
Esinam Dogbatse
Multi-instrumentalist (1985)
Describe yourself, your background and what you do today.
I am a musician, mainly a flutist. I also play the keyboard, percussions and I sing for my solo project. Being a musician involves a lot of things, but I love music and it’s my full-time job.
How has Brussels shaped you as an individual as well as your professional activities?
The city is one of my inspirations. I think the place you live in does have an influence on you. My neighbourhood is very quiet and I have really nice neighbours who love music, which is very cool because I feel good and welcome in that street. Plus, I love my typical old house for its charming high sealing and wooden floor; it’s a great environment to be creative when you work at home.
When you cycle you get a different perspective of what is around you.
What do you like the most about Brussels?
- Bruxelles ma belle is a very diverse, rich and mixed city where you can experience different vibes within the same area.
- The moment I love biking the most is very late when everybody is asleep. I used to work as a barmaid in Saint-Géry for many years, so I was always going back home around 5am. At that time you can hear other sounds from the city and birds even start singing.
- When you cycle, of course you have to focus on the road but you get a different perspective of what is around you. You see the city in another way, in a kind of discovery mood.
- I love looking at the sky too, especially the sundown from Botanique, which is very close to my home.
List three deciding factors that converted you to bicycle use.
- It’s eco-friendly.
- It’s faster, you almost feel like you’re flying.
- It’s silent.
List three favourite bike routes in Brussels.
- From my place in Saint-Josse/Sint-Josse to Flagey, because I have good memories along that way. It’s a nice route to ride through the Jardin du Maelbeek and it is flat!
- I like Schaerbeek’s art-nouveau houses in the Ambiorix area. Nice view, nice houses.
- When I go downtown, passing by Botanique by bike is the easiest way to pass by the city centre with the pedestrian.