BxlConnect Summer 2014

THE PRIDE OF BELGIAN FASHION

EU ELECTIONS 2014: RESULTS AND IMPLICATIONS

FOCUS: THE SWEDISH COMMUNITY IN BRUSSELS

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Summer 2014

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Dear Reader,

CONTENT

BxlConnect is a monthly magazine aimed to be an inspirational and useful resource guide for the expat and English-speaking community in Brussels.

In this issue, Belgian philosopher Philippe Van Parijs explores how something as trivial as alphabetical order played a role in the historical course of events that led to Brussels becoming the “Capital of Europe”. Subsequently, Brussels has become a true international hub for world leaders and one of the most important decision making-centers in the world. The cover illustration is dedicated to the G7 meeting that was held in beginning of June.

The EU elections are behind us with the rise of Eurosceptic and right-wing parties as arguably the most noticeable outcome. Martin Banks covers the results and implications.

Denis Maksimov pays tribute to the achievements of Belgian fashion and looks at the collections of a few talented Belgian designers that have created strong global fashion brands with Belgium as a base.

Finally, Brussels is home to over 180 nationalities which makes the city truly diverse and unique. In this issue, we take a look at the Swedish community in Belgium and cover the historical, economic and cultural ties between the two countries.

As always, you can also find interesting articles and interviews with local and international artists, business people and politicians. We wish you a great summer. If you have any suggestions or feedback, we would be happy to hear from you on info@bxlconnect.com

Kind Regards, The BxlConnect Team

On the Cover “Cafe G-7” by Shelley M. Publisher BxlConnect sprl Rond Point Schuman - 6 - Schumanplein 1040 Brussels

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Why did Brussels become the Capital of Europe?

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The 2014 EU Elections: Results and Implications

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Green Brussels: Moving towards Sustainability

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Derek Blyth’s Hidden Secrets of the Belgian Coast

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The Pride of Belgian Fashion

02 234 63 17 info@bxlconnect.com

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Art Diving With Denis Maksimov

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Koert Debeuf: The Arab Spring is a revolution

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Interview with the Rabbi of the European Synagogue

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Brussels - An International Hub for World Leaders

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Community Focus The Swedish Community in Brussels

Editor Jonadav Apelblat (jonadav@bxlconnect.com) News Editor Martin Banks Contributing Editors Derek Blyth, Philippe Van Parijs, Denis Maksimov, Alison Cornford-Matheson and Bore Kedober

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Alison’s Escapes

Summer Days in Belgium

Design and Art Direction Marija Hajster Placing an Ad Please contact us on info@bxlconnect.com or +32 2 234 63 17 for information about advertising opportunities.

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PVP’S MONTHLY COLUMN Philippe Van Parijs is a philosopher and a Brusseler.

He teaches at the Universities of Louvain, Oxford and Leuven.

WHY DID BRUSSELS BECOME THE CAPITAL OF EUROPE ?

BECAUSE BELGIUM STARTS WITH LETTER B !

“It had been decided that the new institutions would be chaired in turn by the ministers of each of the six member states. Which country first? The first one in alphabetical order: Belgium.“

9 May 1950: The French foreign minister Robert Schuman makes his famous declaration calling for Germany, France and other countries to jointly control their coal and steel industries. 18 April 1951: the Treaty of Paris creates the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). August 1952, the new institution, which will gradually expand into what is now the European Union, is supposed to start its work. But where?

To answer this question, the foreign ministers of the six countries involved — Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Italy and the Netherlands — gather in Paris on 23 July 1952. A majority among them express the view that Brussels would be a good choice. But one of them is strongly opposed: Belgium’s foreign minister Paul van Zeeland. “I cannot concede Brussels”, he says, “My government would be overthrown tomorrow.” On 25 July at 3am, after 18 hours of uninterrupted negotiations, Luxembourg emerges as the provisional seat of the first European Commission — the ECSC’s High Authority. As there is no suitable hemicycle for the ECSC’s parliamentary assembly, it is decided that it will meet

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in Strasbourg in the building of the Council of Europe — the root cause of today’s “travelling circus” of the European Parliament between Strasbourg and Brussels.

Why was Belgium’s government so adamantly against Brussels? Because it was unconditionally committed to proposing Liège — which none of the other countries wanted. Why Liège? Liège was then at the core of Belgium’s steel and coal industry. But there was a far more imperious reason. On 12 March 1950, two months before Schuman’s call, a national referendum is organized — the only one that ever took place in the country’s history — about the return to Belgium of king Leopold III, still in exile because of his ambiguous attitude towards Germany during World War II. There turns out to be a majority in favour of his return in all provinces, except the most industrialized ones, Liège and Hainaut, home to the majority of the Walloon population.

The national elections of 4 June 1950 give the Christian-democratic party, strongly supportive of the return of the king, an absolute majority. The one-party govern-

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ment immediately invites the king to return, which he does on 22 July. But riots break out in Wallonia, even calling for the creation of a Walloon republic. On 30 July 1950, the police shoots at demonstrators in a suburb of Liège and kills four of them. Two days later, king Leopold III decides to abdicate. On 16 July 1951, his son Baudouin becomes officially the fifth king of Belgium.

During the ceremony, a deputy from Liège shouts “Vive la République”. He is assassinated one week later. The situation remains tense, the government fears electoral defeat — or worse — in Wallonia. This is why one year later, when the issue of the seat of the ECSC had to be settled, it had to insist on Liège: despite the gentle pressure of other governments, there was no way it could concede Brussels.

Why then did Brussels end up emerging nonetheless?

Because Belgium starts with letter B. Here is the story.

In March 1957, after months of negotiation in Brussels, in the castle of Val Duchesse, a far more ambitious treaty is signed in Rome: the treaty that creates the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Community for Atomic Energy (Euratom). Several cities are candidates for hosting them, including Brussels with a proposal for the Heysel site. But no consensus can be reached, and on 1 January 1958, when the new institutions are supposed to start operating, no decision has yet been taken. The first fonctionnaires have been hired, but they don’t know in which country their offices will be. An emergency meeting takes place in Paris on 6 January but does not manage to overcome the stalemate. Who is in charge of finding a provisional solution? It had been decided that the new institutions would be chaired in turn by the ministers of each

of the six member states, starting with the first one in alphabetical order: Belgium. A few months earlier, Victor Larock had taken over as Belgium’s foreign minister from Paul-Henri Spaak, the mastermind of the Treaty of Rome, who had become NATO’s second secretary general in May 1957. He was the man in the uncomfortable driving seat.

In February 1958, on behalf of the Belgian government, he decides to rent from the insurance company Royale belge (now AXA) an office building in construction on Avenue de la Joyeuse Entrée, next to the Parc du Cinquantenaire, on a location now covered by the seat of the European External Action Services. By the time the presidency moves on from België/Belgique to Deutschland, in the second semester of 1958, the consensus is no greater on the choice of the seat. Moreover, in December 1958, Charles de Gaulle becomes President of the French Republic, and it seems as obvious to him that the seat of the European institutions should be located in what is by far the biggest city of the “petite Europe”, i.e. Paris, as it is obvious to the others that this would be most unwise.

The Belgian government quickly realizes that the uncertainty may last long and that far more office space will be needed. In December 1958, it expresses its interest in acquiring the convent and school of the nuns of Berlaymont, located on the rue de la Loi between the rue Archimède and the boulevard Charlemagne: thanks to the big garden, there would be no need to destroy too many houses in order to make room for a huge office building, that could conceivably be turned into a ministry if European institutions decided to move elsewhere.

Interior façade of the Berlaymont monastery, 1877 7

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PVP’S MONTHLY COLUMN

“Brussels, as we saw, was never chosen as the capital of the EU. It became the capital of the EU by stealth, in stoemelings as the Brussels dialect puts it, essentially because of the inability of the six, then nine, then twelve, then fifteen, then twenty five and now twenty eight member states to decide which city this capital should be.”

In exchange, the government offers the nuns the state domain of Argenteuil (in the commune of Waterloo).

The deal nearly fails, however, because King Baudouin, decides to get married. As a result, his father, the former king Leopold III, is no longer welcome in the palace of Laeken, and the government offers him, and not the nuns, the domain of Argenteuil. The owner of a neighbouring piece of land comes to the rescue, the nuns’ school is built next to the ex-king’s new residence, and to the government’s relief the Berlaymont building plan — for 3000 civil servants and 1600 cars — can go ahead.

From then on, the entrenchment of Brussels as the capital of Europe is just a massive snowball process, with the Berlaymont building operating as a powerful magnet. Even before its completion in 1969, the Charlemagne building grows next to it and hosts first part of the EEC Commission, next the Council of Ministers. In 1967, the High Authority of the ECSC is merged with the Commission of the EEC and moves from Luxembourg to Brussels. Soon these two buildings prove insufficient and more office blocks are built by developers and rented out to the Commission, whose needs keep growing with successive enlargements and the expansion of its powers. After much controversy and hesitation, the Council of Ministers too finds a permanent home along the rue de la Loi, on the location of the rue Juste Lipse, and moves into it in 1995.

buy the complex. In January 1992, the contract is signed.

In September 1993, the European Parliament holds its first plenary session in Brussels. As enlargement proceeds, a growing majority of the members of the European Parliament calls for all regular plenaries to be held in Brussels. Providing adequate compensation is found for Strasbourg, this is bound to happen sooner or later.

Final ingredient: in December 2000, in the corridors of the Nice summit, President Jacques Chirac proposes that from the big 2004 enlargement onwards, instead of being organized in the country of the rotating presidency, the four regular summits of heads of government should be held in Brussels. This marks the end of the myth of the rotating capital. In July 2004, the Commission agrees to have a permanent poster exhibition on the glass fence surrounding the totally renovated Berlaymont under the heading “How Brussels became the capital of the European Union”.

Brussels, as we saw, was never chosen as the capital of the EU. It became the capital of the EU by stealth, in stoemelings as the Brussels dialect puts it, essentially because of the inability of the six, then nine, then twelve, then fifteen, then twenty five and now twenty eight member states to decide which city this capital should be. A trivial random fact — Belgium starting with letter B — thus gave rise, first quite timidly, next with growing confidence, to a massive, irreversible fait accompli.

THE 2014 EU ELECTIONS: ANALYSIS AND GUIDE

In the meanwhile, the European Parliament, officially in Strasbourg, is elected directly for the first time in 1979.

It decides to hold its committee meetings in Brussels, and in 1981 it acquires for this purpose the building on the rue Belliard (currently occupied by the Committee of the Regions and the Economic and Social Committee). In July 1987, a private consortium is allowed to start building a congress centre on the site of an old brewery next to the station of Brussels-Luxembourg. In November 1990, the President of the European Parliament expresses the Parliament’s wish to rent and later

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THE BELGIAN START-UP SCENE - INTERVIEW WITH SVEN DE CLEYN FROM IMINDS

ART DIVING WITH DENIS MAKSIMOV

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E n g l i s h - Sp e a k i n g R e s o u r c e s , C o n t a c t s , D e a l s a n d O f f e r s i n B r u s s e l s

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ART DIVING Denis is Brussels-based creative polymath: the EU-Eurasia political advisor, art & fashion consultant and designer. www.denismaksimov. com

Jonathan Horowitz: Plants, Mirrors, Coke/Pepsi Paintings and More at Xavier Hufkens Gallery // runs until June 21 Open Tuesday to Saturday, 11 am to 6 pm @ Rue St-Georges 6, 1050 Brussels free entrance

WHAT TO SEE? Art Diving with Denis Maksimov Aesthetics & Food / Summer 2014 Welcome to the summer issue of ‘Art Diving’, devoted as usual to art and interdisciplinarity; a composition that is crucial for intellectual reflection and enlightenment.

