BxlConnect April 2014

THE CURRENT STATE OF BELGIAN FOOTBALL

DEREK BLYTH’S HIDDEN SECRETS OF BRUSSELS

BRUSSELS’ ABRUPT POPULATION BOOM: FATAL SUCCESS?

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English - Speaking Resources, Contacts, Deals and Offers in Brussels

Art Diving Interview with Mikhail Porollo on Aesthetics & Perfection

April 2014

ART & CULTURE | LEARNING | REAL ESTATE | HEALTH & WELL-BEING | HOTELS & RESTAURANTS | DEALS | OFFERS | SERVICES

CONTENT

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PVP’s Monthly Column Brussels’ Abrupt Population Boom: Fatal Success?

Dear Readers, BxlConnect is a free monthly magazine and useful resource guide for the Expat and English-speaking community in Brussels. It contains articles, news, information, deals and offers. Pick up a copy to get inspiration and ideas about things to do in the city. You can find us at one of our many distribution points throughout the city.

Wishing You A Great Month, The BxlConnect Team

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Art & Culture 6

Art Diving With Denis Maksimov Interview with Mikhail Porollo on Aesthetics & Perfection

Health & Well - Being 15

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X-Pat Makeover

Alison’s Escapes: Belgium’s Top 10 Spring Sights for Garden and Nature Lovers

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Learning 20

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EU Affairs 22

On the Cover

The Current State of Belgian Football

“Koekelberg Basilica - Brussels” by Mikhail Porollo (porollo.com)

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Derek Blyth’s Hidden Secrets of Brussels

Publisher

BxlConnect sprl Rond Point Schuman - 6 - Schumanplein 1040 Etterbeek 26

02-450 00 91 info@bxlconnect.com

Editor

Parlamentarium hosts award winning temporary exhibition “Broken Relationships”

Services 28 30

Interview with Marcel Claes, Chief Executive of the American Chamber of Commerce in Belgium

Jonadav Apelblat jonadav@bxlconnect.com

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News Editor

The Renewable Energy House in Brussels

Martin Banks

Contributing Editors

Derek Blyth, Philippe Van Parijs, Denis Maksimov, Alison-Cornford Matheson, Diana Goss and Bore Kedober

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WW1 Centenary: Brussels will be supporting 130 projects

Placing an Ad

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If you would like to publish a small classified ad, you may do so directly through our website: www.bxlconnect.com

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The Monuments Men and the search for stolen masterpieces during WW2

Housing 37 BxlConnect Calendar 40

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A Day in the Life

PVP’S MONTHLY COLUMN Philippe Van Parijs is a philosopher and a Brusseler. He teaches at the Universities of Louvain, Oxford and Leuven.

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BRUSSELS’ ABRUPT

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Something must have happened in Brussels in 2000, something unpredicted and unpredictable, that abruptly reversed several decennia of demographic decline.

omething must have happened in Brussels in 2000, something unpredicted and unpredictable, that abruptly reversed several decennia of demographic decline. Before venturing some conjectures about what might have done the trick, a brief glance at the past.

at the same level. This was not good: there is no better simple indicator of the bad health of a city than demographic decline.

Brussels was born around the year 1000 with a settlement on the small island of St Gorik (St Géry) in the middle of the (now invisible) river Senne. Ever since then, the population of what became the territory of the nineteen communes of the Brussels-Capital Region has kept growing, with a few more or less protracted regressions owing to wars and plagues. It reached an unprecedented peak in 1968, with about 1,050,000 inhabitants. However, by the time the Brussels-Capital Region was created twenty years later, it was down to about 950.000, owing to a steady exodus of Brusselers to the more remote suburbs in Flanders and Wallonia. It then stabilized for a while and reached the end of the century

In 2000, however, the population of the Brussels Region suddenly started growing again, even twice as fast as the other two regions, and it is still going strong, now approaching 1.200.000 inhabitants, far above its 1968 peak. What is it that happened in 2000 to have such an impact? Was it Brussels’ way of celebrating its 1000 years of existence? Was it the first edition of the Zinneke Parade, a festival organized since then every second year in order to express and celebrate Brussels multi-coloured, multi-cultural identity? Was it the EU Council’s decision, at the Nice summit, to start holding all its regular meetings in Brussels? Was it the subsequent publication of a report spon-

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sored by the President of the European Commission under the bold title “Brussels, Capital of Europe”, an expression carefully avoided until then by EU authorities?

Some of these conjectures contain a grain of truth, which can be identified by looking at Brussels’ sustained demographic growth as the net effect of three phenomena. Firstly, ever since the automobile started becoming a must for any middle class household, there has been a constant net outflow of Belgo-Belges, i.e. people whose parents and grandparents were born Belgians. Thousands of them migrate into Brussels every year from the whole of Belgium, but far more of them migrate out of Brussels into the rest of Belgium, mainly but not only into the two neighbouring provinces of Flemish and Walloon Brabant. Had Brussels been able to count only on

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POPULATION BOOM: FATAL SUCCESS? the Belgo-Belges, its population would have shrunk today to about one third of what it was in the 1960s, countless buildings would be abandoned, and whole neighbourhoods would have degenerated into ghost towns.

This Belgian exodus, however, has been partly offset since its inception and more than compensated since the beginning of this century by a net inflow from abroad, both from outside Europe — mainly Morocco — and from other European countries — with France at the top. This second phenomenon partly offset and next more than compensated the first one, but it also partly caused it: less Belgo-Belges would have moved to the suburbs, had immigration not made many parts of Brussels as multicultural as they have become and all of them more expensive than they would otherwise have been.

This second phenomenon in turn is at the source of a third one: both the ethnic and the age composition of the Brussels population resulting from this immigration pattern led to a surplus of births over deaths significantly higher than in Flanders and Wallonia. This surplus sufficed to stabilize the Brussels population in the last decade of the twentieth century and has been contributing to its growth ever since.

The snapshot outcome of the combination of these three phenomena

is a Brussels population made up of roughly three thirds. One third that keeps shrinking is made up of what’s left of the Belgo-Belges (down from over 90% in the 1960s). Next, a swelling third is made up of Belgian citizens of recent foreign origin, who acquired Belgian citizenship either as a result of being naturalized themselves or as a result of the naturalization of at least one of their ascendants. The bulk of this second third consists of people of non-EU origin, for whom the acquisition of Belgian citizenship, often compatible with keeping their own native citizenship, offers significant practical advantages. For lack of direct data, the exact share between these two categories of Belgian citizens cannot be determined precisely. It can only be approximated using indirect estimation methods. (See Graph 1.) This is not the case for the third third, also swelling, made up of Brusselers without Belgian citizenship. Most of them are EU citizens, with no good practical reason nor any intention to become Belgians.

One direct consequence of the combination of these three phenomena is that the difference between Brussels and its two neighbouring regions has deepened dramatically. Since 1989, when the Brussels region was created, Flanders and Wallonia grew closer to one another demographically: the proportion of foreigners, initially higher in Wallonia than in Flanders

because of a lasting Italian presence, has shrunk in Wallonia while rising in Flanders, and the proportion of Belgians of recent foreign origin has been increasing in both regions, but proportionally more in Flanders than in Wallonia. In both cases, however, the Belgo-Belges remain an overwhelming majority of the population.

(See Graphs 2 and 3.) In the Brussels region, by contrast, they are now a small and shrinking minority.

The fast growth of Brussels’ population is arguably a very good sign.

It is at any rate a sign that the city is doing much better than before 1989, when it became one of Belgium’s three regions. But with the Belgo-Belges reduced to less than a third of the total population, moreover divided between two linguistic communities, it should be clear that the very notion of “integration” of newcomers into the host society must acquire a sense very different from the one it can still realistically have in Flanders and Wallonia. Brussels’ superdiversity will not wither away. It is there to stay. Is it compatible with a thriving economy, with a fair distribution of opportunities, with some degree of social cohesion, with the feeling of forming a community? If not, Brussels’ demographic success is heading for disaster. It is high time to think harder — and all together — about what needs doing to prevent this — and to do it.

PROPORTION OF THE POPULATION OF THE THREE REGIONS THAT CONSISTS OF Belgians of Belgian origin Graph 1: Brussels

Belgians of recent foreign origin Graph 2: Flanders

Non-Belgians Graph 3: Wallonia

Estimates by Jan Hertogen (Non-Profit Data, www.npdata.be)

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Art & Culture

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ART DIVING

Art Diving with Denis Maksimov

Aesthetics & Perfection / April 2014 Welcome to the second edition of BxlConnect section ‘Art Diving’, devoted to art and interdisciplinarity: a composition that is crucial for intellectual reflection and enlightenment. You are, as always, invited to read about art happenings in Brussels.

This month I focus on the problematics of perfection in aesthetics. Perfection is a long time concern for artists and philosophers from all cultures. Is the pursuit of perfection necessary? What dangers can it pose? This topic is central in the interview with Russian photographer Mikhail Porollo.

For any questions, feedback or ideas, please write me via denis@bxlconnect.com.

Have a great April, Denis

// runs from April 4 to May 17 opening vernissage on April 3, 18.00 - 21.00 Tue - Fri, 11 am - 6 pm; Sat, 2 pm - 8 pm @ Rue Blanche, 32, 1060 Brussels Free entrance

WHAT TO SEE? One of the best contemporary art galleries in Brussels opens a new show as a retrospective of its 15 year history. The works of 100 artists, representing ‘inventory’ of the gallery, will be shown during the exhibition period. It is definitely an event that shouldn’t be missed by contemporary art aficionados - the representation of creme-de-lacreme of the curatorial selection of the gallery over a vast period of time. Join for a drink at the opening vernissage on April 3 starting at 18.00 at the gallery.

Brussels

‘Full House’ at Aeroplastics Contemporary

Denis is a creative polymath, political expert and contemporary art critic, working in Brussels, Berlin and Moscow. He was born in Russia and resides most of the time in Brussels.

