The Brussels Tribune N°20 by Daphné De Ridder

Does Belgium need an ‘imagelift’?

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Mensuel gratuit réalisé par La Tribune de Bruxelles - N°20 - novembre 2010

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Cultural Diary 3

De l’art et des artistes abordables g L’art contemporain accessible à tous, c’est le pari de la « Brussels Accessible Art Fair ». Du 5 au 7 novembre, à l’hôtel Conrad, une occasion unique pour s’offrir un coup de cœur dans les limites du raisonnable. La « Brussels Accessible Art Fair » défend avant tout la notion d’accessibilité de l’art : « Le concept d’art accessible se vérifie à plusieurs niveaux. Premièrement, le prix des œuvres vendues lors de la foire oscillent entre 50 et 5000€. Deuxièmement, les artistes sont présents sur place et il est possible de les rencontrer et d’entamer un dialogue. Et troisièmement, l’entrée est gratuite pour le public », explique Louis Logodin, chargé de la communication pour l’événement. Il affirme que l’idée n’est pas de démonter une vision stéréotypée d’un art réservé à l’élite : « Notre ambition est d’inciter un public qui ne visite pas ou peu les galeries à investir dans des œuvres d’art abordables et de qualité. » Pour tous ceux qui ne s’y connaissent pas et qui craignent de faire un mauvais choix, la foire propose un service de conseil à l’achat. « Plusieurs conseillers seront disponibles pour aiguiller gratuitement les acheteurs potentiels. Ils

faciliteront le contact entre le public et les artistes afin de mettre tout le monde à l’aise » L’événement permet également à tous les collectionneurs et passionnés d’art de côtoyer un cocktail d’artistes émergents et affirmés, belges et internationaux. C’est le lieu idéal pour les personnes sensibles à l’art contemporain et désireuses de rencontrer l’artiste qui si cache derrière chaque œuvre. « Pour une foire de ce type, rassembler autant d’artistes – une soixantaine en tout – que l’on peut rencontrer directement : c’est une première. Parmi eux, beaucoup sont des internationaux qui vivent à Bruxelles. » Pour en profiter, nul besoin de se rendre dans un grand complexe impersonnel à l’extérieur de la ville. La « Brussels Accessible Art Fair » prend place au cœur même de Bruxelles, avenue Louise. La foire occupe deux salles de l’hôtel Conrad : « la Ball room accueille les artistes et une pièce plus petite sert

d’atelier pour trois designers. » Le vernissage est prévu pour le vendredi 5, de 18h à 22h. La foire ouvre quant-à elle le samedi 6 et le dimanche 7, de 11h à 18h.

NICOLAS ROZEN U Au Conrad Brussels Hotel, 71, av. Louise, 1050 Bruxelles. Plus d’info : www.accessibleartfair.com.

L’artiste derrière l’œuvre Ce n’est pas tous les jours que le public peut voir des artistes et des designers d’aussi près et, encore mieux, discuter directement avec eux. Issus de différents pays et d’univers artistiques variés, les rencontres promettent d’être particulièrement enrichissantes. Les visiteurs pourront notamment s’entretenir avec la Polonaise Julita Malinowska, le Belge Pete Heylands ou l’Américain Gordon Hopkins.

Julita Malinowska Jeune artiste polonaise, Julita Malinowska vit et travaille à Cracovie. Elle est fascinée par la psychologie, la sociologie, la spiritualité et les religions. Son esprit d’analyse, son sens de l’observation et, plus important encore, du « Peintre » (le créateur) la pousse à atteindre un idéal de la peinture. Avec ses pinceaux, elle tente de créer une vision à la fois originale et universelle du monde.

Pete Heylands

Gordon Hopkins

Pete Heylands est né à Ostende en 1966 et a collaboré avec de nombreuses académies d’art, dont l’Académie des Beaux arts de Paris. Il a commencé sa carrière en tant que portraitiste, notamment pour le compte de la famille princière de Monte Carlo. Ses œuvres contemporaines sont tantôt colorées et humoristiques, tantôt nostalgiques et tendres.

Gordon Hopkins est un artiste américain né en 1965 et vivant à Bruxelles. Il trouve son inspiration en voyageant à travers toute l’Europe. Il explore l’usage des couleurs grasses avec lesquelles il trace le contour d’objets du quotidien. Pour donner de la profondeur et du mouvement, il superpose de nombreuses couches de couleurs intenses. Poissons, jardins et paysages font partie des nombreux sujets qu’il traite.