In the summer issue we will look at the relation between art and food, which is quite peculiar.

Food is essential for our physical survival. Art provides a timeline of human history with which we can progress and move further in our development. Art is therefore the source of survival for our common, or social mind, as well as one’s evolvement. Could artistically prepared, served and consumed food be an ultimate sensation for a person?

Coming from New York City, Jonathan Horowitz (born in 1966) was in the midst of the global capital of consumerism, abstract expressionism and, of course, Pop Art. The show of the artist at Xavier Hufkens gallery pays homage to both contemporary art styles, which had been actively evolving in the Big Apple. Coke and Pepsi cans face each other like soldiers on the battlefield of bloody 20th century dualistic wars. Transformation of the Coke can into a Pepsi can resembles the true shades of grey in the Cold war struggle.

Paintings of Coke and Pepsi advertisement campaigns look like banners or flags of sugary water superpowers. Political analogies are unavoidable.

Self - portraits of the artist in what could be related to Roy Lichtenstein’s style, mixed together with abstractionism, bridges Pop Art-like Pepsi/ Coke contradictions to abstract expressionism in attractive and visually pleasing colour codes.

In just a handful of works, this artist shows a glimpse of the vast and rich historical period of the second half of 20th century in the most cosmopolitan global centre. The show is definitely worth visiting.

For feedback, ideas for projects or offers of collaboration, please contact me on denis@bxlconnect.com Have a Sunny Summer, Denis Images: courtesy of Xavier Hufkens Gallery & Denis Maksimov

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Evidence of Ai Wei Wei at Martin-Gropius-Bau // runs until July 7 Daily 10 am to 8 pm @ Niederkirchnerstraße 7, 10117 Berlin Single ticket € 11 / concessions € 8

One of the biggest ever retrospectives of Ai Wei Wei’s political and social art, this exhibition alone is a good reason to schedule a trip to the German capital this summer.

The main installation consists of hundreds of traditional stools (some of them dating back to the 16th century) which were collected by the assistants of the artist all around China. The immense effect on the spectator demonstrates the scale and size of Chinese villages all around the country, where the poor Chinese peasants are not experiencing any industrial revolutions or technological shifts, and are not acquainted with the consumerism of the rich coastal megalopolises.

Criticism of poor quality during rapid construction works in contemporary China is another subject Ai Wei Wei focuses on. The 2008 Sichuan disaster killed almost 70 000 people, including school children buried under poorly constructed buildings that weren’t resistant to natural disasters. Ai Wei Wei takes it as far as blaming the Chinese regional authorities for developing corruption schemes in the construction industry, which contributed to the destruction.

Another subject dealt with by the artist, has to do with Chinese diplomacy and its role in influencing the maps of Asia. Some argue that the uninhabited Senkaku (Diaoyu in Chinese) islands could potentially lead to pan-Asian conflicts. Ai Wei Wei presents the models of the islands in marble, demonstrating how little the pretext could be for new empires to claim new roles in the region and the world.

Other works of Ai Wei Wei criticizes establishments in the world without particular association to China.

Issues of colonialism, pseudo patriotism, destruction of historically important architecture and monuments are also covered in the exhibition.

‘I, Augustus, Emperor of Rome’ at Grand Palais

Paris

Berlin

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// runs until July 13 Every day (except Tuesdays),10 am to 8 pm, Wednesday - 10 am to 10 pm 3 Avenue du Général Eisenhower, 75008 Paris Single ticket € 14 / concessions € 10

The largest exhibition ever devoted to the life of Augustus is assembled in Grand Palais, commemorating the death of the ‘citizen among citizens’ 2 000 years ago. Collections of sculptures and unique artefacts from all corners of the Roman Empire, commissioned by museums in Italy, France, Germany and private collections are curated in order to present the grandiose image of Julius Caesar successor.

The exhibition is curated from a historical perspective, presenting to viewers the background of Octavian before he became Augustus.

Special attention is paid to the construction of a cult image around the personality of Augustus in all layers of Roman society and all spheres of Roman everyday life. It was an impressive, carefully executed strategy of cementation of Augustus uniqueness that led to the steady rise to a status as the ‘Chosen’ not only by Caesar, but by the Gods themselves.

Employment of art and design to support this strategy had paramount importance and the exhibition delivers a good glimpse of the tactical execution of this strategy.

Genuine influences of art on politics and vice versa can be well researched in the halls of Grand Palais at the Augustus show. In addition to the high educational value, lovers of classical aesthetics of Roman and Greek art will be more than pleased.

Images: by Denis Maksimov at Grand-Palais

Images: by Denis Maksimov at MartinGropius-Bau

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A R

FOLLOW @DENISMAKSIMOV ON INSTAGRAM

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ART DIVING

Aesthetics & Food Interview with Tim Grosvenor and Simona El-Harar, owners of Gallery151 & Kitchen151

by Denis Maksimov Pictures by Mikhail Porollo (www.porollo.com)

Q. Do you think aesthetics is still relevant in contemporary art? Is ‘beauty’ dead, deconstructed and/or reconstructed?

Tim: Well, beauty and aesthetics have been dying and been reborn as long as I have been alive (which gets longer every day). Beauty is of course reconstructed by every generation and indeed needs to be. I know that beauty is a dirty word to many artists, and indeed many galleries, but it is still around even if what we think to be beautiful changes with time. There is however one very important change that has taken place, since the birth of the industrial revolution, and that is that technology may have taken over from art in guiding people’s sense of aesthetics and beauty. Most homes have pieces of technology in them that are more beautiful and aesthetic than the art they have on their walls. It may be that art just can’t

may have taken “ Technology over from art in guiding

people’s sense of aesthetics and beauty. Most homes have pieces of technology in them that are more beautiful and aesthetic than the art they have on their walls.

”

match the beauty of technology and has therefore occupied another space. A lot of this has to do with culture and counter-culture and the pluralist world that we live in. Sub-cultures abound and there is therefore no single definition of an imposed standard of beauty.

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ART DIVING Simona: Well I think beauty is everywhere. It just depends on whether you want to see it. For me, it is the most personal of issues. There is and never has been a truly common sense of beauty. I am a spontaneous person and let my feelings be the judge. I don’t look to others to define beauty on my behalf.

Do you think that there are still boundaries of what can be considered ‘artistic’ in contemporary art? Would you go for artistic anarchy and chaos or incline towards order, categories and new aesthetic norms? Is there a way to find a balance?

Simona: I love chaos and order scares me… so if I had to choose, I would go for no boundaries. But that doesn’t mean that I like everything and accept everything.

Tim: It is increasingly difficult to determine where the boundaries are, which is probably a good thing in a democratic sense. But it does mean that you have to look harder to find where art is honest and where it is fake.

And for a gallery that does matter.

Where does aesthetics intersect with food in your view?

Tim: I probably have a clearer sense of aesthetics in food than I do in art but then I was brought up in a kitchen not a painting studio. In food, the balance between what you see and what you eat is much clearer to me. With art you can be shocked and dislike what you see which is a relevant experience. I don’t know many people who go back to a restaurant where they disliked the food!

Simona: In the throat? [laughs] But seriously, the stomach is a very hard critic. You can eat food that looks beautiful but tastes of nothing. I like food that looks good but is honest about what it is. If I had a choice, I would prefer food to be almost clumsy and taste good compared to food that is dressed up but has no love or

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“ The presentation of food is a

huge part of the aesthetics but just as in art, many times, less is more. The over complicated presentation can kill the food.

The eye and the mouth must feel a sense of balance.

”

passion in it. I am a passionate person and I like my food that way.

Can aesthetic presentation ‘enhance’ the taste of food?

Tim: The presentation of food is a huge part of the aesthetics but just as in art, many times, less is more. The over complicated presentation can kill the food. The eye and the mouth must feel a sense of balance.

“I THINK WE EAT Simona: I think we eat with our eyes. I can’t eat food that lacks colour. And believe me, in Kitchen 151 the colour of the food will shine!

Do you think emotional sensations from art and food can have a common nature?

Tim: Look, art and food are lovers and have been for years. But just because they are lovers does not mean that they are from the same background. They can just share the same bed.

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WITH OUR EYES.” Simona: Sometimes I feel like I want to eat a painting.

But I don’t recommend it… [laughs] You decided to open a restaurant several months after you opened a contemporary art gallery, almost next door. How do you see the connection between these activities? Do they reinforce each other, and if so, in which way?

Tim: I don’t think they necessarily have to reinforce each other but I think that they are very complimentary.

The connection, if you like, is us. We both love food and we love art and we think there are a few others like us around who feel the same way.

Simona: They are closely connected but in Kitchen 151 there will be no art on the walls. It is not an art cafe where art is used to decorate the space. The art will be on the plate in Kitchen 151 and on the walls in Gallery 151.

The food market in the coming decades is expected to be revolutionised in terms of production (we need much more to feed a growing planet), appearance and packaging (more eco-friendly and ergonomic), sources of nutrients (for example, the UN agencies are pushing innovation towards using insects as a source of natural proteins). Should we work as hard to develop aesthetic forms of food presentation?

Tim: Yes. The way we think about food is changing. The post war years were about mass production and the food industry. Many people now see food very differently and are more aware about what they are eating. Europe is not yet ready to eat insects unless you count prawns as ocean insects. But food aesthetics change and what

was once considered delicious (offal/organ meats for instance) becomes unsavoury for a new generation. Food ‘scandals’ can really shift public opinion. One thing that is clear is that the restaurant can be a good place to eat for environmental reasons. If you think about the energy used to prepare food in a restaurant and to heat the place there is often a balance in favour of the restaurant compared to cooking at home. On top of which you have the conviviality! A prefect combination. At Kitchen 151 we are not attempting a food revolution but we do feel that food matters and food made with love is what people want. They can feel when food is made for money, not love. I think people feel the same way about art. So there we have the perfect synergy.

Art and food are lovers “and have been for years.

But just because they are lovers does not mean that they are from the same background. They can just share the same bed.

”

Kitchen 151 opens on 24 June. Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday between 12 noon - 2pm and 6pm - 10pm. For reservations please call 02 512 4929.

Kitchen 151, 145 Chaussée de Wavre, 1050 Ixelles next to Gallery151.

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Campa

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TASTE THE CULTURE

DISCOVER THE REGION

MEET THE PEOPLE

SPEAK THE LANGUAGE

Film, concerts, theatre in the neighborhood

Clubs and Activities for children and adults

Randkrant and local information

Dutch courses, workshops, practice opportunities

www.derand.be Check out our English, French and German pages or pay a visite to our community centres in the Vlaamse Rand ‘de Rand’, Kaasmarkt 75, 1780 Wemmel T. 02 456 97 80 - info@derand.be

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ARTICLE

By Martin Banks

The 2014 EU Elections Results and Implications

T

he success of Eurosceptic parties is certainly the most significant outcome of the European elections. However, results in individual member states paint a rather diverse and confusing picture and highlight that euroscepticism is not successful in all corners of the EU. The anti-EU parties still form a minority and should not prevent the mainstream parties from conducting their business and push through legislation in the new, five-year term which officially starts on 1 July.

As predicted, the most significant development of the elections was the rise of the hardcore eurosceptic

parties. While widely divided, they received altogether 184 seats, counting the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) with 55 seats, the Europe of freedom and democracy (EFD) with 32 seats and non-attached MEPs, who are not allied to any political group, with 97 seats.

Brussels-based FTI Consulting has closely analysed the outcome of the elections at EU level and a spokesman said, "With 184 seats, the eurosceptic groups will have an important say in the legislature. Much will depend on the question whether the strongest parties, the French Front National and the British UKIP, both with 24 seats, will manage to join in a group together with other euroscep-

tic parties. If this is the case they will form the third strongest group."

