capture the generations of tomorrow.

The people and projects modernising the school curriculum of tomorrow

We look into the innovations and ideas laying a blueprint for the all-inclusive, fair and sustainable community of tomorrow.

“I want to create something that can stand on its own.” Midnight Chardonnay founder Mamiko Motto on the debut edition of her nomadic festival concept

With the first edition of Midnight Chardonnay hosted this coming Saturday at Antwerp's Het Bos, we put a few questions to founder Mamiko Motto.

Ballon Rouge Collective curator Evelyn Simons on collective speculation

We put a few questions to Brussels-based curator Evelyn Simons on her current exhibition with Philip Janssens, about being at the forefront of an international movement, and why they needed a thousand tulips.

25-to-life: Part 3 of Centrale for Contemporary Art’s essentials

We distill the ambitious Centrale for Contemporary Art in 25 essentials, continuing on the five-part series with Part 3.

15 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Demonic decadence in Gaasbeek, immortalised taboos in Brussels and jungle designs in Antwerp. Go do the right thing.

25-to-life: Part 2 of Centrale for Contemporary Art’s essentials

We distill the ambitious Centrale for Contemporary Art in 25 essentials, carrying on the five-part series with Part 2.

Ghent-based producers Asa Moto handpick 10 essential Belgian stompers

Allez Allez, Dan Lacksman, Lavvi Ebbel, Snowy Red and The Weathermen come together in the Ghent-based producers' selection of Belgian essentials.

Behind the scenes of Kasper De Vos’ hectic studio

Inside access into Kasper De Vos' mad scientist's laboratory, with rusted scissors, scattered photographs and half-finished sculptures giving a taste of his multidimensional mind.

The way you make me move: Recently deceased Ghent-based artist Lucas Devriendt, as recalled by friends, colleagues and students

A series of first-hand tributes collected by artlead.net's Thomas Caron, commemorating the legacy of artist and teacher Lucas Devriendt, and how he touched so many lives.

Life as a cyclist in Brussels has improved in the last few years

Continuing our series on the love for cycling, two Brussels-based locals argue for bicycles as a viable urban mode of transportation.

Christophe Collas’ 15 best Belgian photobooks

In honour of the second edition of the Liège Photobook Festival running this weekend, we've asked photographer and curator Christope Collas to round up a 15-strong list of this year's best contemporary Belgian photobooks.

20 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Airwave birthdays in Ghent, all female line-ups in Brussels and over-the-top art in Antwerp. Go do the right thing.

Out The Frame lays down 10 Belgian bangers

All Eyes On Hip Hop's Willem Vandesande and Vooruit's Wouter Vanhaelemeesch have handpicked 10 of their standout Belgian releases ahead of Out The Frame, a brand new indoor hip-hop festival taking place this Saturday.

25-to-life: Part 1 of Centrale for Contemporary Art’s essentials

We distill the ambitious Centrale for Contemporary Art in 25 essentials, kicking off the five-part series with introductory Part 1.

20 things to do in Belgium this weekend

Critically-acclaimed rap in Liège, feline-inspired art in Brussels and creative carnivals in Charleroi. Go do the right thing.

10 public libraries in Belgium

Public libraries fulfil an invaluable, and very necessary, role in modern society – we pay tribute to some of the country’s most distinct and distinguished ones in the hope of encouraging you to renew your membership once and for all.

Interrogating the individual: Island’s Emmanelle Indekeu on Me, me, me, me

Curator Emmanuelle Indekeu unpicks the temporality and pertinence of bringing artists together for Brussels-based gallery Island's current exhibition, whilst tapping into her own creative inspirations

On capturing portraits of a generation by Gen Z’s Salvatore Calcagno, Antoine Neufmars and Emilie Flamant

Questioning what it means to be a youth in the digital age and how political consciousness is shaping their future choices, the result is the interdisciplinary documentary event Gen Z that reconciles Millenials in all their complexities.

Resurrecting darlings: Ines Cox’s design self-reflections

From childhood games with a copy machine to finding inspiration from her students, the unrelentless Ines Cox talks us through her portfolio.

Digging deep into the Acker process: Florian Fischer on To Name Herstory

It's your last chance to catch To Name Herstory, and director Florian Fischer gives his own interrogative take on Kathy Acker's intentions and discusses the challenges of transforming her work into theatre for the occasion.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Talks, tips and thoughts on Brussels (part 2)

Part two of our series of interviews on Brussels with some of The Word Radio's out-of-town residents.

The 40 best photographs of 2017

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.

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.

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.

“The chaos of the city could be exhausting as a citizen, but as an artist, it’s a treasure.”

Five foreign-born, Brussels-based artists on their newfound home, and the kind of impact the city has had on their work.

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.

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.

Bikes allow you to see more of the sky

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

Class of ’17 – Part III

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

Class of ’17 – Part II

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

“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.

The six sequences of ADAM’s collection, part 5: The Aesthetics of Abundance

A "thrilling adventure of the real": how plastics facilitated formal innovation in the 1960s.

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.

“I’ve always had something of a fascination for folkloric figures”: The tall tales of sculptor Eric Croes

We caught up with the artist Eric Croes in his Etterbeek studio to talk myths, artistic renewal and the clumsiness of ceramics.

Behind the scenes of Lieven Segers’ unconventional studio

Look behind the scenes at Antwerp-based artist Lieven Segers atelier.

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.

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.

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.

10 essential movie posters – Part 2

From the essential (La Promesse) to the graphic (De Zaak Alzheimer) and the revolutionary (23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles), we zoom in on the artwork that positioned these movies for longevity.

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.

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.

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.