REDACTION: Tél.: 02 211 30 51- TheBrusselsTribune@tbx.be. Coordination: Elodie Weymeels. Ont collaboré à ce numéro :Michalon, Valérie Pétillon, Nicolas Rozen, Solange Berger, Michèle Schoonjans, René Sépul, Elodie Weymeels, traduction Elan - COMMERCIALISATION : Michaël Cohen, Sales Manager 0475.25.40.71. Hatim Elmajd 0498.629.237 IMMO : Véronique Le Clercq, Sales Manager, vero.leclercq@rgp.be - Tél: 02 211 27 64 - 0475.57.62.35. - EDITEUR RESPONSABLE : François le Hodey - MISE EN PAGE : Azur Graphic, Daphné & Delphine De Ridder - IMPRESSION : Sodimco . The Brussels Tribune est imprimé sur du papier recyclé. Vous aussi respectez l’environnement en glissant votre magazine dans un sac ad hoc après sa lecture !

4 Cultural Diary Du cinéma caliente au Bota

Arts urbains : fusion des genres

Le Festival Cinéma Méditerranéen investit le Botanique pour une 11e édition plus chaude que jamais.

L’Urban Fusions Festival décloisonne les arts urbains.

Alors que l’hiver vient à peine de débuter, une vague de chaleur envahit le Botanique... Le cinéma du soleil est de retour ! Au programme : plus de soixante films, des concerts, des expositions et un marché méditerranéen qui réunit artisanats et spécialités culinaires. Le festival propose au public de découvrir le meilleur de la production cinématographique récente des pays du bassin méditerranéen, mais aussi de l’un ou l’autre pays co-producteurs comme la Belgique. Neufs jours ne seront pas de trop pour faire le tour de l’événement. Placé sous le signe de la découverte et de l’échange, l’objectif des organisateurs est d’instaurer compréhension et dialogue entre toutes les populations d’origines diverses de Bruxelles.

U du 5 au 13 novembre, au Botanique. Plus d’info : www.cinemamed.be ou 02/800.80.04.

Des jouets par milliers Playtown, le temple du jeu et du jouet interactif, ouvre ses portes.

Les occasions d’écouter du slam, du hip hop, du reggae et de jazz en un même endroit sont rares. La plupart du temps, chaque forme d’expressions est cloisonnée et s’adresse à un public bien déterminé. Le concept de l’Urban Fusions Festival est justement de rapprocher les différentes formes d’arts urbains et de faire en sorte qu’elles se rencontrent dans un esprit d’ouverture. Le festival se concentre plus particulièrement sur les richesses du slam et du hip hop bruxellois : de nombreux artistes à l’affiche sont issus des quartiers populaires de la capitale. Et pour soutenir la cause du handicap, les trois soirées musicales se feront au profit de l’asbl « le 6ème sens », une association qui défend les personnes handicapées.

U Du 11 au 13 novembre. A la salle des fêtes de Jette, place C. Mercier, 1090 Jette. Plus d’info : www.urbanfusion.be.

« We are all going crazy » Le regard de quatre photographes sur un village flamand vidé de ses habitants

Si entrer à Playtown n’est pas un problème, en ressortir est une toute autre histoire : le salon du jeu n’occupe pas moins de quatre palais, soit plus de 9500m². Les enfants auront accès à un gigantesque terrain de jeux où ils pourront essayer et tester des tonnes jouets et découvrir en avantpremière les dernières nouveautés. L’événement n’est pas uniquement destiné aux enfants. Il a été pensé pour toute la famille. Pour les parents et grands-parents, ce sera l’occasion de faire le plein d’idées créatives et de conseils. Pendant les quatre jours, les mouflets pourront également voter pour le meilleur jeu familial de l’année.

U du 4 au 7 novembre, à Tour&Taxis, plus d’info : www.playtown.be.