The new Parliament assembled in Brussels for the first time on 2 June, and will spend the rest of the month negotiating the formation of its political groups – while these will mostly follow the same lines as in the outgoing Parliament. The affiliation of some national delegations is not certain, and for the new eurosceptics MEPs in particular is still much up in the air.

FTI Consulting says MEPs will also use this time to decide who sits on which committees, which is important as these are the engine rooms of the Parliament’s legislative work;

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and they will elect the next Parliament President, a prestigious position which has traditionally been split between the two main political groups (EPP and S&D) for two-and-ahalf year terms.

jority between them in the 751-seat chamber and may club together in the form of a Berlin-style grand coalition to prevent legislative gridlock.

In Italy, the anti-establishment Five Star movement, headed up by former comedian Beppe Grillo came in second place, still far behind the governing party. Grillo’s party has campaigned on taking Italy out of the Euro and giving Italians back their "monetary, economic and cultural sovereignty".

test votes also concerned the EU." From the NGO world, Natalia Alonso, Head of Oxfam’s EU Office, said, “The results raise the question of whether the Europe we have is the Europe we want. As weak turnout and protest votes dominate the headlines, the new Parliamentarians must reconnect with their people. MEPs must speak for their citizens by tackling global challenges, like poverty and climate change, that are affecting Europe too.”

There may be a big political clash over the naming of the new European Commission President: the member states, who have the right of appointment, will make their choice known in the European Council meeting at the end of June. However, the Parliament must also give its approval, and it may reject the Council’s nomination at its vote The far-left Syriza party in Greece cap- “With nearly one in three Europeans in mid-July if it believes that its own italised on the country's dire economic at risk of poverty in the EU by 2025, considerations - and perhaps its own circumstances and high unemploy- addressing injustice and inequality ment to make the call for change. Party should be top priority. With €9.5 triltop candidate, Jeanleader Alexis Tsipras lion hidden in European tax havens, Claude Juncker has said we have a "po- the EU must ensure the super-rich and “There is no doubt been overlooked. litical agenda that multinationals also pay their fair share though that significant There is no doubt cannot be ignored" of taxes, so public services, like health gains for right wing and though that sigin Brussels. and education, stop being squeezed.” eurosceptic political nificant gains for In the Netherlands, “With one in eight people around the parties was easily the right wing and the far-right Partij world still going to bed hungry every eurosceptic politbig story to emerge voor de Vrijheid or night, Oxfam calls on progressive ical parties was from the elections.“ PVV, led by Geert MEPs to come together and reconeasily the big stoWilders, did worse nect policies with people.” ry to emerge from than anticipated coming in third, but the elections. The EU-wide vote saw the vote saw the two top parties only Giving a business perspective, groundbreaking results for Marine Le BUSINESSEUROPE President Emma Pen´s Front National in France and manage some 15 percent.

Marcegaglia said, “The clear majority eurosceptic and anti-immigration In Spain, anti-austerity party Po- of pro-European forces achieved in parties in Denmark and Greece. demos, founded earlier this year, the elections is a mandate and strong In Britain, the result for the UK In- scooped eight percent. Reaction obligation to constructively work together for a better and dependence Party, which advocates to the results came from Brussels-based more competitive Euwithdrawal from the EU, was de“Again, we Centre for European rope to create more scribed as a "political earthquake" by saw a protest Policy Studies (CEPs) growth and more its charismatic leader Nigel Farage. think tank, where a jobs. This is the best vote against In France, the FN took 25 per cent share source said, "Elecway to address the governments and of the vote while UKIP, for the first time, tion debates focus on concerns of those Eularge parties, and won a nationwide poll in Britain. national issues and ropeans who voiced these elections EU issues are only their disenchantment The centre right European People´s brought to public deare still perceived towards the EU. It is Party is again the largest grouping in bate when they are also important to give as a test ahead of the assembly with an estimated 221 relevant for domescredit to the majorilocal and national seats, or 29.4 per cent of the seats tic politics. Again, we ty of Europeans who elections, or with the Socialists the second larg- saw a protest vote expressed their support est with 190 seats, or 25.3 per cent. against governments as a vote of for a better Europe, an The Liberal group took 59 seats, the and large parties, confidence improved EU. EuropeGreens 52 seats and the European and these elections an companies strongly in national United Left/Nordic Green Left (GUE/ are still perceived as believe in the bloc. They governments.

NGL) 45 seats. The rest was taken, as a test ahead of local want to invest in Europe, This year, though, already mentioned, by Eurosceptic and national elecgenerate more growth parties of different shades. the protest votes tions, or as a vote of and more jobs but they also concerned confidence in nationneed a competitive busiThe two big pro-EU blocs, the EPP and al governments. This ness environment to be the EU.” Socialists, can easily muster a mayear, though, the proable to do so.”

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GROUP S

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As from 1 April 2012, there is a right to additional holidays, referred to as “European holidays”.

Conditions to be met to have European holidays 1) beginning or resuming an activity in the service of one or several employers.

2) having provided services during the calendar year.

3) having exhausted the legal holidays as set by the regulations on annual holidays.

Duration of European holidays After an initiation period of 3 months, the duration of holidays is determined by two days per month of services carried out for one or several employers if the employee is occupied in a scheme with a six day work week. In a five days a week work scheme, the employee is entitled 5/6 of 2 days of holidays.

Payment of the European holidays An employee who takes his European holidays receives his normal pay for the holidays taken (simple pécule). There is no double holiday pay (double pécule) applicable to the European holidays.The holiday pay (simple pécule) pertaining to additional holidays is deducted at the time of payment of next year double holiday pay (double pécule). The double holiday pay (double pécule) is paid at the time the employee takes his main holidays or when holiday pay is due as a result of the departure of the employee.

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ARTICLE

Belgian National Election Results

M

eanwhile, yet another political crisis looms in Belgium where the big winners were Flemish nationalists (NVA), with a programme of liberal social-economic reforms, as well as the pursuit of an independent Flanders. NVA becomes the country’s largest political party and has increased its presence in the European Parliament from one to four seats. This victory comes at the expense of the ‘traditional’ political parties: the Flemish Christian Democrats have lost one seat, down from three to two, and the Flemish socialists have also lost, down from two to one. The status quo was maintained for the Flemish Liberals of Guy Verhofstadt, who have retained their three seats, as well as for the Flemish Greens, who keep their one. It is notable that NVA has yet to decide

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which European Group it will sit in.

In the last Parliament mandate, they were members of the Greens/EFA group (which includes some nationalist/regionalist parties), but internal disagreements have resulted in group changes.

The expectation is that NVA could move to the eurosceptic ECR group.

However, the most dramatic outcome of the Belgian election, especially at national level, is the quasi wipe-out of Flemish extreme-right (Vlaams Belang) after 23 years of strong presence in the political landscape.

In the French-speaking part of Belgium, the power-shift has been quite limited. The liberals have gained one seat, moving to three, at the expense of the Greens who have dropped down to one seat. The socialists

have retained their three seats and the Christian Democrats have stuck to their one.

As FTI Consulting points out, Belgium holds the dubious world record of the longest time taken to form a national government, which took 531 days after the last national election. "While all parties are committed not to repeat this fiasco in the months to come, a new political crisis looms", said a spokesman.

The Flemish nationalists (the largest party in Flanders) and the French-speaking socialists (the largest party in Wallonia) are diametrically opposed on all social, economic, and institutional issues.

This is likely to lead to complex discussions at least in the months to come.

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21

INTERVIEW

FROM POLITICAL ADVISER IN BRUSSELS TO ACTIVIST BLOGGER IN CAIRO

Koert Debeuf:

The Arab Spring is a revolution In June 2011 Koert Debeuf made a crucial decision in his life. He left his comfort zone in Brussels and moved with his wife and two daughters to Cairo where the events of the Arab Spring were taking place in a rapid pace. In April this year Koert visited Brussels to launch his new book “Inside the Arab Revolution: Three Years on the Front Line of the Arab Spring”. BxlConnect met with Kurt to learn more about his experiences and what made him leave Brussels for Cairo.

B

ehind him Koert left Belgian and European politics. After finishing university studies in ancient history, he had become active in local and national politics in Belgium. In Brussels he was political adviser to former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt and head of his cabinet when the latter became MEP and chairman of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE).

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“

It’s strange that Europe doesn’t have a clue about what is going in the Arab countries even though they are so close to our continent.

”

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In Cairo, Koert works as a representative of ALDE in promoting contacts between Egypt and the European Parliament. But his personal mission is to report and comment on the Arab Spring and to dispel any mutual misunderstandings between Europe and the Arab world.

What made him embark on such a mission?

“Before I arrived in Cairo I had been in Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. It struck me then that we Europeans don’t know very much about the history and religion of the Arab countries. I myself, although I’m a historian, felt that I didn’t know enough. Most people have a perception of Islam as a harsh religion. However, when I visited the Umayyad mosque in Damascus I felt very much relaxed, seeing children playing around there.

It’s strange that Europe doesn’t have a clue about what is going in the Arab countries even though they are so close to our continent. There weren’t many people who saw the Arab Spring, or, as I prefer to call it, the Arab revolution coming. The purpose of my stay in Cairo is to serve as a kind of bridge to the European Parliament and here I think that my European identity and Belgian experience is useful.”

Koert brought his family to what he describes as an unpredictable adventure but the move to Cairo was relatively easy for them. “We used to live in Leuven although I spent more time in Brussels because of my work. I’m very grateful to my family that they agreed to join me. It might look more adventurous than it is in reality.”

“My daughters who were 11 and 14 when we arrived here started to attend a French school”, Koert says. “The biggest change for them was the move from a Flemish school to a French school. Very quickly they made new friends at their school and became integrated. My wife teaches French at the American school in Cairo and is active in the French-speaking community here. Most of the friends of my wife and children are local Egyptians from their schools. We feel safe here. People are openminded. It’s a great opportunity for the whole family to learn to know another culture.”

Once in Cairo, Koert established a network of political activists, mainly with the help of Twitter which is much more used in Egypt than in Belgium. “Social media like Twitter and Facebook play an immensely important role in Egypt, both social and political. You come into contact with people via Twitter, meet them for a coffee and join them at meetings.”

Judging from Twitter statistics, he is very active. He tweets on average 9 times per day and has about 6 000 followers, of which 60 % are from Egypt. He writes regularly a blog at blogs.euobserver.com/debeuf and his articles are quoted by international media. The articles have got high visibility in Egypt and are translated into Arabic.

“It took France 80 years from revolution to a stable democracy.

Stop thinking the revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya have already failed.”

Koert explains that it started spontaneously with one of his articles being translated from Dutch into Arabic.

From Arabic it was then translated into English. Now his articles are known on websites in Arabic and shared by thousands of people on Facebook. He didn’t want to be seen as a foreigner giving unsolicited advice to the Egyptians so he is using the phrase “an outsider’s perspective”. Did it really help?

“Yes, it did. Europeans can be arrogant and give advice whether or not people ask for it. But people here don’t like that we tell them what to do. You need to be humble, to listen and ask questions. Then they might appreciate your comments and proposals. Everything what I have written in my articles is based on my talks with local people. Sometimes you feel frustrated about the situation and the least you can do is to publish your opinions. That said, my main task is not to influence Egyptian politics but to inform ALDE and via them the rest of the European Parliament and EU in general about the events in Egypt and other Arab countries.”