His website - www. denismaksimov.com

Images: by Denis Maksimov at Aeroplastics Contemporary

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ART DIVING

‘UMWELT’ at Galerie Paris-Beijing

Brussels

// runs from April 10 to June 7 opening vernissage on April 10, starting at 18.00 Tue - Sat, 11 am - 7 pm @ Rue Hotel des Monnaies, 66, 1060 Brussels free entrance Finding a balance between urban and conceptual art is not an easy call, however some artists manage it brilliantly. French artist Rero decodes the different languages of our culture and transposes them in his unique manner to make them more accessible. His antinomic works use the Freudian trick of affirmation through a double negative, positioning them half way between self-censorship and the need to convey a message. The exhibition at the Galerie Paris - Beijing traces the path of the young artist who has now become a major actor on the international scene, especially after his performances at the Centre Pompidou and the Grand Palais in Paris.

You are welcome to pass by the opening vernissage, starting at 18.00 on April 10, in presence of the artist.

Images: courtesy of Galerie Paris-Beijing

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A book between two stools at The Boghossian Foundation

Brussels

// runs from March 1 to September 7 Tue - Sun, 10 am - 6.30 pm @ Villa Empain, Avenue Franklin Roosevelt 67, 1000 Brussels 10 euro for adult, 8 euro for student, 4 euro for below 26 years students on Tue and Wed

A hidden treasure of Brussels, the stunning Villa Empain, is a multifaceted treasure which crowns both art deco architecture heritage and exceptional contemporary art curating. The Foundation has its mission in providing a space for a dialogue between the East and the West via artistic correlations, interrelations and overlaps.

contains and reveals. The chair has referred to symbolic practices ever since humanity became sedentarized.

Historically associated with power, it has acted as a throne since ancient times, though this has not barred it from other uses too. The dialogue between artistic representations of both is a focus of the exhibition.

The current exhibition brings together book and chair art objects. As a supreme cultural object, the book introduces into our thinking and behavior a special relation to time, the body, truth and the world which it

Don’t miss special events and activities during the show, which include art talks, a novel-writing workshop, readings and free book weekend. For more information, please visit www.villaempain.com.

Images: courtesy of The Boghossian Foundation

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images: by Denis Maksimov, check at instagram.com/denismaksimov and follow @denismaksimov

ART DIVING

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ART DIVING INTERVIEW

M I K H A I L

P O R O L L O

IS A RUSSIAN PHOTOGRAPHER LIVING IN BRUSSELS. HE STUDIED PHOTOGRAPHY WHILST LIVING IN SOUTH AFRICA. SINCE THEN, BESIDES THE SOUTH AFRICAN COLLEGE OF PHOTOGRAPHY, HE HAS DONE COURSES AND WORKSHOPS IN RUSSIA, BELGIUM, NAMIBIA AND AT THE LONDON’S CENTRAL SAINT MARTIN’S COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN. HIS PREFERENCE FOR ART PHOTOGRAPHY IS SUPPLEMENTED BY A DEEP INTEREST IN ARCHITECTURE, LANDSCAPE AND PORTRAIT. HE HAS REPEATEDLY BECOME A FINALIST AND WON SEVERAL NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS.

Interview

Mikhail Porollo

on Aesthetics and Perfection HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE “AESTHETICS” AND “BEAUTY”?

ARE THEY STILL RELEVANT? They say that the time of “beautiful” art is gone, left behind hundreds of years ago and we now operate more by conceptual terms, and in artwork the idea itself is more prominent than the visual aspect perfection and aesthetics of it. I think this can be assigned to view has some totalitarian and truth: today we are spoiled by a dictatorship regimes huge variety of operated by a perfectly media, a numadjusted propaganda ber of options to express ourmachine. It has a lot in selves and beaucommon with utopia, which ty has become as we know hasn’t been less visible among everyreached yet or might never thing else. Howbe discovered. ever, I wouldn’t cross out these categories. To me they are highly relevant and will definitely be present in the future. In my work I raise these questions constantly and who knows if I’ll ever find the answer. At the end of the day they are very strong tools,

which art uses for so many different purposes. They do not have to come together: aesthetic doesn’t necessarily mean beautiful and beautiful doesn’t necessarily mean aesthetic.

WHAT DOES ‘PERFECTION OF THE ART WORK’ MEAN? WHAT WOULD BE YOUR CRITERIA? Perfection of the artwork does not necessarily mean that it has to be perfect in the sense of its appearance. It would rather be a piece that has complexity in its simplicity.

In other words an art work which adds more layers of a meaning the more you study it, which stays urgent and gives you something that you didn’t know before. Perfection would probably be a feeling, an emotion, when the artist is in agreement with his creation.

SHOULD ‘PERFECT ARTWORK’ HAVE A PURPOSE: AESTHETIC, SOCIAL OR POLITICAL? A perfect artwork can have one or more purposes or none, which can also be defined as a purpose. It is difficult to tell if it should or should not carry a specific purpose. We could reflect on tendencies or personal taste but it would be limiting to assign a specific purpose to an artwork. But the urge to create, to say something through your work can be enough reason that’s for sure. I vote for freedom of expression.

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ART DIVING INTERVIEW PERFECTION CAN BE ANALYZED AS AN OBSOLETE, UNREACHABLE THING-IN-ITSELF, SPEAKING IN KANTIAN LOGIC. WOULD YOU AGREE WITH THE STATEMENT - ‘PERFECT ARTWORK IS THE ONE THAT GENERATES MEANING WITHOUT ANY CONTEXT’?

It would be difficult to argue with Kant but I’ll try. I would probably argue that a context can make an artwork perfect. Look for example on a series of squares of Malevich,

ed space, strong composition or a clear and striking message. The choice of media, material, finishing, method to present and size of the work – all these elements have to also be taken into consideration.

3 of Mikhail’s works from the ‘Goddesses’ project will be present at the show ‘Chic and Cheap’ in Liege. You can see them everyday from 5 to 19 April, from 13h to 19h at 2, rue Joffre - 4000 Liège (in front of FNAC).

YOUR WORKS ARE VERY ORDERLY. CAN CHAOS ALSO BE PERFECT? Absolutely. Because even chaos can be the most orderly thing. We don’t have to go far. Look for example at Jackson Pollock’s works.

Can it be possible to even imagine more perfect disorder?

WHEN YOU PRESENTED ‘GODDESSES’ FOR THE FIRST TIME, IT TURNED SOME EYEBROWS OF SOME CRITICS. AS I UNDERSTAND, SOMEONE EVEN ACCUSED YOU FOR PROPAGATING AN IMAGE OF ENSLAVED WOMEN. WAS THERE A SPECIFIC MESSAGE THAT YOU WANTED TO COMMUNICATE?

To depict perfection, the symmetry is one of the most powerful tools but not the only one. The most obvious would be to keep to the beaten track: straight lines, evenly distributed space, strong composition or a clear and striking message.

especially on the black square. It is a perfect example of it in my opinion. However, I wouldn’t exclude the possibility that a perfect artwork can function by itself and generate meaning. I would even go further and say that it can create a context around in itself.

IN YOUR PROJECT ‘THE PERFECTION OF FORM’ AND ‘GODDESSES’, SYMMETRY HAS A KEY ROLE. IS PERFECTION RELATED TO A SET OF RULES OR FOLLOWING A PARTICULAR PRINCIPLE, FOR EXAMPLE SYMMETRY? I would say that in the “Perfection of form”, it becomes even more complex and intricate compared to the “Goddesses” project because there the symmetry is not only horizontal but around the centre of the image. To depict perfection, the symmetry is one of the most powerful tools but not the only one. The most obvious would be to keep to the beaten track: straight lines, evenly distribut-

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I always say that we judge based on our background, experience, knowledge and personal preferences. Our opinion, our taste, etc. is strictly subjective. So we all interpret the same work differently and everyone gets his own message out of it, which is one of the greatest things about art. And probably putting “untitled” under an artwork bears more re-sponsibility than giving it a title.

The “Goddesses” project is my reaction to things happening in my life. I was questioning the standards of beauty, our way of seeing it, dealing with it and the way our body changes as we grow and what could be found behind it. I was also interested in the interaction between the artist and the viewer through codes, which the artist gives as a set of rebuses or puzzles to the viewer. Another thing I focused on was changes in the world, specifically the growth of global migration and blend of cultures.

We travel more and we change places and countries more than ever. Having moved to Brussels, I met so many different people originating from all over the world. I wanted to put myself in the centre and become the connecting link between all of them.

AESTHETICIZATION OF ORDER PROVED TO BE QUITE DANGEROUS IN POLITICS. TOTALITARIAN, RUTHLESS AND DEHUMANIZED REGIMES IN THE WORLD’S HISTORY PROVED TO BE THE MOST AESTHETIC. FOR EXAMPLE FASCIST ITALY

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AND GERMANY OR STALINIST USSR. THE IDEA OF POWER - AESTHETICALLY PERFECT, ORDERLY AND SYMMETRIC SEEM TO INSPIRE PEOPLE TO GO FAR BEYOND THE MORAL LIMITS. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE ‘DARK SIDE’ OF PERFECTION AND AESTHETICS? I agree with the fact that the attributes of perfection and aesthetics can be assigned to totalitarian and dictatorship regimes operated by a perfectly adjusted propaganda machine. It has a lot in common with utopia, which as we know hasn’t been reached yet or might never be discovered. Here we can probably detect a fine line between light and darkness. Any extreme is extreme. Let’s say the most striking about it is the order and affectation, which doesn’t exist in nature as we see it: no absolute symmetry can be found in the most perfect flower. That makes us think differently, it changes our mind in a way. Desperation to create the unreachable breaks the brains of many people. It can be dangerous.

is like to have a caring friend who, like an anchor, not only keeps you to the ground when necessary but also guides you to continue your growth. For me personally, I was lucky enough to meet with Lynn Davis when I was still living in Moscow, a great American photographer, and my friend since more than ten years whom I consider my mentor and could probably “blame” for becoming a photographer. I still remember her asking

WHAT CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS INSPIRE YOU? There are so many great artists that I could name. The very first name which comes to The “Goddesses” project mind would probably be Marina is my reaction to things Abramovich. I admire her work. happening in my life. I was She has so much energy and power. What strikes me most is questioning the standards the fact that she has that rare of beauty, our way of seeing gift of ability to access her own it, dealing with it and the endless source of energy and use it in full. She is a pure inspiway our body changes as ration to me. If we talked about we grow and what could be photographers I would definitefound behind it. ly say the “Dusseldorf guys”.

