Neighbourhood life 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.
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing 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.
Music Favourite Belgian releases 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.
Music Five reasons not to miss BOZAR’s March Electronic Series Carrying on the torch with their second BOZAR Electronic Series night of the year, we dissect five reasons to not miss out on the upcoming soirée this Saturday.
Art 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.
Art Portfolio reports The lighter side of satire: William Ludwig Lutgens’ unfiltered mind Antwerp-based visual artist William Ludwig Lutgens takes us through the chaotic thought processes behind his rebellious works.
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing 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.
Neighbourhood life This is Belgium 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.
Art Curator talks 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
Art 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.
Neighbourhood life 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 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 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 Mineral unearthing in Leuven, queer love in Ghent and visual art crossovers in Liège. Go do the right thing.
Art Portfolio reports “Art should protect vulnerable histories and project future hypothesis, repositioning perspectives and unravelling potentiality.” The cerebral work of Emmanuel Van der Auwera Emmanuel Van der Auwera discusses the genesis of his artistic practice, the inflection point that was 9/11 and how society at large processes trauma.
Neighbourhood life 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.
Music 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.
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing 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.
Art Curator talks 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 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 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.
Music Talks, tips and thoughts on Brussels (part 1) We ask a selection of The Word Radio's hosts and guests to reveal what they've discovered about Brussels.
Art “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.
Art Portfolio reports Delicate intimacy in Maria Baoli’s photography Amongst FoMu platform .tiff's selection of ten strong artists this year, one in particular caught our eye: Brussels-based Maria Baoli breaks down her past, present, and future works for us.
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing 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.
Art Portfolio reports “I look at life with an urge to understand its shape and core”: Elke Andreas Boon’s gaze at the brutal and vulnerable Nothing holds Ghent's Elke Andreas Boon back as she unflinchingly tackles thorny questions on belonging and survival, pain and empathy in her wide-ranging oeuvre.
Art The art throwaway project Pink spring: Alejandra Hernández’s snaps of India Bogota-by-Brussels artist Alejandra Hernandez's journeyed through India last year, and luckily for us, she brought back a throwaway to share.
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing 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.
Neighbourhood life 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.
Neighbourhood life 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 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 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 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 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 This is Belgium 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 Do the right thing 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 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 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 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 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 Do the right thing 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.
Music “There’s no way to define it simply. It’s music that evolves in a Bermuda triangle between rock, world and electronic music.” Deciphering the bewildering world of Brussels-based record label Crammed Discs In a candid two-hour interview, we talk to Crammed Discs' Marc Hollander about the fetishism surrounding vinyl records, not being a legacy label and how a chance encounter with Marc Moulin gave him his first big break.
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing 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.
Art Curator talks visionandfactory’s Hugo Puttaert on Integrated 2017’s urgent manifesto Curator Hugo Puttaert shares the aims and visions involved in this year's Integrated conference, which will be held at Antwerp's deSingel over the next two days.
Neighbourhood life 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.
Art Honey I shrunk the kids: Jaco Van Dormael’s bagload of capsules Celebrated Belgian filmmaker Jaco Van Dormael discusses scales, studio tactics and how lovely it is to get to work with family in light of his series of seven capsule videos, in collaboration with signature leathergood imprint Delvaux.
Neighbourhood life 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.
Art Curator talks 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 life 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.
Art Portfolio reports “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.
Neighbourhood life Area codes 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 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.
Art Exhibition reviews Five things to check out at ING Art Centre’s “Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Urban Projects” ING Art Centre are visiting Christo and Jeanne-Claude's impressive career for this year's expansive exhibition, and we handpick five unavoidable points for the occasion.
Art Favourite Belgian movies 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.
Neighbourhood life 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 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.
Music 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.
Art On the fanclub we created for artist Vaast Colson, by Herman Labro and Julien Stiers Non-profit collective art space w wh at* discusses the beginnings and processes involved in their intriguing project, voorforvaast fanclub.
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing 10 things to do in Belgium this weekend Photo-mania in Antwerp, the Belgian underground in Ghent, and self-awareness in Brussels.
Music Brussels-based electronic producer Simon Hold on his latest 7″ release From humble beginnings to high-fashion runways, the Ghent native talks candidly about the makings of his most recent Vlek release.