Koert writes in his book that some articles can be seen as slightly outdated now. Some of his predictions might have turned out to be wrong although he seems to have been right about the overall development in Egypt. But he declines to summarize any scoreboard. “I’m not sure that the articles include predictions. My reporting, as summarized in the book, should be seen as a time document. I happened to be here in the center of events as they were unfolding and could report directly.”

His purpose was not to make research or to prove any hypothesis. “If I have any theory about the Arab revolution it’s found in the introductory chapter of the book. There I have tried to state how I now understand the Arab Revolution. Right now a battle is going on in Egypt and I have no doubt that it one day will end in democracy.”

“There have been setbacks as in all revolutions, not the least in Europe. We tend to forget all the wars fought in Europe. The transition from fascism or communism to democracy in Southern and Eastern Europe, followed by membership in the EU, was a revolution but it didn’t happen smoothly and there are still setbacks in some countries. I think that what we should recognize is that a fundamental change process is going on in the Arab world. It would be unfair to judge it after only a few

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INTERVIEW years. It may take many years. But it’s a real revolution which has been set in force. For me it’s not a matter of optimism or pessimism but about facts.”

“I just came out from Syria. The humanitarian situation is the worst possible. No aid coming in. The camps are a shame for the entire world.”

Koert describes the Arab Spring as a revolution and compares it with the French revolution and other revolutions. But besides that the dictators in some Arab countries have been overthrown, killed or forced to leave, there hasn’t yet been much political, social and economic change and surely no democratic reform in any country. In Syria the dictator is still clinging to power and destroying his own country.

The only exception seems to be Tunisia where a new progressive constitution was adopted in January 2014, based on a compromise between the Islamist party and the opposition. How do you explain that?

“There are two reasons why Tunisia compares favorably to the other Arab countries. First, the education level in Tunisia is higher. Second, there is a less tendency for populism in Tunisia. The Islamist party in Tunisia realized that it would never gain any majority in elections so it decided to cooperate with the liberal or secular parties.

What happened to President Muhammad Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt was taken as a warning.”

“The 1923 Constitution of Egypt was written in consensus by 6 Muslims, 5 Christians and 1 Jew. No further comments needed.”

A former Jordanian minister, Marwan Muasher, wrote recently in International New York Times about the sectarian and artificial character of Arab countries. The Sunni – Shiite divide is most glaring in those countries which were shaped by the colonial powers after WWI and where different communities were lumped together.

In Egypt there is a significant Coptic minority. How is it possible to form a sense of citizenship and national identity in these countries, especially after civil wars where war crimes and crimes against humanity are committed?

Koert doesn’t agree with him. “I think that the SunniShiite divide to a large extent is something artificial which is provoked and exploited by dictators and undemocratic rulers. It’s more about politics than religion. The divide is fueled by the power struggle between Shiite Iran and Sunni Saudi-Arabia. Sunni leaders or movements are supported by Iran if it serves their interest. Historically Sunni and Shiite communities have lived peacefully side by side. Egypt is dominantly Sunni today but the famous Al Azhar university in Cairo, perhaps the oldest one in the world, was founded by Shia Fatimid rulers. Today the university is the main institution for Sunni Islam wordwide.”

Our last question to Koert is about Guy Verhofstadt’s foreword to his book. Verhofstadt is critical against EU’s handling of the Arab Spring, both as regards its failure to foresee it and its response to it. As a vision for the future he proposes a “Mediterranean Community” between EU and the countries around the South-East of the Mediterranean Sea. How would such a community differ from the present Union of the Mediterranean and the European Neighborhood Policy?

“I would say that he proposes something different,” Koert replies. “Today EU is perceived as arrogant and not treating the Arab countries on equal terms. EU’s support to them is fragmented and mainly bilateral. Verhofstadt’s idea is to turn things around and to establish a framework of cooperation where we’ll also learn from the Arab countries. “ “Inshallah”, Koert concludes the interview.

“In Egypt the Muslim Brotherhood didn’t change course and lost outside support. I have described their attempt to rush through a new constitution as a mini-coup.

Morsi’s presidency lasted only one year. The tragedy of the Muslim Brotherhood was that it had no clear idea, despite all years in preparation for the moment, what to do once it came into power. Even the other Islamist party in Egypt, the Salafist Al-Nour party, which attracted many votes in the elections and participated in Morsi’s government, was more pragmatic than the Muslim Brotherhood. Al-Nour might have radical religious views but it doesn’t try to impose them on the rest of the population.”

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25

ARTICLE

Green Brussels

By Martin Banks

It’s a little known fact, maybe, but half of the land in the Brussels Capital Region is covered with green spaces

I

t’s a little known fact, maybe, but half of the land in the Brussels Capital Region is covered with green spaces: forests, woods, public and private parks and gardens, sports grounds, recreation grounds and agricultural areas. Brussels was even a candidate for the coveted title of European Green Capital 2015 though it eventually lost out to Bristol in the UK. But, sadly, Brussels is also known among the 1 million inhabitants for its pollution, disfiguring graffiti and a particularly high population density. For several years, Brussels has however been involved in a large number of activities aimed at meeting such environmental challenges.

The aim? For Brussels to become a model in the coming years for sustainable development. This includes

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reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2025, thus exceeding the EU objective of a 20 per cent reduction by 2020.

As in many urban areas, the main sources of pollution are the transport and building sectors. But owing to Brussels geographic position, air pollution is also strongly influenced by external sources. In addition, more than 300,000 vehicles enter Brussels every day from the country’s other two linguistic regions.

Even so, for many years, Brussels has been taking real action to reduce the negative effects of urban activity on its inhabitants’ health and quality of life. Besides extensive information and prevention campaigns, it has enacted multiple stringent regulations in all

domains affecting its inhabitants’ quality of life.

One of the biggest successful green-related stories is the Villo!, the bike sharing system that was introduced in Brussels in 2009 and which has just reached the landmark figure of 5 million rides.

The scheme started on 16 May 2009 and, five years later, has over 32,000 members. At the end of this year, Villo! will boast a total of 5,000 bicycles in 360 different bike stations spread over the 19 Brussels municipalities.

Brussels State Secretary for Mobility Bruno De Lille, of the Flemish Green party Groen, said, “Villo has been a great success. For many, it's a practical and fast way of going from point A to point B in a city that all too of-

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ten suffers from traffic congestion.”

But Brussels is not resting on its laurels and is constantly looking at innovative new ways of securing its position as one of Europe’s ‘go ahead’ cities when it comes to embracing environmental-friendly policies. Take, for instance, a planned new hydro-electric installation, which will be a first for the city. This aims to generate sustainable energy on the River Zenne, near Drogenbos, just outside Brussels. If the results are positive, there will be more to come, although for that to happen, more government financial support will be required.

The Brussels Region has also taken a new electronic system into use to manage traffic lights. These will be controlled by computers, as they are in Ghent, and at busy intersections, lights will work in sequence to ensure a smooth flow of traffic, often a bane in the life of motorists in Brussels.

Elsewhere, there are yet more green-friendly measures being pioneered, including one by Environment Brussels which recently published an interactive map of the city that allows the user to identify areas which are polluted and which sites may possibly be polluted. Colour is used to identify sites that may be polluted, those that are heavily polluted and sites that are currently being cleaned up. It will be incumbent on owners to produce evidence to show that their property is not polluted. Each property that fails to satisfy the environment agency with the necessary documentary evidence that it is not polluted may be identified as 'possibly polluted'.

The map also provides information on mobile phone masts and green playing areas.

In yet another attempt to make Brussels a greener city, the Flemish government plans to create extra lanes for the northern part of the Brussels Orbital Road, between the intersections with the E19 and the E40 motorway in Groot-Bijgaarden. “This should, at least partly, solve the endless problems of traffic congestion

and long waiting times around the capital,” said a government source.

Meanwhile, Brussels recently also announced plans for a green business park and a sustainable housing project. This has received €9m in subsidies from the European Regional Development Fund while the Brussels Capital Region is pitching in €3m. Buildings in the business park will have solar panels, efficient insulation, an innovative night cooling system and green roofs.

For several years, Brussels has however been involved in a large number of activities aimed at meeting such environmental challenges. The aim?

For Brussels to become a model in the coming years for sustainable development.

And that’s not all. The public transport company MIVB has even been asked to replace the grey stones between trams rails with grass. An MIVB source said, “It is all part of a plan for a greener Brussels.”

Region has commissioned a study to find out how high the daily price of a toll to travel on the capital’s roads would need to be in order to reduce traffic and consequently pollution from motor vehicle exhausts. That study together with a second study on road toll charging will be considered by the Brussels Regional Parliament, the capital’s 19 municipal authorities and groups representing economic interests before the Brussels Regional Government make a decision.

Some have suggested a figure of 12 euros a day but Bruno De Lille has ruled out a daily toll charge of more than 6 euros. He said, "The toll levels proposed would have the same effect as firing a cannon to shoot a mosquito. We don’t need to impose such high tolls to achieve our transport goals in Brussels. Don’t forget that the number of car journeys is already down by 7%”.

Els Ampe, the Brussels City Alderwoman responsible for transport, has also already said that a 12 euro/ day toll is "unacceptable" for her party. "Making people pay 12 euro a day to use to our country’s economic centre is downright antisocial”, said Ampe, who is the Flemish Liberals’ group leader in the Brussels Region Parliament. Instead, she favours a big expansion of the Brussels metro.

Whatever the outcome, there can be no doubt that the various authorities in Brussels are doing their bit to make the city the green, as well as EU, capital of Europe. Many of the city´s environmental aims were underlined when it signed the Covenant of Mayors for the Climate back in 2009 and details are available at www.sustainablecity.be.

Some years ago London introduced what at the time was a highly controversial congestion charge on traffic entering the city as part of plans to “green up’ the UK capital. It has proved a big hit. There has been recent speculation that Brussels will follow suit and the Brussels-Capital

The overall message is reinforced by the environment minister, Evelyne Huytebroeck, who says, "Our ambition is to create a sustainable city so that respect for the environment contributes to the human and social development of Brussels and the ‘joie de vivre’ of its residents." Most of us would agree with that.

27

INTERVIEW

Interview with

Rabbi Rosenblum,

Director of the European synagogue in Brussels

By Bore Kedober Rabbi Michoel Rosenblum is the rabbi and director of the European synagogue in the EU district in Brussels. He arrived from New York about 10 years ago and is responsible for the activities at the synagogue. The synagogue attracts both locals and expats and is open for all, Jews and non-Jews alike. Services are held in Hebrew with explanations in English.

After the shooting at the Jewish museum in Brussels in May, BxlConnect decided to meet with Michoel to ask him about his thoughts.

Q: What was your first reaction when you heard about the shooting in the Jewish museum on the 24th of May?

“Dressed as I am and walking by the streets of Brussels, I’m constantly reminded of being a Jew, not necessarily in a positive way unfortunately.”

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I was horrified. As responsible for a synagogue and of various Jewish organizations, I quickly had to go into security mode as well.

I couldn’t help but think about what’s going on in Belgium and in Europe in general.

Not long ago we had a Belgian politician who arranged a mass rally

with anti-Jewish speakers in Anderlecht. There is a lot of hate speech sipping through the media, under the pretext of free speech. We have to be cautious and responsible in academia and politics about this. Especially during these times with the rise of the extreme right, things can spin out of control very quickly.

Q: Have you noticed any increase in hate speech and anti-Semitism over the years?

My experience here has been a great one for most part.

Brussels is very diverse with many cultures and people from all over the world. As part of my work, I’ve had the opportunity to meet lots of great people. But dressed as I am and walking by the streets of Brussels, I’m constantly reminded of being a Jew, not necessarily in a positive way unfortunately. In the US it’s much easier to forget one’s identity and just blend in.