Among them I would pick out Candida Hofer, Andreas Gursky and Thomas Struth. These people simply changed the world of photography of the last few decades. Also, I cannot remain indifferent to the work me about my “blue dream” of my life. She has given me of the Canadian photographer Jeff Wall. Additionally, I so much and still does. must mention the artists from the “Young British ArtWHAT IS YOUR VIEW ON THE ROLE OF THE CURATOR TODAY? ists” group. It is amazing how many great artists stand behind this name.

The curator is like a key to a lock. His role is very important in I do not really want to name all the artists whose art I art and becomes even more important when we talk about respect and am interested in, as the list would be too conceptual art. The way the show was curated determines long. But I must however add the classics of the times success of everything. I would say he/she is a necessity of have are also present and play an important role in my the whole process of showing, presenting, and “opening” art to a viewer. It is amazing how critical the presence of life to this day. a good curatorial work is. A talented curator can turn the IS MENTORING IMPORTANT IN CONTEMPORARY ART? DO whole show upside down and make things work. He can YOU HAVE A MENTOR? completely change the way you see and perceive art, and In my opinion, it is necessary to have a person whom can totally change the whole idea of the show. you can trust and ask for advice. Not only for an emerging artist but also for a more experienced one. It For more information about Mikhail Porollo and his work, please visit his personal website: www.porollo.com

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Health & Well - Being

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DIANA’S X-PAT MAKEOVER Diana Goss is a stylist, image coach and the founder of No Black Styling. She is a fashion expert with a decade of experience working in the business.

If you would like to be the next face of Diana’s X-pat Makeover, or have any questions or comments, please send an e-mail to Diana at: diana@bxlconnect.com

Andra Mertilos Business Intelligence Consultant at Business & Decision, MBA student at KU Leuven, 25 years old, living in Brussels

Suit BCBG Max Azria, leather pumps March 23, lace top Etam, glasses Lolita Lempika, earrings H&M

Sandro dress, Zara necklace.

I

moved to Belgium a few years ago to study. Therefore I first discovered Brussels as a student. I always knew I was going to stay in Belgium and not only for my career, but mainly because of the people. Belgians are not only open-minded, but also open-hearted. I always say that I was born Romanian but I found my home in Belgium. I could therefore not be happier to join the expat community in Belgium as a young professional.

When I am in a nostalgic mood about student life, I go back to Scott’s Café on Rue Montagnes aux Herbes Potageres and O’Reileys close to La Bourse. I had some pretty cozy and memorable nights with live music and dancing in Kafka Café, which is also in the Bourse area. I go to Jardin Botanique to get some air on a sunny day and to have lunch outside

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in a refreshing green oasis in the middle of the city. My favorite place to go out is definitely Place St-Gery which is full of bars and terraces.

I can’t remember ever leaving it without having made at least one friend or acquaintance at the end of the evening. It is the place where I am constantly amazed by how kind and warm Belgian people are.

I have always wanted to find enough courage for a makeover as a challenge for myself to get out of my comfort zone. So when I saw Diana’s Makeover in BxlConnect, I knew I had to go for it. Diana tried looks that I would have never thought of. It’s glamorous and chic, but still within my personality. I loved the job that Diana’s team has done for me. I have definitely gained a certain confidence to experiment further with my looks and my wardrobe.

DVF leather biker, Zara top, Northland skirt, Michael Kors pumps and Mango clutch.

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Photography: Steven Lemmens, (www.stevenlemmens.be) Styling: Diana Goss for No Black Styling (www.noblack.be), Make-up and Hair Styling: Laura Boegborn.

Special thanks to Toni and Guy for the hair color

by Samantha Thomas and haircut by Rady Lukanov.

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ALISON’S ESCAPES

Belgium’s Top Ten Spring Sights for Garden and Nature Lovers

Millions of tourists flock to the Netherlands each spring to take in the beauty of the tulips fields. Most have no idea that further south, Belgium is a garden lover’s paradise. The following list contains ten of my favourite spring garden and nature destinations in Belgium. I hope you find one that inspires you to enjoy Belgium’s natural beauty.

Groot-Bijgaarden Castle and Gardens The Groot-Bijgaarden castle and garden is a must-see for tulip and spring bulb lovers. The grounds of this castle are open to the public for a month each spring.

As well as the stunning castle grounds, there are also indoor displays by local growers. It’s a great, bite-sized alternative to visiting Keukenhof in the Netherlands, with far fewer visitors.

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This year the garden will feature more bulbs than ever, with 400 varieties of tulips, 35 types of hyacinth, 60 varieties of narcissus and 60 other bulb varieties. The ‘Floralia’ festival runs from 4 April until 8 May 2014 Address: Is. Van Beverenstraat, 5 – 1702 Groot-Bijgaarden

The Japanese Garden of Hasselt

Cherry Blossoms in Brussels

Royal Greenhouse at Laeken

Although you wouldn’t expect it, the largest Japanese Garden in Europe is in Belgium. The Japanese Garden of Hasselt is magical in the spring, as its 250 cherry trees burst into bloom. The garden is based on 17thJapanese Garden architecture and was constructed with the help of Hasset’s sister city in Japan, Itami. Hasselt’s Japanese Garden is open from 1 April until 31 October.

If you can’t make it all the way to Hasselt to admire the Japanese Gardens, you can enjoy the cherry blossoms right here in Brussels. Although there are cherry trees in bloom at various locations around the city centre, one of the best places to view them is in Park Leopold, near the European Parliament. There are various spring blooms in this little park, which is also a hop skip and jump from the larger Parc du Cinquantenaire, which is also in full bloom in the spring.

One of the most anticipated spring garden events in Brussels is the opening of the Royal Greenhouses at the Palace in Laeken, Belgium.

The palace is the main residence of the Belgian Royal family and their private grounds are only open to the public for several weeks in the spring. The Greenhouse complex was built between 1874 and 1895 and is 2.5 hectares. The plant collection includes giant palms and ferns from Africa, azaleas, geraniums, orchids and bleeding hearts among many others.

The greenhouses are open from 18 April - 9 May 2014.

Address: Park Leopold, 1040 Brussels

Address: Domaine Royal de Laeken, Avenue du Parc Royal, Brussels

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Address: Gouverneur Verwilghensingel – 3500 Hasselt

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National Botanic Garden of Belgium The National Botanic Garden of Belgium is located just outside of Brussels, in the town of Meise. The garden is 92 hectares and holds 18,000 varieties of plants from magnolias and rhododendrons, to medicinal plants and wild roses. There is also a large glasshouse with tropical and dessert plants, a traditional farmhouse and garden and a garden shop. At the centre of the Botanic Garden sits the picturesque Bouchout Castle. The National Botanic Garden is open year round.

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Address: Domein van Bouchout, Nieuwelaan 38, Meise

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Villers Abbey Belgium is famous for its many Abbeys (where do you think all of that wonderful beer comes from?).

Because the monks were often the area’s physicians, many of them had medicinal gardens. One great example can be seen at the Villers Abbey (abbaye de Villers) in Wallonia. In addition to the garden, there is a working vineyard as well as the ruins of the Abbey, which are stunning to wander and explore. Villers Abbey is open year round but is closed on Tuesdays during the winter.

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Address: Rue de l’Abbaye, 55, B-1495 Villers-la-Ville

Botanical Garden (Kruidtuin) of Leuven Every city needs its green spaces and Leuven’s Botanical Garden is small but lovely. About a 15-minute walk from the Grote Markt, the garden is free to enter and enjoy. It is packed full of clearly labelled flowers, shrubs and plants. There is a small lily pond and shade garden at the back. To the left of the main entrance is a gate in the wall that opens to the newest area of the garden. Here, in addition to a lovely water feature, is a fruit garden complete with beehives and chickens. The Botanical Garden is open year round.

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Address: Kapucijnenvoer 30, 3000 Leuven

Hallerbos Hallerbos is a beech forest near the town of Halle.

Throughout the year, it is a haven for walkers, cyclists and horseback riders. In spring however, the forest erupts into a magical carpet of blue, created by millions of bluebell flowers, covering the forest floor. The peak time for the blooms varies from year to year but should be earlier this year due to the warm winter we’ve enjoyed.

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Address: Near Halle in Flemish Brabant

Shin Kai Tei Japanese Garden

Ronquières Inclined Plane Boat Lift

You’ll be hard pressed to find it in any of the tour9 ism literature, but just off Oostende’s bustling beach promenade is a tiny oasis of tranquillity. In the middle of the Konings Park is a beautiful Japanese Garden, called Shin Kai Tei (Deep Sea Garden). The garden was created in the ‘Kaiyusschiki’ style and includes water features, bamboo, statues and a rock garden. Wander the winding paths or simply relax and enjoy the peace and quiet with your own personal moment of zen. The garden is free to the public but is only open on weekends. It’s well worth tearing yourself away from the beach to enjoy.

I admit a boat-lift may seem like an odd choice for an article on gardens and nature. But you can’t discuss gardens in Belgium without a nod to the country’s agricultural heritage. Farming remains a mainstay in this country and what better place to admire the fields of Belgium than 70 metres in the air. The observation deck at the boat-lift offers panoramic view of the countryside as well as the Brussels-Charleroi canal.

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Address: Ronquières, 7090 Braine-le-Comte

Address: Koningspark - 8400 Ostend

Alison Cornford-Matheson is a Brussels based expat who writes about life, food and travel in Belgium.

Find more of her discoveries and escapes in this diverse and exciting country in her website: cheeseweb.eu

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EU AFFAIRS

Snapshot of current EU Affairs Making a call or sending an email from a mobile phone abroad will cost the same as doing so at home starting from 15 December 2015, under proposals adopted by the Parliament’s industry committee. Before the new rules can enter into force, they will still need to be approved by both the European Parliament and the Council. Since 2007 the EU has been gradually reducing roaming charges.