Un collectif de quatre photographes s’est intéressé au village de Doel, en Flandre, sur la rive gauche de l’Escaut. Chacun à leur manière, Isabelle Pateer, Frédéric Pauwels, Cindy Hannard et Thomas Baltes explorent la relation entre nature et industrie, progrès et héritage, poids des institutions et volontés citoyennes. Leur travail est exposé au Botanique, du 3 novembre au 12 décembre. Menacés depuis le début des années 60 par les plans d’extension du port d’Anvers, de nombreux habitants de Doel se sont vu contraints de vendre leurs maisons à une société créée par le gouvernement flamand et qui les abat ensuite sans remords. Depuis quelques mois, un sursaut de vie résonne dans cette cité du silence et de nombreux artistes ont envahi les lieux. Grâce aux tags, peintures et sculptures, le village paraît désormais moins morose. Sur certaines façades, un mot revient : «Bewoond» (habité). Mais même si quelques irréductibles ont décidé de ne pas baisser les bras – une poignée de «Doelenaars» a saisi la justice qui leur donne raison – l’avenir de Doel reste incertain.

U du 3 novembre au 12 décembre, au Botanique.

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Diary 6 Cultural Galleries

Peculiar universes U 21.11.10 G.Chaissac, M.Haas, M. Nedjar - Singuliers Galerie J.Bastien - 61, Rue de la Madeleine - 1000 Brussels T/02 513 25 63 www.jbastien-art.be Tue to Sat 11am to 6pm, Sun 11am to 1pm

Sans titre, Michel Nedjar ©, technique mixte sur carton, 120 x 8 cm, 1993 The exhibition shows three peculiar universes, each of them filled with a deep emotion. Around Gaston Chaissac’s tender and caustic works, two contemporary artists animated the space with their work. Michel Haas with his “urban body jungle” proposes for the occasion an astonishing, fantastic and amusing bestiary. Michel Nedjar with his “refuges of the memory” takes us along to the heart of his disconcerting dolls, masks or rags…Singular and very touching! M.S.

Also to be seen this month U 14.11.10 - Marie Mandy (with Vincent Fooy) - Un corps à soi - Galerie Libre Cours - 100, Rue de Stassaert - 1050 Brussels - T/0473 590 285 - www.galerielibrecours.eu - Thu to Sat 2:30 to 6:30pm or by appointment, Sun brunch on 31/10 & 14/11 : 12noon - 3pm An intimate exhibition of photographs in relation to the Marie Mandy film release “My two breasts, Intimate diary of a healing”. A moving testimony of a creative woman whose injured body becomes Body Art. M.S.

Playful spiritual walks U 30.11.10 Francis Alÿs - A story of deception Wiels - av.Van Volxem, 354 - 1060 Brussels T/02 340 00 50 - www.wiels.org Wed to Sun 11am-6pm, 1st,3rd Wed till 9pm Entrance fee : 2€ to 6€ World-renowned Belgian artist Francis Alÿs (b.1959) is holding his first one-man show in his homeland. The exhibition presents iconic work alongside new pieces which have never been shown before. Alÿs works in a variety of When Faith Moves Mountains (Cuando la fe mueve montañas), Lima, 2002, mediums, including drawings, paintings, pho- Video, Courtesy of Francis Alÿs and David Zwirner, New York, tographs, sculpture, installations and video, but Image: Francis Alÿs, © Francis Alÿs is known above all for his city walks. His work is based upon explorations such as daily life in the city, its social interaction, local customs or for political themes such as conflicts at borders, economic crises... He often starts his work with a simple act, either made by him or others, which is then documented in a range of media. Working in urban settings and dramatic landscapes, he creates interventions, which frequently address a historical or political concern, attached to a specific site. In the mid 1980’s Alÿs moved to Mexico City at a time of quite a lot of political unrest. He began to make work, which recorded every day life over there, capturing images of street sleepers and workers. In Paradox of Praxis 1 1997 Alÿs pushed a block of ice around Mexico City until it melted. The work stood as an alMaster of composition legory about failed modernization strategies in the region and draU 20.11.10 - Arnold Newman - Portraits et matized the idea of applying maximum effort for minimum results. abstractions - Galerie Valérie Bach Alÿs has the talent to integrate a political message without being Rue Ernest Allard, 43 - 1000 Brussels tiresome: there is always a certain touch of lightness in his work. T/ 02 502 78 24 www.galerievaleriebach.com Michele Schoonjans Wed 2-6pm, Thu to Sat, 11am-1pm, 2-7pm or by appointement Gallery | Exhibition

Unmasked view upon the society U 13.02.11 - James Ensor - Revealed Espace Culturel ING - Place Royale, 6 - 1000 Brussels T/02 547 22 92 - www.ing.be/art - Mon to Sun 10am - 6pm , Wed till 9pm - Booking online www.ing.be/art>Ticket Online