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As far as comments goes, it has become a bit worse. For example, when I was walking home on Sunday after the solidarity event at the museum, just a day after the shooting, some Belgian teenagers passed by and one of them said “Auschwitz” to me. I was emotionally drained at the time and didn’t bother responding. I feel sorry for that child and wish I would have had the opportunity to sit down with her face to face, with more time on hand.

She is obviously very ignorant.

Overall, anti-Semitism seems to be on a rise, often under the disguise of anti-Israeli criticism. No one agrees on politics, but to decide to hate, or even to kill innocent people, is terribly wrong and has no justification whatsoever.

On the other hand, there is also a lot of positive in the world that has not been seen before. Restaurants are giving food to the poor. Military is being used to assist in natural disasters and hunger situations. People volunteer in organizations and for one another.

“The only way to dispel darkness is through light.”

Q. What is the goal and purpose of the European synagogue?

The European synagogue is open to everyone from all over the world. We want to stimulate Jewish life, culture and religion to people who may have not been exposed to it growing up. Whether someone who is travelling gets stuck in Brussels on a Friday evening, or if you want to pop in for a quick prayer, we have an open door policy to everyone.

Our goal is to continue to do more and more, and get the word out to as many people as possible. In light of the recent events, there is only one answer.

To add more activity, light and reach out to as many people as possible. The only way to dispel darkness is through light.

Q: The synagogue is close to the European institutions and you see many people come and go. What are your reflections on being based literally in the heart of Europe?

pires come and go over the centuries but the commandments are forever. They are a pillar that one can always lean on and European values are built and inspired by this heritage.

Q. As a rabbi, what would you advise us to do now?

As EU citizens, regardless of nationality or creed, every individual should constantly ask himself or herself what we do and where we are going. On one hand, technologically, everything is moving faster and faster. But are we going forward or backwards?

What do we need to do in order to move forward? As long as we ask and answer that question every day, there is no doubt that the world will be a better place.

Remaining indifferent is the greatest risk, and is as guilty as being involved in negative acts. So speak up against what is negative, and engage yourselves in positive deeds. We can’t just let things slide by and walk away.

No doubt, we are in a very special district. It is a privilege to be here, and we hope that we can be a positive influence.

Finally, I challenge every European. Do not underestimate your smile. It is contagious. Try it!

Whether it is an EU summit or a G7 meeting taking place just a couple of meters away, the 10 commandments were read for the 3 326th time this year over the Jewish holiday of Shavout. Laws, institutions, countries and em-

For further info about the European synagogue, feel free to contact info@theshul.eu

“The 10 commandments were read for the 3 326th time this year over the Jewish holiday of Shavout.

Laws, institutions, countries and empires come and go over the centuries but the commandments are forever. They are a pillar that one can always lean on and European values are built and inspired by this heritage.”

29

DEREK BLYTH’S HIDDEN SECRETS 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.

10 Hidden Secrets of the Belgian Coast

photo (©)Westtoer

OESTERPUT

GALERIE BEAU SITE

No booking. Nothing fancy. Just perfect seafood.

The Devriendt family runs a huge wooden restaurant on the quayside that looks like a New England clam shack. It is very basic, but they serve some of the best seafood on the coast, including mussels fresh from Zeeland, dripping wet oysters and little whelks that have to be extracted from their shell with a pin.

Count on €22 for a big pot of mussels and frites.

This is a cool spot on the Ostend promenade with a grand Art Deco interior on two floors and sweeping views of the sea. The owners have come up with an ambitious concept that combines art, design and food. The food is not quite right yet, but the art and design are interesting. Sit on the terrace with a glass of chilled white wine while cool jazz plays in the background. Summer has arrived.

Oude Wenduinsesteenweg 16, Blankenberge +32 (0)50 41 10 35, oesterput.com

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Albert I Promenade 39, Ostend www.galeriebeausite.com

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This simple wooden fisherman’s cabin is one of the most romantic spots on the coast. It is a rather plain place hidden in the dunes with bare wooden tables and maritime relics. You can sit out on the terrace if the wind is not blowing sand in your face. Order the shrimp croquettes along with chilled sangria.

CHALET WESTHINDER

Westdijk, Wenduine +32 (0)50 41 58 55

DE CONCESSIE Get off the coast tram at De Haan to walk along quiet meandering lanes where the German architect and planner Joseph Stüben designed a model town in 1910 based on English garden cities. Known as De Concessie (because the land was conceded to the developer), it is a deeply romantic quarter where you find quaint white houses with steep red roofs that look as if they belong in a German fairy tale.

This stylish modern bookstore on the seafront in Het Zoute was recently taken over by the big Brussels bookstore Filigranes. People come here to pick up a novel for the beach, or something to read to the children at bedtime. Most of the books are in French, but you will find some beach reading in English at the back.

Zeedijk 777, Het Zoute +32 (0)50 60 18 28, www.cormanbyfiligranes.be

CORMAN BY FILIGRANES

L’APEREAU

Blankenberge is slowly shaking off its tacky seaside image. Here is all the evidence you need. L’Apereau is a dazzling cocktail bar with a cool lounge interior and nostalgic views of old Blankenberge along one wall. The drinks are made by Jeroen Van Hecke who has won several prizes for his mixes.

De Smet de Naeyerlaan 53, Blankenberge +32 (0)475 23 90 39, www.lapereau.be

OSTEND EAST BEACH Take the free ferry across Ostend harbour and follow signs to Fort Napoleon. A path leads through the dunes to a quiet stretch of beach where almost no one goes, not even in the summer.

Halvemaandijk Ostend

photo (©)Westtoer

The fascinating Ostend city museum is located in the former summer palace of the Belgian royal family.

The grand, slightly shabby rooms are filled with an eclectic collection of Ostend curiosities gathered by the local history society, including music boxes, ship models, sea charts, souvenirs and ferry timetables.

Langestraat 69, Ostend +32 (0)59 51 67 21, www.oostende.be/stadsmuseum

STADSMUSEUM OOSTENDE

KIJKHUT DE ZEEHOND

This is a nostalgic old neighbourhood cinema in the resort of De Haan. It was renovated in 1984, but has kept a certain period charm. The programme covers children’s films, blockbusters and the occasional prize-winning movie from the Cannes or Berlin festivals.

Monicastraat 11, De Haan +32 (0)477 26 27 68, www.cinemario.be

CINEMA RIO

Here is a place where you can escape the crowds.

This birdwatching hide was built in the IJzermonding nature reserve near the estuary of the IJzer in 2007.

It has benches where you sit in the dark watching rare birds gather along the muddy tidal riverbank.

Sometimes you hear nothing but the screeching of gulls out here, although Nieuwpoort is just on the other side of the water.

De IJzermonding Nieuwpoort

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ARTICLE

Brussels – An International Hub for World Leaders

By Martin Banks

I

t is often derided by its critics as a grey city, populated by particularly well-paid eurocrats.

But, as the presence of world leaders for the G7 summit at the start of June testifies, there is rather more to Brussels these days than the somewhat dated stereotype.

Already home to the EU institutions and international organisations like NATO, the city also boasts (after Washington DC), the world´s second biggest press corps.

The presence of the European institutions makes Brussels one of the most important decision-making centres in the world. In their wake, NGOs, consultancies, regional representations, media, and law firms, among others, have set up shop in the Belgian capital.

The G7 that took place in Brussels on June 4-5 focussed on the Ukraine situation, ties with Russia, global economy and energy security. The leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain, the United States, the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission (G7 leaders) met in the city for two days.

presence of the “ The European institutions

makes Brussels one of the most important decision-making centres in the world.

”

It was the first time that the EU hosted a summit and that it took place in Brussels. Originally a G8 summit

was scheduled to take place in Sochi, Russia in early June under Russian presidency. At their meeting in The Hague the G7 leaders decided to meet in Brussels in June in the G7 format instead.

population of “ The Brussels has also become more and more diverse.

In the past few decades, thousands of Europeans and other nationalities have settled in Brussels

”

The decision to stage such a prestigious event in Brussels tells you something about just how far the city has come from that "grey" image its critics seem to take so much pleasure in perpetrating.

As a result, the population of Brussels has also become more and more diverse. In the past few decades, thousands of Europeans and other nationalities have settled in Brussels, sometimes on a temporary basis, sometimes for the rest of their lives.

The Brussels government wanted to know who makes up this international community and how these people live their day-to-day lives in Brussels so they recently entrusted the Brussels-Europe Liaison Office with the task of carrying out a largescale survey among expats who live and/or work in Brussels.

The idea was to collect information on Brussels’ international community, in particular on the general profile of expats and their cultural and political participation, as little was known

about this group, which nonetheless continues to grow.

One of the most telling results of the 9,000 people surveyed was one which revealed that nearly 50 per cent agreed with the assertion that "I like living in Brussels."

Not bad for a city that will always lack the historic sights of some of its near neighbours such as London and Paris.

During municipal elections in October 2012, the Brussels Region totalled 190,000 EU nationals benefiting from the right to vote. But not all belong to the “international community” targeted in the survey.

They also include, among others, Spaniards, Italians and Portuguese who immigrated to Brussels in the 1960s, and, more recently, Poles and other central and eastern European nationals.

On the other hand, the Brussels “international bubble” also includes numerous non-Europeans.

A spokesman for Brussels-Europe Liaison Office said, "The results will help us identify the gaps and weaknesses that must still be remedied in order to consolidate the status of Brussels as a European and international capital worthy of the name."

Of course, a huge number of people are involved every day in gathering news about the European or international institutions based in the capital of Europe - something that was brought home most recently in the "wall to wall" coverage of the European elections.

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Whether working as employees or freelancers, most journalists in Brussels come from the 27 EU Member States. But a new trend can now be seen, with an increasing number of journalists from beyond Europe – including Asia and the Middle East.

"This," said Maria-Laura, "indicates that Europe - and Brussels - is still considered an important point of reference, perhaps even more than before.”

Together with Washington, Brussels is one of the world’s key centres for media coverage. Summits or meetings between heads of state and government, European Parliament sessions and international meetings covering a huge variety of topics are held in the city all the year round.

Brussels is the place where decisions about the future of Europe and of relevance for the entire world are taken.

Apart from covering European affairs and NATO, many journalists based in Brussels also report on developments in Belgium, the Netherlands and other European countries.

Belgium’s geographical position is obviously a major asset, located as it is at the crossroads of Latin, German and Anglo-Saxon influences. Less than three hours by train from Paris, London, Amsterdam and Cologne, our capital is the ideal place for all connections and meetings.

However, it is not all good news, at least on the Brussels media front.

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vice, a rising number of media editors believe that European affairs can be covered just as well from their national desks.

She adds, "Or else they think that EU affairs are too complex or irrelevant for their users. Some media organisations now seem reluctant to keep their correspondents in Brussels.”

with “ Together Washington, Brussels

is one of the world’s key centres for media coverage. Summits or meetings between heads of state and government, European Parliament sessions and international meetings covering a huge variety of topics are held in the city all the year round.

”

"There is an undeniable wealth

The number of foreign journalists in Brussels has recently declined from previous levels of around 1,400. This is mainly due to the difficulties facing the media industry, in Belgium and beyond. Much information is now readily available on the web.

and variety of first-hand informa-

According to Maria-Laura Franciosi, the president of Journalists@YourSer-

ian who has lived and worked in the

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tion and contacts that the working journalist can gather here. Brussels therefore remains a magnet for 1,000 journalists from all over the world accredited with the EU institutions," said Maria-Laura, an Italcity for 20 years.

Further comment comes from the country´s Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo, who reflects on some of the strictly non-political reasons to explain the fast-rising status of Brussels as a true international hub.