Health warnings that cover two thirds of cigarette packs and e-cigarettes will be freely sold in stores, following final European Parliament approval of new tobacco products legislation. Already informally agreed with EU health ministers, the rules aim to make tobacco products less attractive to young people. E-cigarettes will be regulated as tobacco products, unless they are presented as having curative or preventative properties, then they are regulated as medicinal products.

Delayed or stranded air passengers will be more likely to win compensation, and airlines will get clear rules on how to deal with passenger complaints, under a draft law voted by MEPs. The draft revised rules requires air carriers to have contact persons at the airport to inform passengers about their rights and complaint procedures, assistance, reimbursement, and re-routing of flights. Passengers could lodge complaints with them, including ones about lost or damaged baggage.

The countdown has started: there are less than two months to go until the first polling stations open for the 2014 European elections. In the second biggest democratic exercise in the world, 400 million people in Europe can cast their vote for a new European Parliament. The 751 MEPs taking up their seats in July will not only set the course of European policies for the next five years but also elect the leader of the EU’s executive body, the European Commission President.

A poll in British tabloid The Sun says 41% of Brits want to leave the EU and 41% want to stay in. The online survey ranked EU institutions as among the lowest “liked” entities and countries, less popular than Russia, but more so than Saudi Arabia, Iran and North Korea. Meanwhile, Germany’s anti-euro party Alternative fuer Deutschland (AfD) adopted a broader program for the EU elections, including support for the direct election of the EU commission president, a ban on “social migration” and the scrapping of the European Central Bank’s bond-buying scheme (OMT).

China has settled a trade dispute with the European Union over Euro-

pean wine exports to China. The wine settlement was announced a day before the start of an 11-day tour of Europe that will take China’s president, Xi Jinping, to both Brussels and Paris.

The Assembly of European Regions has awarded the Regional Innovation Award 2014 to the region of Värmland in Sweden for their promising work in environmentally friendly and health conscious choice of building material in healthcare infrastructure.

Lars Nilsson, property manager for Värmland region, initiated this project already back in 1984 in an effort to begin monitoring and documenting in detail building material that was used by construction companies in healthcare infrastructure projects. He explained to the audience at the AER award ceremony that they “would like that construction uses building material that people will not end up getting sick from”. Hospitals are a particular sensitive environment due to the fragile nature of patients as well as presence of infants and small children. Documenting inputs in detail allows for significant cost savings in case material previously unknown to be harmful ends up having to be replaced.

The European Union has brought forward plans to sign major political and trade agreements with Moldova and Georgia, in a move intended to show solidarity with the two countries most immediately challenged by Russia’s seizure of Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula.

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ARTICLE Martin Banks is a British journalist and has worked in Brussels since 2001.

He covers a wide range of topics from EU affairs to cuisine and sport.

The Current State of Belgian Football

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hey have been hailed as the “new Spain” and, with the World Cup just around the corner, hopes are high that Belgium will finally realize its potential at a major football tournament.

ed at domestic level in Belgium? The answer to the first two questions may only be answered when the World Cup finally kicks off but what is no question is that the success of the Red Devils has not necessarily had the desired effect domestically.

But just how good is the team? Will their stars be ready to perform on the world stage in Brazil this summer? And is the apparent good health of the national team replicat-

Many believe Belgium’s multicultural array of stars can follow in the footsteps of France’s 1998 winning team. Like Les Bleus -- a team which included players of

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African and Caribbean heritage -- Belgium’s class of 2013 also has a cosmopolitan feel. Striker Christian Benteke was born in Kinshasa, Congo, and the likes of Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany and Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku are also both of Congolese heritage.

Then there is Manchester United’s Marouane Fellaini, who along with Tottenham’s Nacer Chadli and 17-year-old starlet Zakaria Bakkali are of Moroccan descent.

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Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen will speak to the press in Flemish, while Zenit St. Petersburg midfielder Axel Witsel, whose father came from the Caribbean island of Martinique, will give his thoughts in French.

Mousa Dembele was born in Belgium after his father moved from Mali -- of which he remains proud. And while the 26-year-old considers himself Belgian, he believes

But, scratch beneath the surface and you will find that all is not so well in the Belgian domestic league. Attendances, already low, are generally down on previous seasons and, of course, Belgian teams made very early exits this season from European club competitions. This, of If Belgium is mostly divided by the Flemcourse, is partly the result of so many of its football stars being ish speakers who live in the north and lured away to play elsewhere in the French-speaking Walloons in the Europe. There is also a feeling south, the nation’s footballers are united that the vast transfer fees paid with one goal - fulfilling expectations for some of these players have this summer of the “golden generation”. not been properly reinvested to develop youth development in the national leagues.

“

”

Bart Van Cutsem, a respected Belgian football pundit, said, “Without reinvestment, the talent stream will eventually dry up. We are already seeing the result of this and it is a cause for real concern. We may be celebrating in the summer but, once the World Cup is over, the harsh reality of a stagnant domestic football scene will soon set in.”

Some are also suggesting that the physical demands of the English Premier League, where so many Belgians now play, will take its toll come Brazil. By the start of this season, there were 12 members of the Belgian squad playing in the Premier League. There have been good and bad times. Benteke is suffering from second season syndrome; teenage striker Lukaku looks exhausted, while Liverpool´s Simon Mignolet has been making uncharacteristic errors. Both Nacer Chadli and Marouane Fellaini have yet to convince in their new establishments and Belgium’s vice-captain Vermaelen has lost his place at Arsenal.

Of the five playing regularly, there’s a concern that Eden Hazard may have peaked too soon especially as he’s now Chelsea’s main man in a team fighting on two fronts.

Kompany and Vertonghen are playing but both have benefited from a long rest. This leaves Moussa Dembélé and Kevin Mirallas as the only ones that have had trouble-free seasons to date.

For now, though, all such concerns are being put on the back burner as the nation gears up for the Rio spectacle. Belgium is, of course, one country and three official languages -- and one dream of winning the World Cup. that the ethnic mix within the team has made his time in the national setup a more enjoyable experience. On the pitch these players have come together to give Belgian football its most exciting generation of players since the team reached the 1986 World Cup semifinal.

The path to today’s array of riches has not been an easy one -- Belgium has failed to qualify for the past five major tournaments and only an extensive overhaul of its playing structure has ensured that the country has not been left behind. Now Belgium is hoping that the culmination of the project will take place in Brazil in July with its group of players one of the most talented in Europe.

If Belgium is mostly divided by the Flemish speakers who live in the north and the French-speaking Walloons in the south, the nation’s footballers are united with one goal - fulfilling expectations this summer of the “golden generation”.

“

On the pitch these players have come together to give Belgian football its most exciting generation of players since the team reached the 1986 World Cup semifinal.

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DEREK BLYTH’S HIDDEN SECRETS OF BRUSSELS Derek Blyth is the former editor in chief of The Bulletin and author of the bestselling The 500 Hidden Secrets of Brussels.

He picks out ten of his favourite hidden secrets every month for BxlConnect.

Laurie and Antoine Cambier arrived in Ixelles in 2013 with an original concept for a sushi bar. They created a warm interior with black walls, pale wood and graphic art. But it’s the food that really sets the place apart.

The young crew work in an open kitchen preparing tasty makis packed with unexpected flavours like mint and coriander. You order at the bar from a list of 35 ingredients including fresh Scottish salmon, shrimps and aubergine. Perfect for a quick bite before heading home.

MAKISU

Rue du Bailli 5, Ixelles 02 640 45 50, www.makisu.be

Valérie Leplat has created a cheerful sandwich shop in a former pharmacy just off the Sablon.

After testing out recipes on her friends, she developed an inspiring range of sandwiches using typical Brussels round bread rolls. You can order fillings like smoked eel or roast beef or shrimps fresh from the North Sea. Rue Joseph Stevens 24, Sablon 02 880 80 98

ABBAYE DE LA CAMBRE

PISTOLET ORIGINAL

The gardens of an ancient Cistercian abbey lie hidden in a leafy hollow below Avenue Louise. Hardly anyone knows about this place, yet it’s a beautiful spot to sit with a book or eat a sandwich. The abbey church is still in use, but the other buildings have been turned into offices for the national cartographical institute or classrooms for La Cambre art academy.

Abbaye de la Cambre, Ixelles

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PTYX You cannot miss this French bookshop near Place Flagey. Designed by the architect firm EDENA, the façade is painted to look like a giant dictionary with author’s biographies in large black letters and portraits of seven writers including Marcel Proust and Virginia Woolf. The texts continue inside the bookshop on the the ceiling while the walls are painted black. This is a serious independent bookshop with an inspiring selection of fiction, photo books and graphic novels. There is a little room for children at the back and a small section of English fiction.

Rue Lesbroussart 39, Ixelles 02 648 03 10, www.librairie-ptyx.be

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NIJINSKY

This den of retro music near the Manneken Pis statue takes you back to the golden age of vinyl records in arty sleeves. The owners have squirrelled away a disparate stock of 1960s rock, moody French chanson, film scores, disco, electro, indie rock and rare stuff you will not find anywhere else. The front of the shop is decorated with stencil art by the French street artist Jef Aerosol.

Rue du Chêne 7, Central Brussels Tel 02 514 54 28, www.arlequin.net

A small door in a side street leads into one of the world’s great film museums. The interior was redesigned in 2009 by the Ghent architects Robbrecht & Daem, creating an airy foyer where you can watch fragments from classic movies on suspended screens or tinker with early movie contraptions, but the main reason to come here is to watch a classic film without the background munch of popcorn.

CINEMATEK

ARLEQUIN

A seductive second hand bookshop with shelves lined with French fiction and boxes overflowing with faded magazines.

It has several little rooms with odd pieces of art and a radio playing French chanson.

Most of the books are in French but there is a room full of English novels including some rare finds.

Rue du Page 15, Ixelles 02 539 20 28

Rue Baron Horta 9, Central Brussels Tel 02 551 19 19, www.cinematek.be

It’s a Sunday morning. It’s raining in Belgium. So what on earth is a parent supposed to do? The people at Bozar have come up with a smart idea. They open up the arts centre to parents and kids for a whole long day of activities based on art and music. This month, they have two events to get your kids stimulated about painting. The first is a day looking at the current exhibition of paintings by Ghent artist Michael Borremans. The second is a day dedicated to the French painter Antoine Watteau when kids will be able to dress up as characters in a rococo painting. The Family Days are run by the brilliantly creative team at Turtlewings kids’ art studio. It all adds up to a wild day out. www.bozar.be

BOZAR FAMILY DAYS NOORDZEE

The cheerful people who run Nordzee fish shop have set up a new fish bar in the European quarter. The concept is the same as in the downtown shop.