The Centre for Fine Arts Brussels (BOZAR) in cooperation with ING Belgium and the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA) explores the world of the highly productive and multi-talented artist, James Ensor. The exhibition Revealed takes the visitor to the artist stuThe Astonishment of the Mask Wouse, 1889, dio, offers an insight Oil on canvas, 109 x 131 cm, KMSKA © into his sources of inspiration, shows us his artistic evolution and gives us a whole new look upon his work. The exhibition gathers more than 150 drawings as well as 65 paintings, which provide the key to Ensor’s renowned works and has been structured around two major themes. One section portrays Ensor as one of the greatest realist painters of the 19th century and has been illustrated by an exceptional selection of masterpieces such as The Oyster-Eater and The Bourgeois Salon. The other section presents us the most original and innovative side of Ensor’s work: his notorious grotesque paintings and masks, including masterpieces such as Intrigue and The Astonishment of the Mask Wouse. The exhibition holds also a numerous of never exhibited photographs, documents, schoolbooks, handwritten notes and scribbled-out outpourings on scraps of paper, which in words and images reveal how Ensor’s adventurous artistic path took shape. Intimate exhibition of an audacious artist, who enlightened the late 19th- and early 20th century middle-class society behavior with humor, burlesque and irony behavior. Don’t miss the curiosity cabinet, specially dedicated to children…...cute and smashing! MS

American photographer, Arnold Newman (1918 - 2006) was fascinated by drawing and painting, but was forced to give up the vocation to become a painter. In 1941, he left to New York, and began photographing artists. Newman found his inspiration in the empathy, which he felt for artists and their work. Throughout his career he photographed the most famous people of 20th century. Although he photographed many personalities, he maintained that even if the subject is not known or has already been long forgotten, the photograph in itself must still excite emotion and interest the viewer. Newman is known to place his subject in a carefully controlled setting to capture the essence of the individual’s life and work. He normally captured his subjects in their most familiar surroundings with representative visual elements, underlining their professions and personalities. For him the surroundings had to add to the composition and the understanding of the person. No matter who the subject was, it had to be an interesting photograph. Like a painter, Newman liked not only doing portraits, but also still life’s, abstract compositions. There are lesser known works but of also of great interest. Newman was a mastermind, he managed to encapsulate his interaction with the subject and added a great soul to his photographs. MS

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Diary 8 Cultural Focus

Belgium: Are beer, chocolate, waffles and French fries enough? g Good specialist beers, fine chocolate based on cocoa (not vegetable

fat!), waffles and French fries – that’s the basis of an advert about Belgium called ‘Belgium...beyond expectations’. Is that really “beyond expectations” for people outside Belgium or aren’t these precisely the cliches that we non-Belgians associate with the country? For this dossier, The Brussels Tribune asked Euro expats for their impressions of Belgium/ Belgians and vice versa. Against the backdrop of Belgium’s inability to form a government since its last general election in June 2010, we also listened into a debate on whether or not the country needs a new image. Let’s start by hearing from a Canadian, an Irishman and an Austrian...

Vox Pops A Canadian working in public affairs in Brussels for over five years What were your stereotypes about Belgians before you arrived in Belgium? A little slow, friendly, good natured and slightly gluttonous, disliking the French and annoyed at the intrusion of the EU. An amusing nasal accent and an acceptance of bad weather.

How long have you been here and have those stereotypes changed? There are big general discrepancies between the views of the Flemish and Walloons. I see the Flemish as more engaging but more xenophobic and the Walloons as more open to others but at the same time more reserved in their interactions. The biggest change has been seeing just how bad the internal disagreements and linguistic barriers are between the communities here.

However, it still feels very slow, administrative, behind the times a little and, while people are friendly, many also seem a bit down.

An Irishman working at the British Council in Brussels What were your stereotypes about Belgians before you arrived in Belgium? To be honest, I knew very little about Belgium even though I had decided to follow my girlfriend here for six months (which has subsequently become six years - now there’s a cliché!). I grew up reading Tintin books, but never questioned their origins. I played the clarinet, perhaps wishing it was a saxophone, yet I had no idea that the sax was a Belgian invention. However, one stereotype was implanted at an early age by a fellow classmate when I was in primary school and corroborated by my teacher, i.e. that ‘Brussels is boring’.

Have those stereotypes changed since you’ve been here? Yes, that ‘boring’ stereotype has disappeared. Brussels is endlessly intriguing. There’s the constant buzz of cultural activities: from free summer concerts to museums on every topic from plastic to public toilets. Then there’s the way you discover it gradually.