He said, "Visitors have a high regard for the quality of life to be found in our country. The culinary delights, arts and culture are particularly important in this respect.

"The top-quality infrastructure available in all areas, including logistics, information technology, education, sports, financial services, serves to enhance the comfort of visitors to Belgium.

"Nor is it any coincidence that so many expatriates from around the world should decide to settle here permanently once their assignment is finished in Belgium."

At which point, this writer should perhaps declare an interest. I came to this city in 2001 with the intention of staying no more than "two or three" years. Nearly 13 years later I am still here and, as the saying goes, "lovin´ it" (well, generally, that is!).

Following the departure of the G7 summiteers, Brussels already starts gearing up for its next international gathering.

And, with the media focus very much on a new EU administrations taking shape over the summer, it is little wonder that many believe that Brussels is, finally, living up to its self-proclaimed title as the "capital of Europe".

100 years

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Maserati_BXLConnect_A5.indd 1

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FASHION AS ART

Fashion as Art STIJL Brussels: The Pride of Belgian fashion

A

Concept & Styling - Denis Maksimov Model – Ariona, Apel Model Management Photography – Michael Chia, Creatif Image Make up - Sybille De Beuckelaer

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good style can elevate personality, create a mood and enhance strong features in one’s character. A distinctive style is a competitive advantage which is often underestimated. The exclusive concept store STIJL on Rue A. Dansaert 74 in Brussels does not approach clothes as a mere practicality of our daily lives. Instead, its philosophy closely intertwines fashion and art. The owner has attentively curated a selection of clothing that truly presents the prime of Belgian fashion, including some foreign designers.

The looks, created by our team from STIJL’s current collections, represent aesthetics from four globally important Belgian-raised and Belgium-based fashion brands.

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Dress, A.F. Vandevorst – €1 265 | Shoes, A.F. Vandevorst - €495

A.F. Vandevorst, which stands for Belgian couple Filip Arickx and An Vandevorst, has earned a solid base of die hard fans through 15 years of hard work. They present lingerie and military-inspired intelligent constructions with soft, feminine touches and strong tailoring.

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FASHION AS ART

Jacket, Ann Demeulemeester - €1 830 | Tunique, Ann Demeulemeester - €750 | Leggings, Ann Demeulemeester - €845 | Boots, Ann Demeulemeester - €1 020

Ann Demeulemeester collections are pure poetry. Melancholy as a state of creative reflection is in the centre of her aesthetic DNA. She has ingeniously managed to naturally intertwine combinations of opposites. She has achieved this via a harmony of edgy and classic.

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Jacket, Haider Ackermann - €2 540 | Trousers, Haider Ackermann - €615 | Shirt, Haider Ackermann - €735 | Boots, Haider Ackermann - €815

Haider Ackermann is a dark horse in the fashion world, named by Karl Lagerfeld as a potential successor of himself at the realm of Chanel. Asymmetric cuts and unearthly colours with a certain level of androgyny, presents an extinct class of nomadic royalty.

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FASHION AS ART

Dress, Dries van Noten - €645 | Waistcoat, Dries van Noten - €735 | Shoes, A.F. Vandevorst - €495 | Bracelets, Veronique Branquinho - €95 (each)

Dries van Noten, whose personal retrospective ‘Inspirations’ is on display at Les Arts Decoratifs in Paris until August 31, is known for his bohemian and aristocratic chic. The shapes are light. The colours are calm and natural.

His aesthetics is soft and subtle. There is no craving for attention.

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03.04.2014> 01.02.2015

For children, too!

COSTUME AND LACE MUSEUM Rue de la Violette 12 Violetstraat 1000 Brussels T + 32 (0)2 213 44 50 www.costumeandlacemuseum.be

COMMUNITY FOCUS

COMMUNITY FOCUS THE SWEDISH COMMUNITY IN BRUSSELS

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Brussels is home to over 180 nationalities, more than any other city in the world. The presence of all the European and International institutions has brought about an increasing amount of international communities, each one with a unique culture and natural urge to express its own identity. This evolution into a multi-diverse city makes Brussels unique.

In this issue, BxlConnect looks at the Swedish community in Brussels and covers the community’s historic and cultural presence in Belgium. There are approximately 7 000 Swedes permanently living in Belgium, most of them in Brussels, and about 1 200 are working in the EU institutions.

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AMBASSADOR ULRIKA SUNDBERG: “Bilateral relations are flourishing”

I

n 2011 the Swedish government decided to close down the embassy in Brussels representing Sweden to Belgium. Four other embassies around the world were also closed. The decision was taken for cost saving reasons. The Swedish representation to the EU remains of course and is the biggest Swedish mission abroad with over 120 employees.

The closing down of the Embassy in Brussels doesn´t however mean that bilateral Swedish – Belgian relations are not taken care of. The embassy was replaced by an honorary consulate which provides certain services, including issuing temporary passports or travel documents in case of emergencies.

A new ambassador, Ulrika Sundberg, was appointed. She is based at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Stockholm and visits Belgium regularly. The ministry describes the main tasks as maintaining an on-going dialogue with the Belgian governments on federal and regional levels and promoting the economic and cultural relations between the two countries.

Q: In retrospect, do you think that it was a mistake to close down the embassy?

A: It was a political decision. It was felt that there was less need for an embassy in view of EU integration and passport free travel in the Schengen area. I know that some people were dissatisfied. But we continue to provide certain consular services to Swedish citizens.

Q: Is there a chance that the embassy will be reopened in the near future?

A: I cannot say. It’s for the government and parliament to decide. As far as I know no political party has raised the issue.

Q: How would you describe the development of economic and cultural relations between Belgium and Sweden?

A: They are excellent. Trade relations are intensive and diverse with many Swedish companies represented or investing in Belgium, not the least as an entry point to the wider European market. Belgium ranks as number 9 worldwide when it comes to exports from Sweden. Sweden is the third biggest foreign investor in Belgium, after Germany and the Netherlands.

Swedish business, trade and labor organizations are well represented in Brussels.

Q: And cultural activities?

A: This is even easier since it doesn’t require any government effort or promotion although there is no Swedish cultural institute in Brussels. The exchange between Belgian and Swedish museums and other cultural institutions is direct. Swedish artists are often performing and exhibiting in Brussels, most recently e.g. Markus Öhrn at the Kunstenfestivaldesart with a film on how Ingmar Bergman’s films are perceived in Africa. Swedish author August Strindberg’s famous

“

About 2 500 Walloons contributed to making Sweden world leading in iron production.

”

play “Miss Julie” on “the gender war” is performed in English this summer at the Warehouse Studio Theatre in Schaerbeek.

Q: Last but not least, what would you recommend visitors to Sweden?

A: Not easy to answer in short because there is so much to explore in Sweden, especially in Summer time.

I know for sure that visitors from Belgium appreciate the space and nature in Sweden. Those coming from Wallonia have also a special interest in visiting the central parts of Sweden where the iron ore industry was developed in the 17th and 18th centuries with immigrants from this region of nowadays Belgium. About 2 500 Walloons contributed to making Sweden world leading in iron production. They established their own mining communities (“bruk” in Swedish) with workshops, healthcare and pensions schemes as well as workers’ houses around a mansion.

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COMMUNITY FOCUS

Reverend Larsa Rännar:

180 Swedish subsidiaries in Belgium According to Business Sweden – the Swedish Trade & Invest Council - the number of registered Swedish daughter companies in Belgium amounts to about 180. And if you include companies that are operating under another company name or in joint ventures with partners, the number reaches 250.

In addition, an unknown number of Swedish companies are represented in Belgium by local agents and sale offices.

Business Sweden is active in promoting trade and investment between Belgium and Sweden in all business sectors.

In recent years there is much focus on Health & Life Science, Food, Maritime, Civil security, Clean-tech, Logistic and Transport, Energy and EU-affairs.

Business Sweden has an office in Brussels. For more information about Swedish companies in Belgium, please visit www.business-sweden.se/en The three main Swedish trade union confederations – LO, TCO and SACO – share an office at Avenue de Tervueren 15 in Brussels.

Swedish Food in Brussels Swedish restaurants are hard to find in Brussels but there are at least two shops in Brussels that sell Swedish food products: Gourmet Food & Gifts at Rue Archimede 59 and Scanshop at Chaussée de Wavre 354 next to Place Jourdan. Swedish food can also be found at the IKEA stores.

Popular products are filmjölk (sour yoghurt), sill (herring), Kalles kaviar (caviar paste), knäckebröd (crisp bread) and of course Swedish meatballs.

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abroad “ Swedes tend to become more religious ”

A

central meeting point for the Swedish community in Brussels is the Swedish Church at Avenue Gaulois 35, opposite Parc Cinquantenaire (metro Merode). Located at a beautiful town house it welcomes the visitors with a smell of coffee and freshly baked cinnamon buns.

In Sweden, 95 % of all children used to pass the “confirmation ceremony” – now only about 30-40 %. For a non-Swede it can be seen as strange that a church is so popular when Sweden itself has become a secular society. But after meeting the person in charge, reverend Larsa Rännar, we understood why.

It started 1909 in Antwerp with a Swedish Seamen’s church. It still exits but is nowadays co-located in the Norwegian Seamen’s church. A church for the Swedish community in Waterloo was established in 1993. In 2007 the church moved to Brussels.

When the church was first established, the community consisted mainly of business people and retirees.

The Swedish community in Waterloo also established societies for social activities, such as the Swedish club (1973) and Swea (1979). The club has about 260 members (families and singles).

Swea stands for Swedish Women Education Association and supports Swedish culture abroad. Both of them offer members a variety of lectures, exhibitions, tours and celebrations of Swedish holidays.

The mother church in Sweden, originally a state church, paid the salaries of staff at the church in Waterloo while the members of the congregation volunteered to pay the other expenses.

This funding regime is still in place. Already that makes the church different from an ordinary church in Sweden. As long as the church was located in Waterloo it had a traditional outlook and way of working.

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Swedish Church in Brussels Open for all The move to Brussels seems to have changed everything. “Demographically, after Sweden’s entry in the EU in 1995, a growing number of Swedes became employed in the EU institutions”, Larsa explains. “Waterloo was surpassed by Brussels as the focal point for the Swedish community.”

“Today we have a mix of people including many families with children.

You don’t have to be Christian to come to us. In fact, we have visitors of all denominations and cooperate closely with nearby Catholic institutions. We have become more modern and democratic, closer to Swedish mainstream church life but still different because of our special profile in Brussels.”

“

cluding a spiritual dimension which isn’t necessarily religious. Our ambition is that our religious services on Sundays and holidays should be inclusive.”

Larsa says that his role as a shepherd for believers has changed. People today don’t ask so much about religious doubt but about how to become better human beings, to solve problems in the family or to find a personal meaning in life.

“Starting a new life in Brussels is challenging but can also make you feel vulnerable. You need a speaking partner.” Protestantism doesn’t offer confession in the Catholic sense of the word but Larsa as a family man has his own experience to share.

Larsa’s motto is that Christianity should be a living religion and integrated in society. He is engaged in the local schools for Swedish pupils. A private Swedish school was established already 40 years ago at Chateau Argenteuil in Waterloo and is funded mainly by school fees. Now it has a mix of Scandinavian curriculums and students.

People today don’t ask so much about religious doubt but about how to become better human beings, to solve problems in the family or to find a personal meaning in life.

Larsa finds it a bit difficult for newcomers to accommodate to Brussels and to make new friends among local inhabitants compared to Stockholm and other capitals. “We help expats to integrate into society here,” he says.