Art Curator talks The six sequences of ADAM’s collection, part 4: Design as a Trojan Horse Was American design in the 1970s protest or pure innovation?
Neighbourhood life Why Belgium needs to look closer to home before pointing fingers. With the country's seeming unwillingness to tackle its own fundamental failings head on, its ability to hold a moral compass up to its international partners stands diminished.
Neighbourhood life Photographs of our launch party at Brussels’ CIVA Foundation last week Best. Night. Ever.
Music Favourite Belgian releases Favourite Belgian Releases: Locked Groove Berlin-based Locked Groove is back for one night in Ampere, and lays down 10 of his all-time favourite Belgian releases for the occasion.
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing 10 things to do in Belgium this weekend Season relaunches in Aalst, street-art festivities in Ghent, and The Word family get-together in Brussels. Go do the right thing.
Music How an accountant gave experimental producers much needed room to breathe, one 7” single at a time. Ahead of Celine Gillain's live performance at our release party this Friday, we delve into the world of Brussels-based 7" imprint Lexi Disques.
Music Exclusive mixes Exclusive mix 97: Monolithe Noir Ahead of a busy season, Monolithe Noir's cooked up a drone-y concoction of stuff that he's been listening to for a few years now.
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing 15 things to do in Belgium this weekend Open-air beats in Ghent, darkroom amours in Antwerp, and a strong season for Brussel's contemporary art scene.
Music Bold is the night part 5: Crevette Records’ Pim Thomas on Brussels’ smaller club nights (Video) Part five of our six-part series of videos in collboration with Bulldog sees Crevette Records' Pim Thomas take up Brussels' nightlife scene's oft-overlooked nooks and crannies.
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing 25 things to do in Belgium this weekend The weekend has landed, and it’s going to be a big one for art-lovers.
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing 20 things to do in Belgium this weekend Screenings, exhibitions, festivals, talks, concerts and bike polo tournaments. We've got you covered from Thursday through to Sunday.
Music What’s in a name?: Speaking in tongues with PRR! PRR! With a reputation for idiosyncratic, witty and hard-nosed club releases, we sat down with the labels’ founders to ponder what, really, is in a name.
Music Bold is the night part 3: Deep in House on the essence of Brussels’ nightlife (Video) The Brussels party promoter's founders consider the city's unique nightlife essence for the third instalment of our six-part series of videos with Bulldog.
Music Radio Panik, or how radio saved the Belgian underground Thirty years on, we speak to the Radio Panik’s programmer and long-time hosts to find out what, exactly, it is that keeps them from chugging on, day in day out.
Art Studio visits Inside the hectic whirlwind studio of Gijs Milius A telling silhouette of one of the capital's most forward-thinking creators Gijs Milius in his natural habitat.
Neighbourhood life Full circle: re-imagining the meaning of food waste Three promising initiatives currently making innovative, and tasty, use of food waste in Belgium.
Art Portfolio reports “I always liked a good story”: the new mythology of Kasper Bosmans In a candid interview, the young Brussels-based artist discusses making drawing and wood sculptures from a very early age, the importance of context and why success is really such a stupid word.
Neighbourhood life I think we can ride: from simple pleasures to active engagement In part one, we contrast the unmitigated enthusiasm of Pro Vélo’s director with the more subdued realism of an everyday commuter.
Music Bold is the night part 1: Dour’s Mathieu Fonsny on the genesis of Belgian clubbing culture (Video) The first instalment of our six-part series of videos in collaboration with Bulldog sees the Dour organiser discuss the genesis of the country's clubbing culture.
Neighbourhood life The absent narrative: the cultural activists forcing the mainstream to take a good hard look at itself Four cultural rebels each reshaping the cultural debate in their own right, fighting the good fight in their bid to ensure that no one is left out.
Neighbourhood life This is Belgium The people’s idea of fun: 13 folkloric traditions in Belgium The intriguing and sometimes even bizzare traditions and customs from all corners of Belgium, accompanied by archival visuals.
Art Exhibition reviews Five reasons to go to YO! Brussels Hip Hop Generation at Bozar this summer Five essential reasons why this summer's Bozar exhibition dedicated to Brussels' burgeoning hip hop culture is a must for your cultural calendar
Neighbourhood life Pictures of our recent Rebels Release Party at Hunting and Collecting Friendly faces - both familiar and new - at our Rebels Release Party.