They serve up delicious seafood at a long curved metal counter on the street. You choose from the list on the blackboard and give your name. The order is cooked up on the spot using the freshest seafood. Try the calamars à la plancha or a simple bowl of Véronique’s fish soup, washed down with a glass of Chilean white wine.

Rue de Luxembourg 62, European Quarter 02 280 05 00, www.vishandelnoordzee.be

Photo by Alia Papageorgiou

The Brussels artist Lotte Van den Audenaeren has just completed a striking light art installation for the grim Maelbeek tunnel under Rue de la Loi. The work, titled All things will never be all things, is barely visible during the day, but comes alive at night when the words “Forget” and “Remember” are projected onto the walls of the tunnel.

Maelbeek metro entrance, Rue d’Etterbeek European Quarter

MAELBEEK TUNNEL 25

ARTICLE

PARLAMENTARIUM HOSTS AWARD WINNING TEMPORARY EXHIBITION

“BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS”

By Martin Banks

The Parliamentarium also often houses special exhibitions and the latest one

I

promises to be a real treat. It may

Photo by Ana Opalic

t’s become the unsung success sto- appeal to those in particular who tion where we learn about the peory of the EU - Europe's largest parple who make it happen, the Memhave ever had a broken heart or liamentary visitors centre - and its bers of Parliament. A touch screen own an object that won’t let latest exhibition is expected to attract application allows us to find out more even more visitors. about the MEPs. them forget.

Over 750,000 people who are interested in Visitors can also take a virtual trip through how the EU and the European Parliament work Europe, finding out along the way what conhave visited the Parlamentarium since it opened. The tribution the EU has made to each of the Member centre, located opposite the Parliament, allows children States and hear accounts by fellow Europeans of what the and adults alike to discover Europe's history - and how Union means to them The tunnel of voices immerses us the decisions that influence their daily lives are made - in in Europe's multilingual heritage and 3D tactile models a particularly modern and interactive way. allow us to explore the European Parliament in its three

places of work - Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg.

The Parlamentarium opened to the public on 14 October 2011 and has rapidly become one of the top Brussels’ at- The Parliamentarium also often houses special exhibitractions. It is also ranked among the top things to do in tions and the latest one promises to be a real treat. It may Brussels on the "Tripadvisor" travel information site. appeal to those in particular who have ever had a broken

heart or own an object that won’t let them forget.

The visit is accessible in all the of- The exhibition of Broken Relationships opens on 16 June ficial EU languages, with sign lan- and runs until 15 October. This is an expo with a differguage in English, French, German ence because it encourages people to put on display meand Dutch. Admission is free, it is mentoes of broken relationships. open seven days a week and the centre is fully accessible to visitors The exhibits are as random and varied as the reasons with special needs. It also offers a people get together, and break up. Each item is presented role play game in which students with a summary of the dates and locations of the relacan ‘step into’ an MEP's shoes. tionship, and annotations by their donors.

Another attraction is a stun- It is a touring exhibition with its home base located in ning 360-degree digital surround Zagreb. The two people behind The Museum of Broken screen that takes visitors into the Relationships have, in their own way, proved the point. heart of European Parliament ac- After they split up, Olinka Vištica and Dražen Grubišic de-

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Photo by Ana Opalic

on to at least one keepsake to remind us of our oncegrand passions. If so, here’s your chance to give it a perfect new home.”

cided that they would not, as is traditional, treat their relationship as if it were an illness from which they needed to recover.

She added, “We often stage temporary expos with the aim being to try to appeal to people who may not necessarily have a direct interest in the EU. “We try to make these as diverse as possible and this is what we are hoping to achieve with this exhibition. Each of the items often has a very personal story behind it. It has been a great success around the world and we have high expectations for it when it opens here.”

All of the donated objects – and there are expected to be about 2,300 of them - will be on display at Parlamentarium or on-line if the number of donated objects exceeds the available space.

Donations can be made from April 1 until May 18. Anything and everything is accepted but they will be retained by the museum when the expo closes.

You just need to fill in a donation form and The Museum of Broken Relationships which I f you have any then you will receive a confirmation e-mail was launched in Zagreb, encourages diswith further instructions. All donations are keepsakes from cussion and reflection not only on the fraexhibited anonymously and are non-regility of human relationships but also on failed love affairs this turnable. the political, social, and cultural circumcould be just up your stances surrounding the stories being told.

On its travels around Europe, the exhibition street

has featured all types of objects, including As Olinka says, the museum "respects the love tokens from a Venetian glass horse to a audience's capacity for understanding wider prosthetic leg. There was also an American novhistorical and social issues inherent to different cultures and identities and provides a catharsis for do- el based, lot by lot, on an auction catalogue. Among the exhibits, which were donated anonymously, were a Tasnors on a more personal level." er stun gun, teapots and a toy caterpillar. So, if you have

The show has become something of a global phenom- any keepsakes from failed love affairs this could be just enon since it was established eight years ago by Olinka up your street. If you have any questions you can get in and Dražen after their own relationship had ended. It touch with the exhibition organizers on: brokenships@ was shown to the public for the first time in 2006, in Glip- ep.europa.eu totheque Zagreb.

The Parliamentarium is, in fact, In the years that followed, the collection went on a world facing a busy time with another tour, visiting Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germa- upcoming event being an elecny, Macedonia, the Philippines, Serbia, Singapore, Slove- tion night special to mark the nia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the European elections on May 25.

United States. Between 2006 and 2010, the collection was The event will be open to anyone and is free of charge. seen by more than 200,000 visitors.

Along the way, it gathered new items donated by mem- For the 2014 election, according bers of the public; more than 30 objects were donated by to the Lisbon Treaty, the numBerliners alone during the exhibition in that city in ber of MEPs ranges from six for 2007. It is currently in Mexico as Malta, Luxembourg, Cyprus and Estonia to 96 for Germany. Elecpart of the tour. tions, held every five years, are contested by national political About half of the exhibits The exhibits are as at the Parliamentarium parties but once MEPs are electrandom and varied as the will be from the Za- ed, most opt to become part of greb museum while transnational political groups. reasons people get together, the remainder will be and break up. Each item is sourced locally. A Par- The European Council must take the election results into presented with a summary of liamentarium source account when choosing a nominee for the post of Pressaid, “When a love ident of the European Commission, the executive arm the dates and locations of the affair ends, the once of the EU. With the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, relationship, and annotations treasured mementos of the European Parliament has become a powerful co-legby their donors lost romance are often islator and plays a determining role in shaping European consigned to the dustbin or policies - the election night special aims to celebrate the a bonfire. But most of us hold start of a new, five-year term.

Photo by Ana Opalic

They celebrated what was good about it in a show and, more importantly, they remained friends.

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GROUP S

Creation of enterprises Payroll provider Social Fund for the self employed Legal assistance

SELF-EMPLOYMENT AS SECONDARY ACTIVITY IN BELGIUM Self-employment as a secondary activity is an advantageous regime in Belgium, because the worker can combine two types of professional activities. On one hand, he works on salary for an employer, and on the other, he works for himself as a self-employed worker. This means that a worker can only benefit from complementary self-employment if he is under an employment contract with an employer. If the employment contract stops, the worker with complementary self-employment status has the choice between becoming self-employed full time, or ceasing his complementary self-employment activities.

This self-employment as a secondary activity status entails the same formalities as those required to be self-employed: registration with the Trade Registry (Banque-Carrefour des Entreprises - BCE) via a single point of contact, and enrolment with a social protection fund.

If you consider working as self-employed, please contact us for help: Group S - International Division : international@groups.be

www.groups.be

WILL YOU CELEBRATE TAXFREEDOMDAY 速 *

EARLIER THIS YEAR?

TAXPATRIA expatriate tax assistance

www.taxpatria.be ANTWERP OFFICE

Sint-Paulusplaats 2 2000 ANTWERP

BRUSSELS OFFICE Culliganlaan 1B 1831 DIEGEM

29

INTERVIEW

Interview with

Marcel Claes

, Chief Executive of the American Chamber of Commerce in Belgium

By Bore Kedober Marcel Claes has been serving as the Chief Executive of the American Chamber of Commerce in Belgium since 2004. Prior to his time at AmCham Belgium, he worked as country and unit manager at KBC Bank (Brussels and New York) and Bank of America (Belgium and Switzerland) and as a strategic consultant with Cap Gemini Consulting and PA Management Consultants. Holding an MBA from the KU Leuven, Mr. Claes speaks Dutch, English, French and German.

Q. What does AmCham Belgium do?

A. We are a non-profit organization that have been around for 65 years and are dedicated to improving business and investment opportunities for the US-Belgian business community. With approximately 900 US groups operating in Belgium, AmCham plays a pivotal role in an evolving business environment by focusing on three key areas: policy advocacy, knowledge sharing and networking. We are open to all companies from all countries. At the moment 55% of our members are US companies, 30% Belgian and 15% from other countries.

“

In total, US companies in Belgium directly employ about 140,000 people. This accounts for approximately 5% of the total private sector employment in Belgium.

”

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BxlConnect

Throughout the year we hold about 50 networking events to bring the members together. We also do advocacy work with the Belgian government where we share knowledge and best practice advice in order to make the Belgian business environment as competitive as possible. In this respect, we hope that after the upcoming elections, the Belgian government will be willing to take more political risk, lower taxation and reduce administrative complexities and “red tape” in order to attract more US companies to Belgium and retain those that are here already.

Q. Belgium is unique in that so many political institutions are headquarted here. How much of AMCHAM’s work is dedicated to working on a European level compared to with Belgian business opportunities and at a local level?

A. We don’t do that much work on a European level. There is another organization in Brussels which is called AmCham EU and they deal exclusively with the institutions and EU affairs. It was set up 10 years ago and was in fact voted the best trade association in Belgium on EU affairs for the last 3 years.