“Even Belgian food, despite its reputation, isn’t always appreciated.” That’s perhaps why the church serves soup lunches such as traditional Swedish pea soup on Thursdays.

But seriously speaking, the church has a wider mission. “There is a need for Swedish nationals here to have a place where they can meet and speak Swedish. They also have a need to experience Swedish culture abroad, in-

”

Most Swedish pupils are studying at the Swedish section of the European School in Woluwe. Compared with an average school in Sweden, the European School is probably more demanding but on the other hand the Swedish pupils can benefit from a relatively small class size.

What about religious education at the European School? According to Larsa, the issue has recently been discussed at the European School but it was decided to continue with the current system.

Pupils choose between classes in ethics or limited education in their own denomination given by external teachers. While this may be in line with the tradition in those countries where there is a strict separation between state and church, the drawback is that pupils will graduate with hardly any knowledge and understanding of other religions.

In Sweden, education in Christianity used to be part of the curriculum but this has since long been replaced by a non-denominational education covering all religions and ethics. We agreed that something similar should be in place in the European school.

Swedish Church: www.svenskakyrkan.se/bryssel Swedish Club: www.svenskaklubben.be SWEA: www.belgium.swea.org Scandinavian school of Brussels: www.ssb.be

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COMMUNITY FOCUS

VISIT

Sweden

Swedish history in a nutshell: A European perspective

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Sweden has always interacted with the rest of Europe despite its isolated location in the north of Europe. Its history can be described as a succession of wars, which were followed in the last century by a policy of neutrality. In 1995, Sweden joined EU which for most Swedes represents peace more than any other value.

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S

weden has an area of 450 000 square km and a population of ca 9.5 million inhabitants which makes it one of EU’s least densely populated countries. It hasn’t of course always been like this. Sweden has been both smaller and larger during its history. The current borders of mainland Sweden date from 1660.

Civil wars took place during the Middle Ages and were followed by conquest wars in the 17th and 18th centuries. The wars resulted in territories taken from Denmark and cultural treasures from countries which today make up Poland and the Czech Republic.

After the loss of Finland to Russia in the beginning of the 19th century, one of Napoleon’s generals, Jean Bernadotte, was offered the Swedish crown and became King Karl XIV Johan.

Iron helmet from 550-793 AD

Sweden is one of the first found in boat grave in Vendel, national states in Europe, es- Uppland, Sweden tablished in the 11th century, with a history of Viking raids eastwards (nowadays Ukraine and Russia) before that. Although it was christened already in the 9th century by missionaries from nowadays Germany, pagan warships and slavery weren’t wiped out until much later.

After having disappointed Napoleon, he conquered Norway as compensation for Finland.

This lasted until the peaceful break-up in 1905 when Norway declared its independence. The Bernadotte dynasty is still the Royal Family in Sweden but nowadays with only ceremonial functions.

King Karl XIV Johan

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COMMUNITY FOCUS Luckily Sweden hasn´t been involved in any wars for almost 200 years. In 1995, Sweden became a member of the European Union and has since then contributed to European policies and peace.

In recent years, general military conscription has been abolished and military resources are mainly intended for peace-keeping operations abroad. A common Swedish-Finnish initiative resulted in May 2014 in the launch of the European Institute of Peace in Brussels. The institute will complement EU and its external action service (EEAS) through active mediation and peace dialogue in international conflicts.

Sweden is one of the most open countries in Europe for people in dire need via a generous policy towards immigrants and asylum seekers. Although a political backlash is mounting up, the vast majority of Swedes think that immigrants contribute a lot to their country, well above the EU average.

10 Great the Things Dynamite Alfred Nobel succeeded in finding a way of ensuring that the highly explosive chemical nitroglycerine did not fire off before intended. Nobel took out the patent on dynamite in 1867 and became both wealthy and famous.

His fortune laid the foundations for the Nobel Prize.

Ingmar Bergman Known to be one of the most influential and accomplished film directors of all time, his movies usually dealt with death, faith, betrayal, bleakness and insanity.

The lighthouse

When ships became so large that they could leave the safety of the coastline and also sail at night there was a need for lighthous-

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es. In time lighthouses became more and more sophisticated. In 1912, Gustaf Dalén was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his inventions of automatic regulators for lighthouses.

Allemansrätten “Allemansrätten” or the public’s right to access to nature, both land and water, even if it’s privately owned, is typical of Sweden and other Nordic countries.

Based on customary law it became enshrined in the Swedish constitution in 1994 as “everybody´s right to nature”. Similar rights in other EU countries are usually more restricted.

In practice it means that all, both citizens and tourists from abroad, can go for a walk in a forest, pick berries and mushrooms, swim by a shore, paddle in a lake, and pitch a tent for a night or two in the countryside, without the requirement of permission by the landowner (this of course under the condition that the landowner’s economic interests and/or privacy is not threatened).

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Swedes probably define themselves increasingly as Europeans while still keeping a Swedish identity based, mainly, on their love to Swedish nature and language. The EU membership has opened-up Sweden and changed its attitudes to other countries. Ten years ago only a third of Swedes thought that Sweden had benefitted from EU membership which was well below the EU average. Today the majority of Swedes understand how EU works and attitudes to EU have become more positive.

Figures from the latest Eurobarometer show that EU represents above all peace for a majority of Swedes.

Strikingly, 85 % of the Swedes are happy with the economic situation in their country compared to the EU-average of 33 %. There is no regret that Sweden didn’t join the Eurozone.

Alfred Nobel

Swedes Gave to the World Astrid Lindgren Was a Swedish writer and best known for her children books that portrayed Swedish countryside with characters that have inspired children all over the world. She is one of the most translated authors worldwide.

inventory management has allowed it keep costs low as it has grown its global presence.

Tetra Pak

The adjustable spanner JP Johansson´s invention in 1892 is one of the most successful Swedish innovations ever. During the 1800s, the engineering industry developed. There were nuts and bolts of all possible sizes and everything required different spanners. What was fantastic about JP Johansson´s spanner was that it was adjustable and could be adapted to fit various dimensions.

The adjustable spanner has now existed for 120 years but has not changed much. Danes call the adjustable spanner svenskøgle and in Russia they say sjvedik, which means little Swede.

IKEA Spread over 43 countries around the world, IKEA is known for its simple, modern Swedish eco-friendly design and is a strong showcase of Swedish culture all over the world. Its attention to cost control, operational details and

Tetra Pak is a company name and brand — but in popular parlance it has become synonymous with paper packaging. The company´s first success was a tetrahedron, a pyramid with four sides, which was filled with milk.

The inventor, Erik Wallenberg, who came up with the idea in 1944 and the entrepreneur, Ruben Rausing, patented and launched Tetra Pak in 1951. The physicist, Niels Bohr, said that he “had never seen such a perfect practical application of a mathematical idea". A tetrahedron can be folded using a single piece of paper. This makes them economically efficient to manufacture.

The ombudsman function The ombudsman function is a genuine Swedish idea. The Swedish parlia-

mentary ombudsman institution was established in 1809 and is the oldest institution of its kind in the world.

From Sweden the Ombudsman idea has spread around the world and adapted itself to local conditions.

The word “ombudsman” is gender neutral and means representing the public and the parliament. The main task of the Ombudsman is to investigate complaints from citizens and issue recommendations for correction of maladministration. In doing this, the Ombudsman contributes to accountability and transparency in the public sector.

Ball bearings The development of industry during the 1800s required durable machines with a long life. Sven Wingquist´s spherical ball bearings from 1907 lay the foundations for the Swedish ball bearing company, SKF. The bearing helps to distribute the weight and prevents wear. There are different kinds of ball bearings in nearly all machines that have moving parts.

Photo Credits and Sources: - From imagebank.sweden.se: Joel Wareus, Fredrik Broman, Helena Wahlman, Henrik Trygg, Johan Willner, Kentaroo Tryman, Lola Akinmade, Ola Ericson, Sebastian Lineros and Werner Nystrand - www.100innovationer.com, National museum of Science and Technology, Stockholm

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Housing - For Rent

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Uccle Prince D Orange Villa**** + conciergerie eur 3850: a vast classical villa 265m² and a separated “conciergerie 60m²” in a 32 ares park with protected old trees. in a very sought ater quiet area. 4 bedrooms in the master’s villa plus a very nice flat 30m²in “the conciergerie”. a perfect stay for a family with 3/4 chidren in a very safe area. more details www.rent-in-brussels.com immoweb n°3812241. the owner: 0476 82 82 76

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Furnished Penthouse **** In Louise Area: A very aesthetic minimalist furnished penthouse**** designed by an international architect.87m².

The sunny side of your life. For two happy tenants plus a visitor’s bedroom. ALL IN PRICE EUROS 2,000 INCLUDING water-electr-heating-tv+annual subscription-2 telephone lines-full maintenance/ironing by cleaning lady-all kitchenw are-complete house linen- security steel door-Jacuzzi-Safe-50m²terraces, etc etc. FAR BETTER THAN ANY FLAT HOTEL. Pictures:www.rentin-brussels.com Also IMMOWEB 4636 769. The owner 0476 82 82 76

Housing - For Sale 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

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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.

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

BRUSSELS

ETTERBEEK

BRUSSELS

BRUSSELS

- Square Marguerite 34 - 3 bedrooms apartement invery good state (135 m²) - 360.000 €

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SAINT-JOSSE-TEN-NOODE SCHAERBEEK

SAINT-JOSSE-TEN-NOODE BRUSSELS

- Rue de la Ferme 116 - House divided in 3 apartments (1 bedrooms) - 270.000 €

- Square Marguerite 13 - 2 bedrooms apartement fully renovated - 240.000 €

SCHAERBEEK

BRUSSELS

BRUSSELS

BRUSSELS

- Rue Emile Wittmann 65 - 2 bedrooms apartement (100 m²) with garden - 200.000 €

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- Boulevard Reyers 114 - 3 bedrooms apartement (145 m²) - 280.000 €

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- Avenue Jottrand 9 - Family hous of 250 m² to be renovated - 330.000 €

BRUSSELS

IXELLES

- Rue de l'Inquisition 33 - Rue du Pesage 127 - Renovated house with 3 - 2 bedrooms apartement bedrooms and 2 badrooms close to ULB (145 m²) - 425.000 € - 360.000 €

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- Rue Gray 4 - 2 apartements (63 m² and 96 m²) + 1 office space - 425.000 €

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- Square Marie-Louise 58 - 3 bedrooms apartment in a new construction (158 m²) - 499.057 €

- Rue Archimède 93 - Studio of 35 m² in good state - 130.000 €

BRUSSELS

- Square Marguerite 10 - Studio of 30 m² - needs to be renovated - 115.000 €

- Square Marguerite 10 - 3 bedrooms apartement (115 m²) - 1.000 €/month

- Rue Archimède 77 - Furnished studio of 30 m² - 600 €/month

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

- Square Marie-Louise 58 - 2 bedrooms apartment in a new construction (117 m²) - 1.400 €/month

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

€ 139.000

€ 530.000

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

€ 125.000

AUDERGHEM

Near to the forêt de Soignes, Family House 170m² 3 bedrooms (pos. 4), 1 bathroom, Kitchen, cellar, ground 243m² included land for building 119m². Work needed.

BRUSSELS

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!

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

WOLUWE-SAINT-PIERRE

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

€ 126.000

€ 139.000

€ 225,000

BRUSSELS

BRUSSELS

MOLENBEEK

Near Grand Place, Apartment 1 bedroom (62m²) built 2013,living room, fully equipped kitchen, bathroom,

1250€/month

760€/month

EVERE

LAEKEN

European District nice Duplex 185m², 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 1 shower, full equipped kitchen, living room 55m² (fireplace), garage 2 cars.