I remember my first time in the city centre: I admired the Grand Place, then was underwhelmed by the Manneken Pis, then went back to the Grand Place again then strolled back to my bedsit thinking there was not much to see in Brussels after all. Now I know to dive into A la Becasse for a lambic, or sit in the hidden, verdant cobblestoned courtyard of Toone or climb to the 5th floor of the Royal Library for views of the city. There’s the unique flavour of every commune with its maisons communales, fruit and veg markets and street parties. The great food, beer and cafés. Now I think: how could anyone say Brussels is boring?

An Austrian official in the European Parliament Belgian administration/banks/police are difficult as they always have a lot of technical reasons why things have to be done in a complicated way. Belgian plumbers never find the problem in the house the first time – they have to come two or three times before finding it! Belgian improvisation can lead to some botched solutions. For example, a German organisation in Brussels ordered two new toilets with two new booths. Because a window was in the way, the plumbers put the flush system for both toilets in one booth so that the person in the booth without a flush system had to call to his neighbour to flush his toilet! .........................

Julian Hale

Focus

Do stereotypes have any value?

g Now it goes without saying that these are stereotypes that should be taken with a pinch of salt. They may

well be based on real experiences, but how often do these things really happen? And should we really be tarring all Belgians with the same brush just because their administrative machine can sometimes be a little unwieldy? Bearing in mind the caveat that stereotypes can be huge exaggerations, here are some of the main ones that Euro expats have of Belgium/Belgians and that Belgians have of Euro expats.

Stereotypes that Eurocrat expats have of Belgium/Belgians •

The Francophones and the Flemish are not always best of friends.

•

There seems to be a chemist, cafe and fruit and veg shop on every street corner!

•

They ‘specialise’ in making/eating chocolate, beer, waffles and French fries.

•

There is lots of painful ‘Kafkaesque’ administration/red tape.

•

They like to make simple things very complicated.

•

There is often no government but the country keeps going.

The country is somewhat ‘surreal’ – for example, EU newspaper Europolitics ran a caption in one edition of its publication with a picture of the Belgian EU Presidency saying: “This is not a presidency” [the country had no government when it took over as EU President…and in fact it still doesn’t]

•

Belgians are bad, careless and impatient drivers (e.g. they ‘hoot’ you from behind as soon as the traffic lights go green and often don’t use their indicators).

•

There is often lots of dog poo and garbage in the streets.

•

There’s a thriving black market in various areas of work.

•

The customer service (e.g. in restaurants) is poor.

•

There are hardly any famous Belgians (except for Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters).

•

In theory everything has to be done by the book and very formally (e.g. you often have to sign invoices and put your initials on every page of contracts) but in reality there are various shortcuts and unofficial ways of doing things!

•

Belgians speak ‘Belgian’ (Ok, Eurocrats probably do know that but people back in their home country often don’t!)

•

There’s a joke doing the rounds in the Brussels press corps: Apparently the French want to annex Belgium. They’re going to call it ‘Nord pas de Flamands’…

•

Many Eurocrats said they had seen Belgians urinating outdoors in some very strange places - a Dutch Eurocrat suggested that this stereotype points to an underlying «indifference» and «lack of respect». Is it the Mannequin Pis that inspires this kind of behaviour?

Stereotypes that Belgians have of Eurocrats •

They’re arrogant and pretentious

•

They hardly pay any taxes.

•

They don’t take part in Belgian society – e.g. they don’t go to watch Anderlecht or any another Belgian football team and they don’t go to the theatre.

•

They all have beautiful houses.

•

They all go to Place Luxembourg and to the At Seven nightclub.

•

Their wives don’t work and spend lots of time at fitness clubs.

•

They complain all the time.

•

They have the ‘cul dans le beurre’ [an easy life].

•

They don’t do anything – they’re penpushers, writing report after report

•

They take long lunch breaks and don’t have much stress

‘Don’t mention the wars’ A book about European stereotypes has been published by New Island in 2009. Irish TV journalist Tony Connelly has written a book called ‘Don’t mention the wars’ explaining the roots of European stereotypes. It covers the Germans, the French, the Spanish, the Italians, the Danes, the Swedes, the Finns, the Hungarians, the Czech and the Poles. He said that he had heard the following stereotypes about different nationalities in EU talks. The French always give their ‘thèse, antithèse et synthèse’ about a draft text, the Spanish have a strong sense of decorum about seating arrangements and the Italians talk for ten minutes and you have no idea what they were talking about at the end of it! At a lunch meeting about his book in Brussels, he explained that stereotypes were a “human need to simplify” but that “if people take the time, stereotypes can be overcome and set aside”.