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However, we of course do some work on EU issues and especially when they affect Belgium. TTIP and the Financial Transaction Tax are perfect examples of this.

Our work includes EU briefings, knowledge sharing with our members and also joint projects with other chambers of commerce.

Q. As CEO of AmCham, what are your day to day tasks?

A. It involves setting AmCham’s strategy together with the board of directors and then executing it. Furthermore, I act as the “external face” of policy work that we do together with the President of AmCham. Operationally, I am heavily involved with membership development and contact with our existing members.

Our members are our most important asset and it is important to note we are 100% funded by our members and don’t receive any subsidies from the government or other political entities. This keeps us neutral and independent.

Q. How many US companies are present in Belgium? How significant is their total activity?

There are 900 different US companies with 1800 affiliate entities in Belgium. A lot of the companies only have one entity and some of the larger have many more (e.g.

Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer etc). In total, US companies in Belgium directly employ about 140,000 people. This accounts for approximately 5% of the total private sector employment in Belgium.

The US is the largest source of foreign direct investment in Belgium. In 2012, 29% of new foreign direct investment projects came from the US. This has a huge impact on Belgian innovation and R&D activities. Bilateral trade between the US and Belgium is very significant. Belgian imports from the US amounted to 21.5 Billion Euro (in 2012). This makes the US the 4th largest source of imports to Belgium. Belgian exports to the US are also very high and amounted to 20.5 billion Euros (in 2012). It makes the US Belgium’s 5th largest export market and the most important one outside of the EU.

Q. Does AmCham also assist Belgian companies interested in doing business in the US? Yes, and increasingly more and more Belgian companies become members of AmCham. We bring together the CEOs of Belgian company members 4-5 times every year for best practice discussions and knowledge sharing.

Q. What usually attracts US companies to Belgium compared to other countries in Europe?

A. There are many reasons. Firstly, the location is strategically significant. It is close to the North Sea with its harbors, which provides an easy access to the rest of Europe and especially the big markets. Additionally, the international institutions, with the EU and NATO, makes Brussels an attractive place for a European headquarter.

Secondly, Belgium is a crossroad of different cultures.

Companies can test their products here efficiently. If they work here, they could be estimated to work in other markets too.

“

Belgium is a crossroad of different cultures. Companies can test their products here efficiently. If they work here, they could be estimated to work in other markets too.

”

Thirdly, Belgium has a strong pool of highly qualified people with strong language and technical skills. However, some concerns have been raised on the entrepreneurial and creativity levels, and that is an area in education which we believe more work should be dedicated to.

Lastly, the quality of life is good here. Belgium is affordable and real estate (both residential and commercial real estate) is relatively cheap compared to other hubs in Europe. This makes land for distribution centers and factories an attractive investment.

Q. What implications will the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) agreement between the EU and the US have on Belgian and US companies interested in doing business together?

A. Well, on a European level, GDP growth is expected to grow by about 0.3 – 0.5 % and this can be crucial for us considering the challenges and sluggish growth that we face in the aftermath of the financial crisis.

However, it is important to note that the TTIP needs to be approved by all European governments. Recently TTIP has been affected by negative and emotional attention surrounding criticism of GMOs (genetically modified organisms) and data privacy issues that has led to misinformed assumptions and conclusions. This has overshadowed the clear benefits that TTIP will bring about. There has also been fears that we will need to give up and relax our regulation standards. However, many forget that the US and the EU has equally high consumer regulations and sometimes even tougher standards.

Overall we will have more attractive and more competitive products as well as more jobs. For Belgium, some industries will see a very direct impact. The Belgian chemical sector for example, which is the 2nd largest in the world, will see a forecasted growth of 9%. The Belgian textile sector will benefit from the scrapping of customs tariffs that now stands at as high as 20% on some products and limits exports.

Finally, the TTIP could also impact developing countries doing business with either the EU or the US and also reinvigorate global trade and inspire other trade deals and facilitate liberalization in other parts of the world.

31

INTERVIEW

I N T E R V I E W

W I T H

KIM VANGUERS

© EREC

SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE RENEWABLE ENERGY HOUSE

T

he Renewable Energy House (REH) is the headquarters of the European Renewable Energy Council (EREC), the hub of renewable energy issues in Brussels and close to the European Institutions (the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council).

The unique house--a structure from the 19th century designed to run on renewable energy sources--fosters

“

collaboration between renewable energy stakeholders and provides information on renewable energy to the public. The Renewable Energy House brings together the big players in the renewable energy market in Europe, which is one of the fastest growing economic sectors with an annual turnover of 70 billion euros.

We talked to Kim Vanguers, Secretary General of the REH, to learn

What was the beginning of the Renewable Energy House?

It was a very ambitious idea developed and implemented so that a building from the 19th century

THE RENEWABLE ENERGY HOUSE BRINGS TOGETHER THE BIG PLAYERS IN THE RENEWABLE ENERGY MARKET IN EUROPE, WHICH IS ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING ECONOMIC SECTORS WITH AN ANNUAL TURNOVER OF 70 BILLION EUROS.

”

32

more about the house: the idea behind it, the logistics of the building, and how both politics and the public have received this unique and innovative space.

BxlConnect

bxlconnect.com

would run only on renewable energy sources.

It’s a striking contrast, this beautiful old building and new energy sources.

Yes, at the time of the (original) construction in 1866 and 1868, the buildings were residential homes for the new upper class of the time; it was very contemporary at that time. In this sense the houses are historical as well, and when you see them today, located in the middle of this European quarter--which is very administrative now and there are few remaining houses in the area--they are a sign of what the area was before.

The vision behind the house was to demonstrate how to implement renewable energies--how you can rely 100 percent on renewables--and specifically to demonstrate how this is possible with an old building. It’s not limited only to new buildings outside of the city, but it’s really possible (in a case like this).

How has the Renewable Energy House been received by the public?

It’s been successful because it’s really attracted all the major actors.

“

It quickly became a hub for renewables; for example, we accommodate an average of more than 1,000 meetings a year on topics related to renewables, so that means more than 10,000 visitors attend meetings each year. It was also developed since the beginning as a showcase to be visited by the public. Visitors are welcome to visit either with an appointment or regularly, one Friday per month.

cluding from other continents. More and more we see the general public and specialized people--such as architects and engineers--coming. It’s very widely perceived as interesting.

Is the building helping to set a precedent for Brussels’ green future?

Yes, we can see that there are a lot of initiatives at the regional level and we are trying to inspire by example.

Our showcase is not only focused on the local audience but wider than that; it’s difficult to assess how we’ve impacted the region but we can say that over the last year we’ve had a lot of delegations from European institutions and there are still a lot of people coming.

It must be an exciting to work in a space so visionary. What is the feel of the building?

Since the creation (of the building) in March 2006 we’ve received more than 22,000 visitors who wanted a guided tour of the technological innovations. It has elicited a huge interest from different audiences, in-

It’s a dynamic environment: quite young with 25 different nationalities working here, and very motivated people. It’s quite a mix of people from different fields, all working for renewables, and there’s quite a synergy and potential for working together--to develop projects and for creation in general.

THE VISION BEHIND THE HOUSE WAS TO DEMONSTRATE HOW TO IMPLEMENT RENEWABLE ENERGIES--HOW YOU CAN RELY 100 PERCENT ON RENEWABLES--AND SPECIFICALLY TO DEMONSTRATE HOW THIS IS POSSIBLE WITH AN OLD BUILDING.

”

33

ARTICLE

WW1 CENTENARY: BRUSSELS WILL BE SUPPORTING 130 PROJECTS

By Martin Banks

as the real enthusiasts among us who will appreciate this immersion in the history of the Great War. Another expo is on Belgian toys from the Great War at Autrique House at 266 Chaussee de Haecht which runs until 19 November and recalls the new ways of making toys Belgian children discovered during the war years. Other events will be unveiled over the coming months.

“Overall, the projects were of a high quality and in the majority of cases conformed to the values set out by the Region, such as education of the very youngest members of society and the evocation of the social evolution which ensued from the conflict,” said Rudi Vervoort.

L

ast October, the Brussels Government launched a call for projects to commemorate the centenary of the First World War. Of the 170 applications, a total of 130 projects will benefit from the Region’s support for a total amount of €2.5 million.

The projects are both small and large, modest or large-scale. Take, for example, the exhibition “14-18 it’s our history” which opened recently at the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces. This exhibition will appeal to both children as well

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Jean-Luc Vanraes, president of the Brussels Region 14-18 steering committee said: “I grew up in Ypres and the ‘Great War’ was an important part of my education. The commemoration is doubly important to me. Firstly, the war brought about an important change in our modern society’s notion of freedom, emancipation and democracy. Secondly, it is the ideal moment to remind primarily the younger generation of the fragility of democracy.” He adds, “We must defend our democratic values amongst young people. The commemoration of the First World War represents a unique and ideal occasion to do so.”

28 June marks the centenary of the shooting of the Hapsburg heir, Archduke Frans Ferdinand, a killing that triggered the start of the conflict.

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Brussels was occupied by the Germans for four years during WW1 (the only capital to have been) but did not suffer any destruction.

A full four-year programme of commemorative events has been drawn up, including on 11 November 2018 a major national event to coincide with the date of the end of the conflict. A mapping show will look at life during the occupation in the summer of 2015 and there is also an online educational site

(www.2014-18brussels.be) where the history of the Great War in Brussels is told in a particularly original way. The overall focus will be on raising people´s awareness and that of young people in particular.

The Great War commemorations are also moving into full swing across the Channel with the new ‘Flanders Fields 1914-2014’ Memorial Garden in London which will be open to the public from May. This is an initiative of The Guards Museum in conjunction with the

WAR “ THE BROUGHT ABOUT

AN IMPORTANT CHANGE IN OUR MODERN SOCIETY’S NOTION OF FREEDOM, EMANCIPATION AND DEMOCRACY. IT IS THE IDEAL MOMENT TO REMIND PRIMARILY THE YOUNGER GENERATION OF THE FRAGILITY OF DEMOCRACY.