€ 495.000 IXELLES

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!

750€/month ETTERBEEK

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BRUSSELS

Across parc Josaphat nice duplex 191 m² completely removed, 2 bedrooms (pos.3) 2 bathrooms (+shower), full equipped kitchen, living room 64m², office, pos. parking.

Near Nato, Frioul Area – New apartment 1 bedroom, living room, equiped kitchen,pos. 1 study, 1 barhroom, terrace.

€ 450.000

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

€ 235.000

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

€ 189,000

€ 225,000

European Distric, Nice Family House 275m² (+cellar), living room, dining room, 4 bedrooms (pos. 5),2 terraces upstairs, 2 bathrooms, full equipped Kitchen, ground 156 m².

€ 625.000

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)

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ALISON’S ESCAPES

Visiting Dinosaurs at the Museum of

Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium The Museum of Natural Sciences, better known as Brussels’ Dinosaur Museum, holds the secrets to one of the world’s most important dino-discoveries – the Iguanodons of Bernissart.

Like most children, I was obsessed with dinosaurs. I loved reading books about these incredible creatures who roamed the earth long before humans crawled out of the primordial ooze. I even went through a phase of wanting to become a palaeontologist, to uncover the secrets of these ancient reptiles. And while I don’t think about dinosaurs often in my day to day adult life, I can still admit to a lingering fascination.

Despite my interest in things dino, I had no idea Belgium has a very important dinosaur connection. When

I think of the world’s great dinosaur deposits, I picture dusty deserts in the United States or the vast prairies of Canada; (Alberta is home to the world’s largest dinosaur graveyard.)

But a herd of one particular species, the Iguanodon, found its final resting place in a tiny town in Belgium and the Museum of Natural Sciences in Brussels, tells its story.

Belgium’s dino-connection began in the municipality of Bernissart, in Hainaut. On, February 28th, 1878, deep underground, two local miners unearthed what they believed to be petrified wood. After showing their find around, a few miners decided to uncover just what was hidden there.

What they eventually discovered were 38 individual Iguanodon skeletons.

I had heard the Museum of Natural Sciences referred to as ‘the dinosaur museum’, but honestly, I didn’t think much of it. Just about every natural history museum in the world has at least one dusty dinosaur skeleton on display. So, when I finally visited this treasure trove of a museum, I was surprised to learn its dino nickname was truly justified.

Thirty of the Iguanodons are on display at the Museum of Natural Sciences, making it the world’s largest museum hall exclusively dedicated to dinosaurs. One of the most dramatic displays is a floor to ceiling glass cube, filled with nine towering Iguanodons.

Impressive though it is, scientists learned these early reconstructions

Three Spas in Belgium We Love Thermes de Spa If you’re completely new to the Belgian spa scene, a great way to get your feet wet is to go straight to the source (sorry, I couldn’t resist) and visit the Thermes de Spa.

With the arrival of the warm and sunny weather, it’s finally spa season, (well let’s face it, it’s always spa season in Belgium). We thought it would be a great time to recap 3 of our favourite spas in Belgium.

For those of you who have never been to a Belgian spa, it could be a bit different than what you’re used to back home, especially for you North Americans. If you’re like I was, you probably think of a spa as a place to get a massage, facial or manicure. Belgian spas have all of this but are so much more.

In fact, Belgians have perfected the spa. As they should — after all, they coined the term. Since the 14th century, Europeans have been visiting the thermal pools of the Belgian town, Spa. The term ‘spa’ has come to mean any place having a natural water source that has healthy properties — a place of relaxation and rejuvenation.

Belgian spas are all about the water, so although many other treatments are offered, the most important part of the spa experience is soaking in the pool – be it a Jacuzzi, hot-tub or a refreshing swimming pool.

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The Thermes de spa is a huge modern complex with indoor and outdoor pools, saunas and hammams. It is very family friendly, so you’ll see a lot of families with children on the weekends. It draws an international crowd of all ages and its location on a hilltop, offers a great view of Spa, below.

Our one complaint about the Thermes de Spa is the lack of a decent restaurant on site.

Practical Info Les Thermes de Spa Colline d’Annette et Lubin 4900 Spa - BELGIUM Telephone: +32(0)87 77 25 60 www.thermesdespa.com

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from mammals to insects, rocks and minerals, biodiversity and evolution.

There are also workshops, designed especially for children and fascinating temporary exhibitions. From now until November 2014, “Baby Animals” introduces young children to the lives of babies of other species.

were wrong and the Iguanodons actually spent most of their time on all fours. The museum now has one reconstructed skeleton in the scientifically correct posture.

But, to me, what is even more fascinating than the giant standing skeletons, is what lies under their feet.

Many of the remaining skeletons have been placed below the ‘dino-cube’ in a replica of how they were discovered in Bernissart, all those years ago.

Standing in front of this mass of skel-

etons, it’s easy to feel the thrill those early palaeontologists must have felt while uncovering this globally significant find.

Of course, any self-respecting ‘dinosaur museum’ has to have more than one species, and you’ll find many of the Iguanodon’s contemporaries in the dinosaur hall as well.

And, despite its nickname, there are plenty of other exhibits, from the natural world, to discover in this fascinating museum including: animals

The museum is constantly striving to bring its exhibitions up-to-date and make them as interactive and interesting as possible, for children and adults alike. There is plenty to discover here, making the ‘dinosaur museum’ well worth a visit for all ages.

Practical Info Museum of Natural Sciences Rue Vautier 29 1000 Brussels Museum Hours: Tuesday – Friday 9.30 – 17.00 Saturday and Sunday 10.00 – 18.00 School holidays (Tuesday – Sunday) 10.00 – 18.00 Closed on Mondays, 1 Jan, 1 May and 25 Dec

Thermae Grimbergen

Thermae Boetfort

The first spa we ever visited in Belgium was Thermae Grimbergen, and it was a real eye-opener in more ways than one. Coming from Canada, we still had the North American version of a spa firmly planted in our heads. We were surprised to find the spa had both a bathing-suit required and a nude side and communal changing rooms. (Puritans beware!)

My current favourite spa is the Thermae Boetfort, just outside of Brussels. It is run by the same people that run Thermae Grimbergen. It also has a bathing-suit and nude side to the spa, but it is a newer facility and I really like its character.

Thermae Grimbergen has a sort of North African feel to its decor. It is much smaller than Thermes de Spa, but also less crowded and noisy. There are fewer children here and more younger couples and groups of friends.

There is an excellent restaurant and there are plenty of spa packages if you need a full day of pampering.

Practical Info Thermae Grimbergen Wolvertemsesteenweg 74 B-1850 Grimbergen Tel: +32 (0)2 270 81 96 www.thermae.com/grimbergen

It’s built inside an old fortified farmhouse and the modern spa facilities contrast beautifully with the period architecture. I particularly love the relaxing pool in the former wine cellar. The spacious yard offers plenty of room for longing in the sun.

The only drawback is the rather small size of the outdoor pool on the bathing-suit side of the spa. The lovely restaurant in the former chateau is a nice trade-off though.

Practical Info Thermae Boetfort Sellaerstraat 42 B-1820 Melsbroek Tel: +32 (0)2 759 81 96 www.thermae.com/boetfort

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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www.eurospacecenter.be

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Summer is upon us so thoughts naturally turn to hazy, lazy days out, the unpredictable Belgian weather permitting, of course! Here´s a few ideas to fill your summertime diary.

There´s nothing better when the sun is out than messing about on the river and, despite being landlocked, Gent offers some particularly great opportunities to indulge yourself.

SUMMER DAYS OUT IN BELGIUM

By Martin Banks With Minerva boat company (www.minervaboten.be) you can rent a boat for an hour, half a day or whole day. You don´t require a boating license or experience so anyone over 18 years of age can take advantage of this excellent offer.

In easy-to-navigate boats, you´ll peacefully pass beautiful gardens as well as the painter´s villages of St Martens-Latem and Deurle, in addition to the historic centre of Gent itself of course. You will not encounter any swing bridges en route and qualified staff provide all the necessary info and advice. New boats (and owners) since last year and prices start at a very reasonable €50 for two hours. Great fun and great value.

Another fantastic attraction in Gent is S and R Rozebroeken (www.sr-rozebroeken.be), a subtropical swimming paradise with water rides, tyre slides, wave pool, outdoor children´s pools, plus sauna and steam bath.

Open 7/7, it is ideal for families.

Just over the Brussels border, near Mons, you can come across an unexpected but very pleasant surprise - the historic Canal du Centre (www.voiesdeau.hainaut.be) and its four boat lifts, declared an exceptional UNESCO site.

Of the eight hydraulic boat lifts built in the world at the beginning of the 20th century, the four here are the only ones that still remain in their original working condition.

Each of these enable compensation for a difference in level of about 17 metres and you can admire this exceptional site during a guided excursion combining a ride on a small tourist train, machine room visit and the passage by boat of one of these timeless works of engineering.

With the long summer schools hols stretching out before us, you may well be desperate to keep the kids occupied.

If so, check out Aventure Parc (www.aventureparc.be), a terrific `amusement park´ with a difference at Wavre, just outside Brussels.

Ideal for people of all ages and located in a lovely setting, it offers the chance to climb on various games located on the 14 courses of the park.

Everyone gets an outfit and equipment (harness, pulley and tether) to complete the activity. Don´t forget to take sturdy shoes!

Nearby is ever-popular Aqualibi and Walibi amusement park (www.walibi.com).

If you find yourself over in Limburg province, you really should make a beeline for the Open-air Museum at Bokrijk (www.bokrijk.be) which brings the past to life. Along the way, real craftsmen such as the spinner, milliner, basket weaver and tanner will demonstrate old techniques, showing you how things were done a century ago in the rural Flanders communities of the Kempen, Haspengouw and East and West Flanders.

Children can also participate in workshops and it boasts more than 100 authentic buildings. Special programmes run every Sunday throughout summer.

Much attention later this year will be on the Ypres area for commemorations for the WW1 anniversary. If you find yourself in the vicinity, visit the splendid In Flanders Fields Museum (www.inflandersfields.be) or, for some light relief, Bellewaerde (www.bellewaerde.be), a fun family place, full of attractions and animals.

The coast is also a great place in summer, of course, and so (at any time of year) is Sea Life Centre at Blankenberge (www.sealife.be).

Down in Wallonia, meanwhile, the Euro Space Centre (www. eurospacecenter.be), just off the E411 motorway near St Hubert, is a science museum and educational tourist attraction.

It is devoted to space science and astronautics. The centre includes simulators of space flight and micro-gravity on topics like weightlessness and its effects and even has space adventure camps.

Back in Brussels, the Planetarium (www.planetarium.be) is a magical place that invites you to discover the beauty of the starry sky. Beneath a semi-spherical dome, embark on a journey where the canopy of heaven, panoramic landscapes and astronomical images blend together. The planetarium is one of the largest in Europe and boasts a completely redesigned projection hall, with a state-of-the-art projection system made up of eight of the latest technology video-projectors.

If you´re totally bush whacked by expanding so much energy criss-crossing the country, take a leisurely River Tours boat trip (www.brusselsbywater.be) along the city´s pleasant canal network. Like much of Belgium, you´ll under-estimate this attraction at your peril!

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BNP Paribas Fortis, the number one bank in Belgium, offers you every essential banking and insurance service, whether you are on your way or already here. We offer you all solutions customised to your needs, from day-to-day banking to savings & investments, from insurance to loans and advice.

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Publisher : A. Moenaert, BNP Paribas Fortis SA/NV, Montagne du Parc/Warandeberg 3, 1000 Brussels, RPM Brussels, TVA BE 0403.199.702