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing 11 things to do in Belgium this weekend Belgian design history in Brussels, urban re-imaginations in Ghent, and Sunday fun in Namur.
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing 10 things to do in Belgium this weekend A Chicago house legend in Charleroi, the next generation of innovators in Antwerp, and our Rebels release party in Brussels.
Music Favourite Belgian releases Louis Vogue’s 11 Favourite Belgian Releases Brussels-based DJ and all-round music lover Louis Vogue reveals some of his Favourite Belgian Releases, in light of his set at our upcoming Release Party.
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing 10 things to do in Belgium this weekend Slam poetry in Antwerp, LP release parties in Brussels, bio-pic avant-premieres in Charleroi.
Music “Rien ne sert d’epiloguer”: the life and times of Dominique Lawalrée Composer, musicologist, teacher - national treasure Dominique Lawalrée shares his intimate thoughts and memories from his impressive career spanning over three decades.
Music Thrill-seeking with Brussels’ lyricist Lord Gasmique. Brussels' young, promising lyricist Lord Gasmique reveals his beginnings and inspirations, with some great highlights of his budding career.
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing 10 things to do in Belgium this weekend. Queer power and play in Antwerp, touching photography in Liège, and democratising symposiums in Brussels.
10 things to do in Belgium this weekend Rooftop sunshine in Mons, experimental soundwaves in Antwerp, and stunning Syrian energy in Ghent.
Music Exclusive mixes Exclusive mix 92: &apos All-round tech whizz &apos manufactured this exclusive mix for us, with plenty of nods to his friends.
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing 10 things to do in Belgium this weekend Streaming sessions in Brussels, museum takeovers in Ghent and release parties in Antwerp.
Art The art throwaway project Familiar faces at the opening of Emmanuel Van Der Auwera’s exhibition, now on show at Brussels’ Harlan Levey Projects. The disposable antics of Emmanuel Van Der Auwera's opening night at Brussels-based gallery Harlan Levey Projects.
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing 15 things to do in Belgium this weekend Group shows in Liège, roundtable debates in Antwerp, and MC battles in Brussels.
Music Favourite Belgian releases The 10 favourite Belgian releases of Fire is Gold curator Jon Tyler We're handing out some duo tickets for the festival's first edition this weekend, and to help you navigate its hefty line-up, we asked Fire is Gold's artistic director for his all-time favourites, and names that you shouldn't miss in Vilvoorde this Sunday.
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing 10 things to do in Belgium this weekend Slumber sessions in Brussels, exhibition openings in Antwerp, art book fairs in Ghent and label nights in Liege.
Music Exclusive mixes Exclusive mix 91: DC Salas Brussel's wunderkind DC Salas hand-crafted an exclusive mix for us, full of the finest local sounds.
Art Portfolio reports The limitless world of artist Bert Jacobs Brussels-based Bert Jacobs, Dusangneuf Osangsett 's new resident artist, talks perspectives, space and upcoming plans.
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing 15 things to do in Belgium this weekend Contemporary art marathons in Antwerp, live LP premieres in Brussels, and touching dance operas in Charleroi.
Art Exhibition reviews 10 reasons to head to Independent art fair this weekend With contemporary art crowds flocking to Brussels from all over, we headed over to Independent art fair and came back with a little review of our afternoon spent walking through the venue's many halls.
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing 24 things to do in Belgium this weekend Art marathons in Brussels, spacebubbles in Antwerp and minimal jazz in Ghent.
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing 10 things to do in Belgium this weekend The Outcasts edition release party in Brussels, book launches in Antwerp and experimental electronics in Bruges.
Neighbourhood life The people improving society one project at a time Discussions with some of Belgium's most forward-thinking change-makers, who match their ideals with direct action.
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing 14 things to do in Belgium this weekend Exhibition openings, improv' jazz nights, intimate screenings and the mother of all concerts at Vooruit in Ghent this Sunday.
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing 15 things to do in Belgium this weekend Talks in Brussels, hardcore poetry in Ghent and DIY label nights in Antwerp.
Music The music throwaway project A disposable account of Heartbroken’s last edition Joyful madness at Brussels' Universal Club.
Neighbourhood life This is Belgium 10 striking examples of subway art in Brussels A hand-picked selection to help you freshen up your daily metro travels.