”

Flanders House in London, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain.

Located at Wellington Barracks and designed by Bruges-based landscape architect Piet Blanckaert, it offers visiting Belgians a chance to thank the British people for their sacrifice in liberating Belgium. The project involved collecting soil from the Flanders Fields battlefield cemeteries which was taken to London by the Belgian Navy Frigate ‘Louisa Marie’ last November where it was handed over to the British Army.

The soil was taken through London to the garden where it was laid into a circular bed.

Further historic wartime links can be found at Corinthia London, very close to the Memorial Gardens and the city´s political hub. Set in a grand Victorian building and dating back to 1883, the building was commandeered for use as emergency Government offices during both world wars. As part of the €300m conversion process back to a luxury, five-star 306-room hotel, secret tunnels built during WW1 to facilitate below ground access for defense ministers to Whitehall had to be securely filled in.

Recently voted by readers of Travel and Leisure magazine as one of the “Top 100 Best Hotels in the World” it is particularly popular these days because it has the largest standard hotel room size (538 sq.ft) in London and boasts the city´s largest spa (spaciously housed across four floors) and makes a great base for a short stay if visiting the WW1 Gardens nearby.

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REVIEW

THE MONUMENTS MEN AND THE SEARCH FOR STOLEN MASTERPIECES

By Martin Banks DURING WW2

G

eorge Clooney’s latest film The Monuments Men chronicles the efforts of a group tasked with saving many of Europe’s art treasures from destruction during WW2. In the film, Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett, Jean Dujardin and John Goodman search for masterpieces stolen by the Nazis during WWII. Together they start the greatest treasure hunt of the twentieth century.

The film is based on a true story.

The MFAA - the Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives section - was founded by President F.D. Roosevelt.

It became known by the nickname 'The monuments men'. Many of the men were museum directors, curators, art historians, architects and artists. Thanks to them, several art treasures were saved from the devastating war. The movie of the same name is a recognition of the special cultural value of two Belgian cities and their artworks: Gent with 'the Mystic Lamb’ by Jan Van Eyck and Bruges with ‘Madonna and Child’ by Michelangelo.

The ‘Madonna and Child’ was carved in Italy by Michelangelo. The Bruges merchant Alexander Mouscron, who was in Florence at the time, bought

the sculpture and donated it in 1514 to the Church of Our Lady in Bruges. It is the only sculpture by Michelangelo that left Italy during his lifetime. All this time the sculpture was in Bruges until it was stolen for the first time by the French occupier in 1794. On January 3, 1816, after the defeat of Napoleon, the sculpture returned.

On the night of September 6-7, 1944, just a few days before the Liberation,

the sculpture was removed for the second time, now by the German occupier, who wanted to ensure that the marble statue and some paintings which they also removed would not fall in the hands of ‘American Jews' - or so they said. The artworks were taken to Austria by ship across the Netherlands and Germany, where they finally ended up in the salt mine of Altaussee. In 1945, the ‘Monuments Men’ managed to prevent the destruction of the works and, on November 12, 1945, the ‘Madonna and Child’ was brought back to Bruges and returned to its place in the Church of Our Lady where it still stands today.

The altarpiece painted by Jan van Eyck found in Ghent’s Saint Bavo Cathedral, which is also featured in the movie, was stolen by the Nazis in 1940, only to be recovered near Altaussee.

The mine, located about 45 minutes from Salzburg, was Hitler’s chosen location to hide his stolen treasures, which he hoped to display in a museum to be built in Linz, Austria.

Both the sculpture and altarpiece will provide the backdrop for an American movie with a very Belgian connection.

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Housing

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Normandy, France, charming house of 200 sqm: Surrounded by terraces in a beautiful 3500 sqm park, offering a lovely interior, dining room, living room of 65 sqm with fireplace, kitchen with utility rooms and w/c. Upstairs 4 bedrooms, one with en suite bathroom, another bathroom and w/c. Garage and place for 4 cars. Close to all amenities, 5 minutes from the seaside. Price 444.000.

Contact Mr Patrick Waravka +33.2.35.85.79.15 or e-mail p.waravka@yahoo.fr

House for sale Ixelles: 4/5 bedrooms, parking, garden 100 m², bus, shops: Elegant, well-kept and spacious (280m²) art déco 1937 town house with 4/5 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 2 showerrooms, 4 WCs, a garage, two outside parking spots and a 100 m² garden, situated near the ULB, the Bois and the Abbaye de la Cambre, near four bus/tram stops, shops, schools and parks. Ground floor: studio (20m² bedroom plus shower + WC) for family/friends - could be turned into office, surgery, etc. Staircase elegant and large. First floor: sitting room 28m², dining room 26m² and kitchen. Second floor: two bedrooms 24m² and 25m², one with ensuite bathroom. Third floor: two bedrooms 9m² and 10m² plus shower + WC. Parking: garage + two outside parking spots. Landscaped town garden 100m². Renovated in 1983 and again in 2003. Contact: 0471 38 25 96 Address: 12A Ave. Ernestine. Price: €865 000

Woluwé-Saint-Pierre, bright 4 bedrooms villa: Semi detached 1983 villa on 410 m² land. Close to Stockel (metro, airport, schools, shopping centers). In a very quite residential avenue.

4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, big multi purpose room on 2d floor, garage for 2 cars, cellars. Low consumption (triple glazing). Lots of storage. Big terrace (south) and small sunny terrace (west). Beautifull garden. Located avenue de Saint-Exupéry, 3 at Woluwé-Saint-Pierre.

Contact Tel 0478 849702 €725 000 90m² with terrace and garden ROGIER: 90m² + terrace + priv. garden + communnity garden, basement 1 bedroom, large living room, kitchen with island, pantry and bathroom. nice, quiet apartment on Place Rogier, free immediately opportunity to purchase two undergroung parking spaces write or call for the meeting at 0475.631.656, Price is 249 000 Eur

Beautiful 45m2 flat for sale in EU quarter: Nice, quiet flat on the 6th floor at the heart of the EU quarter, located on Square Ambiorix (and facing the back courts). Living room with sleeping corner, well-equipped kitchen, bathroom with washing machine, hall, cupboards, balcony, parquet flooring. Price: 150 000 Eur. If you are interested or have any questions, please contact on: 0474 25 27 23

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HIGH STANDING APARTMENT: High standing and design furnished or unfurnished apartments right in front of EEC building. Exceptional location. Short or long term rental.

From 1250€/month (fiscally deductible). www.charlemagna.eu - Tel: 0476/55.03.91

WOLUWE ST PIERRE - PENTHOUSE 2 BEDROOMS: BRIGHT PENTHOUSE – EXTREMELY QUIET! In a luxury secured building in a small park.In front of Piscine de Woluwé, Hockey Club Orée, Sport City, near Stockel and Montgomery.Penthouse WITHOUT terrace, very bright, with clear sights. In the 7th and last floor, not overlooked, very bright apartment compound of two bedrooms, an equipped separate kitchen, a living room, one toilets separated, a bathroom, a storage. Place on a bicycle and laundry in the building. Possibility of renting a covered and secure parking space, in the basement, for 100€ / month. Elevator up to the 6th floor, there is a floor to be gone up. Charges: provision of125€ / month Visits on appointment 0477/88.02.08. No agencies, thank you! €700

37

Rue Archimède 93b | 1000 Bruxelles | 02 732 88 32 Info@archimede-realestate.be | www.archimede-realestate.be

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ARCHIMEDE REAL ESTATE is a real estate agency located at the heart of the European institutions. We deal primarily with buying, selling and letting of residential properties, and specialize in the European quarter. Our clientele is highly international and includes both investment professionals as well as private individuals.

Woluwe-Saint-Pierre: – Rue de la Cambre 237 – Furnished studio of 45 m² – Nice terrace (south) – 3rd floor – For rent: 650 €

Schaerbeek: – Avenue Paul Deschanel 173 – Apartment of 65 m² – 1 bedroom – 5th floor – Cellar – For sale: 145.000 €

Ixelles: – Avenue du Pesage 127 – Close to Avenue F. Roosevelt – 3 bedrooms apartment of 145 m² – 2nd floor – For sale: 360.000 €

Visit our website to view a list of all our current offers: www.archimede-realestate.be

BRUSSELS

Flat 45m² EU quarter - hall, cupboards, living room with sleeping corner, equiped Kitchen, bathroom, balcony

SAINT-JOSSE

Appartment 50m² - renoved 1 bedroom, hall, equiped kitchen, living room, bathroom, Nice vue on the 13th floor

€ 145.000

€ 1750/month

SCHAERBEEK

Apartment - 100m² - Enjoy a 3 bedroom apartment in a quiet street close to many public transport. Large living room and entirely equipped kitchen, a bathroom (bath and shower), a utility room. A garage. Possibility of renting taxable person!

SCHAERBEEK

House – 200 m² - Nice house with garden. Garage, living, diningroom, kitchen, 2 large bedrooms and one smaller (child, dressing or office), 1 bathroom. A great opportunity!

1350 € /month

flat 35m² - EU quarter - hall, living room, equiped kitchen, bathroom

€ 135.000

SCHAERBEEK

Apartment - 50m² - Fully renovated, ground floor. Entrance hall, totally equipped kitchen, living room with direct access on the private terrace and garden, 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom. Cellar and garage (+ 100€/month). A must!

BRUSSELS

Apartment 75m² , hall, living room (O.F), full equiped kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, balcony

€ 139.000

€ 235,000

SAINT-JOSSE

BRUSSELS

MOLENBEEK

1350€/month

780€/month

BRAINE-L’ALLEUD

LAEKEN

Apartment - 111m² - Living room, full equipped kitchen, 3 bedrooms, terrace (south), Nice view

735 €/month

flat 42 m² - EU quarter, hall, living room with spleeping room corner, equiped kitchen, bathroom

WOLUWE-SAINT-PIERRE

€ 135.000

Furnished duplex - 55m² - avalaible 01/05 - A really confortable place to live next to the European district. Living, fully equipped kitchen, diningroom, bedroom (mezzanine), showerroom. Unique!

Apartment - 90 m² - large and brightful living room with a balcony, fully equipped kitchen, 2 bedrooms and a bathroom.

Cellar and garage included.

To see!

BRUSSELS

Flat - 40m² - Totally furnished flat in the heart of the European district. Living room with a sleeping area separated by a partition wall. Fully equipped and really practical kitchen, bathroom with washmachine. Must see!

700€/month IXELLES

Apartment (european district area), Living room, equiped kitchen, 1 bedroom, bathroom, nice terrace 11m²

€ 189,000

€ 225,000

Loft penthouse - 60 m² - Large living room, fully equipped kitchen, diningroom, 1 bedroom and a bathroom. With a great terrace on the roof! A real opportunity!

899€/month BRUSSELS

Rue des Palais, building 1 duplex 3 bedrooms with garden, 3 apartments 1 bedroom. Profitability 6,1% per year.

€ 395.000

Virtual Tour ERA Do not disturb : visit under way.

Whether you are selling your house or you are looking for a new place to live, our virtual tour allows everyone an exact idea of the property More information on www.era.be

New Ad: ERA PROFIDI Schuman (IPI nr 202982) Rue Archimède, 17 – 1000 Brussels TEL : +32 2 230.24.24 - profidi@era.be Sales – Rent F/U (short and long term)

www.era.be/profidi

BXLCONNECT CALENDAR

THE BXLCONNECT CALENDAR Exhibition: Distant Proximity 13

March

8

to

Brussels Tango Festival 2014

June

10 to 14

Center for Contemporary Art

Place Sainte-Catherine 44 – 1000 Brussels www.centrale-art.be Opening hours: Tuesday until Sunday from 10:30 am to 6 pm Closed on Holidays This project with the paradoxical title “distant proximity” offers the visitors to dive into the time or moment that the work was created. The exhibition revolves around themes of reality, urbanization, memories of the past and of the genesis of the world around us, The works on display are presented as a “scenario” and intertwined within a structure that takes the viewer into a visual, sensory, mental and physical process.

At various locations in Brussels. www.brusselstangofestival.be

Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival 8

to 20

April

Rue Ravenstein 23 - 1000 Brussels www.bifff.net The 32th edition of the BIFF festival promises a schedule filled with exciting science fiction and cult movies. More than 130 films, including nine world premieres are expected to be shown. An additional feature this year includes a focus on India (Indian zombie movies or thrillers) and on Hong Kong cinema.

17 to 20

April

At various locations in Brussels www.hopla-cirk.be

This is the festival of the circus of Brussels.

Artists from all over the world will bring performances both inside and outside circus tents around Brussels and there will activities for all ages. The “festival center” will be Place Sainte-Catherine.

23

April

to

3

May

At various locations in Ixelles and Brussels. www.bsff.be Telephone for information : 02 248 08 72

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The Brussels Tango Festival teaches the moves of tango dancing to everyone. One can dance or watch other tango dancers.

On Saturday 12th between 8-9pm, there will be a free show-concert at the Grand – Place, called La Nuit des Maestros.

Bozar

Circus Festival: Hopla! 2014

Brussels Short Film Festival

April

The Brussels Short Film Festival offers a wide range of short films for a wide audience. There are also special programs and activities for schools (primary and secondary). Locations: Cinema Vendôme (Chaussée de Wavre 18 1050 Ixelles), Little Mercelis Theatre (Rue Mercelis 13 - 1050 Ixelles), Tent on Place Fernand Cocq - 1050 Ixelles, Bozar (Rue Ravenstein 23 1000 Brussels), Flagey (Place Saint-Croix - 1050 Ixelles) and Maison de l’Amérique Latine (Rue du Collège 27 - 1050 Ixelles). Full schedule and tickets can be bought at www.bsff.be

Festival of Performing Arts 2014 23 to 27

April

Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles.

Rue du Chêne 17 - 1000 Brussels www.conservatoire.be Telephone for info : 02 500 87 22

The 8th edition of the festival of the performing arts by students from the ‘Conservatoire royal de Bruxelles en Musique et Arts’. At least 120 actors and 210 musicians will participate this year. Entrance to all performances are free of charge.

bxlconnect.com

The BxlConnect calendar aims to gather and provide as much information as possible about key happenings and interesting things to do in Brussels within the art, drama, sports and social scenes. Below is an extract of some of the exciting events happening this month. For a more comprehensive list, please consult the online calendar on our website, www.bxlconnect. com which we update daily. Have a great month!

The BxlConnect Team

Brussels International Guitar Festival

Art Brussels 2014 25 to 27

April

25 to 29

Brussels Expo - hall 1 & 3

Place de Belgique 1 - 1020 Brussels Prices: 15 Euro www.artbrussels.be Telephone for information : 02 740 10 20

April

Espace Magh.

Rue du Poinçon 17 - 1000 Brussels www.bigfest.be/ This is the third edition of the festival for guitar fans. This year, there will be concerts, master classes, lectures, a Guitarmaker workshop and the Nicolas Alfonso Competition in the agenda. For five days, internationally reputed artists, some making their debut in Belgium, will play their guitars in solo, duo, trio, quartet and ensemble, or together with flute, violin or chamber orchestra. The festival will cater for all kind of styles from Latin, Baroque and Classical to Romantic, Spanish and Modern.

The 32th edition of Art Brussels at the Brussels Expo. This fair is part of Europe’s top contemporary art fairs. Every year over 30.000 professionals, collectors and art lovers from all over Europe participate. Not only established artists but also young and upcoming talent get a chance to show their sculptures, photographs, videos and installations. The doors are open daily from noon to 8 pm.

Exhibition: Artview 25

April

to 30

Sep

Atomium

Square de l’Atomium - 1020 Brussels www.atomium.be Price and reduction : entrance Atomium: 11 euro, students and seniors: 8 euro, 6-11 years: 6 euro, 0-5 years: free

Presented in the context of the Brussels International Art Fair, the purpose of Artview is to get acquainted and connect those who love and collect contemporary art with those who create it. Inside and around the Atomium, different art work will be shown, including pieces by designer and sculptor, Arik Levy.

Balkan Trafik Festival 1

to

4

May

Bozar

Rue Ravenstein 23 - 1000 Brussels www.balkantrafik.com The Eighth edition of the Balkan Trafik Festival. The program includes concerts, movies and parties from southeastern Europe. Workshops and Debates will also take place. On Thursday 1 May at 3 pm a giant “Horo” (traditional dance from the Balkans) will take place at the Grand-Place, as part of the Festival.

Brussels Design Market 26 to 27 Tour & Taxis

April

Avenue du Port 86c - 1000 Brussels www.brusselsdesignmarket.be

The Brussels Design Market, founded in 2002. It is a flea market that is exclusively dedicated to design. There will be pieces from the 50s to the early 80s on display. In total at least one hundred exhibitors from Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy and many other countries will put their furniture and objects up for sale. Schedule: Saturday (2 pm-6 pm): day for professionals, direct sales from the truck (access: 20 euro). Sunday (9:30 am-5 pm): day for the public (admission: 5 euro)

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PORTRAIT

A DAY IN THE LIFE “Environment Committee: This has

been my ‘home’ for the past 15 years, and many political achievements that I have had have started here.

” European Parliament. Meet with colleagues on the fisheries committee to discuss how the Liberal (ALDE) group of MEPs should vote on the Mediterranean bluefin tuna recovery file. There are signs that stocks of this enormously valuable fish are recovering so we are happy.

In my office for a first meeting with lobbyists, this time from a major chemicals company that makes a product that could cut household energy bills by much more than conventional insulation. I’m all ears.

Not only is energy efficiency hugely important but it’s winwin for industry and the environment. We need to develop these opportunities.

Quick walk to the Berlaymont for a European Commission discussion about realising a carbon capture and storage project. CCS is my special subject and I greatly regret that Canada and the USA have overtaken the EU in its development.

Back in the European Parliament, filming a clip about positive EU achievements intended to counter some of the UKIP anti-European myths back in Britain. It will be used at party meetings.

Downstairs to Parliament’s gym for a short but hard interval session on the treadmill. I regularly compete in hill races and over very long distances.

Don’t like a day without serious exercise. There’s a shower in my office, to which I return; it’s helpful because it takes a while to stop sweating.

Back downstairs for a bowl of soup in the canteen.

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Chris Davies has been a UK Liberal Democrat (ALDE) MEP since 1999 Meeting of Parliament’s delegation to the Palestinian legislative council.

Environment Committee: This has been my ‘home’ for the past 15 years, and many political achievements that I have had have started here. Today there is nothing particular on the agenda of interest to me, but I am team leader (coordinator) for the Liberals so sometimes I have to show the flag and make a contribution on subjects about which I know little.

them to do.

Sit down with my two assistants to go through the list of upcoming jobs and research I need

A briefing from Alstom’s Juliette Langlais about the ‘White Rose’ CCS project at Drax power station in the UK. I’m organising a briefing meeting for MEPs Show my face at an industry reception in one of the parliament’s salons. Get talking to the owner of a small manufacturing business in the region I represent, and agree to take up some of the problems he is experiencing with the REACH chemicals legislation.

A buffet dinner with the chief minister of Gibraltar at the home of my colleague Graham Watson.

BMW Brand Store

Brussels

Sheer Driving Pleasure

EXPERIENCE THE MANY FACETS OF THE WORLD OF BMW.

The new BMW Brand Store Brussels, which recently opened its doors in the centre of Brussels, invites you on an inspiring tour of the world of BMW. To celebrate the store opening, we’re organising a temporary exhibition on electric mobility. Furthermore, you can find out all about the highlights of our corporate history stretching back over 90 years, discover the BMW models that have most successfully captured the public’s imagination – including BMW i and BMW M – and explore our many innovations, as well as our extensive range of accessories and Lifestyle products. Finally, to round off your visit in style, sit back and savour a gourmet meal in our very own restaurant Enjoy.

Are you ready for a uniquely immersive BMW experience?

WELCOME TO THE NEW BMW BRAND STORE BRUSSELS. BMW Brand Store Brussels Boulevard de Waterloolaan 23-24 • 1000 Brussels • Tel 02 641 57 11

Environmental information (RD 19/03/04): www.bmw.be

www.bmwbrandstore.be