U www.newisland.ie

Photo: Christophe Bortels

Photo:Martin D’Haese

Diary 10 Cultural Focus

Belgium: A ‘non-country’?

Photo: De Buren

We’ve run through a fair few stereotypes but one that we haven’t covered yet is about Belgium’s low profile as far as foreigners are concerned. As recently as 24th February this year, in a speech in the European Parliament, the outspoken UK Independence Party MEP Nigel Farage described the new EU President Herman Van Rompuy as being from a “non-country”. At first sight, that seems a pretty absurd and insulting thing to say about what clearly is a country and yet his point about Belgium’s low profile abroad is not so far wide of the mark… During a debate, on 7th October, hosted by the Flemish/Dutch cultural institute Huis De Buren, both Belgian marketeer Phillipe Van Steene and Former Flemish TV and radio network chief executive Tony Mary said that Belgium had “no image”. Van Steene even went as far as to argue that it is worse to have no image than a bad image in marketing. The debate was all about how Belgium was slipping down various indexes that measure what non-Belgians think of Belgium and whether or not the country of grey skies, beer, chocolate and French fries needed to freshen up its image. One of Van Steene’s proposals for an advertising campaign was ‘Business comfort in the heart of Europe’ to convey the idea that people here can have a good balance between business and their lifestyle here. When (or if?) there is a new Belgian government ever again, he plans to try to persuade the new Prime Minister or Foreign Affairs Minister to set up a ‘brand office’ to give the country a

fresh identity. “The EU presidency [which Belgium “People don’t jump to conclusions. They look at a discussion intelligently. A brand identity is what currently holds] was a good opportunity but it’s can you be proud of. The problem with modesty is too late for that now,” he said. “The perception of that Belgians think they can’t do whatever it may Belgium is not good and is declining in all its attribe. But it’s a very creative butes. This is a clear opportucountry so why not use that nity to start nation branding Jon Stewart (“The Daily Show” (on creativity?” for Belgium. If we do nothing, CNN International, sep 29) then competitor countries Tony Mary built on that will pull ahead,” he added. point. Although he argued “I hope the Belgian police came that Belgium’s national But Dr. Menno Spiering, prepared. Oh, they did.” identity is all about ‘Vivons who is a lecturer in Eurocachés, vivons heureux’ pean Studies at Amsterdam [which amounts to ‘leading University, was anything [Picture of Belgian police a quiet and unassuming but but convinced about the with giant waffles instead contented life’ in English], need for Belgium to be gihe pointed out that there ven a new brand. “Markeof riot shields] was lots of creativity in teers sell you a problem and Belgium. “Six of the world’s then solve it,” he said sceptically. Perhaps film maker “Why did I hit you with a waffle top ten fashion makers are joke. Because we really don’t Elian Wils, who has made a Belgian but few people know film (www.truthaboutams- know anything else about you.” that,” he said. He was not a big fan of a government adterdam.com) countering a vert that included showing Fox News report that descriBelgians drinking beer and eating French fries as bed Amsterdam as “a cesspool of corruption” full it “just built on clichés that always pop up (e.g. that of drugs and crime, came closest to some kind of solution. He described modesty as a Belgian trait. the French are good lovers and Italians love their

Photo: CONIX ARCHITECTS

Focus

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‘Proud of Belgium and proud to be so’ Ideal(ized) images of Belgium

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Guest speakers: Art historian Elsbeth Etty, Minister of State Marc Eyskens, Béatrice Delvaux, chief editor of Le Soir, columnist (Le Soir) Alain Berenboom and Dirk Barrez (DeWereldMorgen). Debate moderated by Marc Reynebeau.

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Stempel Magazine will set up a border post, organize a quiz and put on some typical Belgian dishes. There is also talk of a rendition of Belgium’s first ever Eurovision song contest winning song, ‘J’aime la vie’ (1986)

U Wednesday 10 November at 20:15. In French and Dutch with simultaneous translation- Flagey | Studio 1, HeiligKruisplein, 1040 Brussels Free, reservation recommended: info@deburen.eu, +32 (0)2 212 19 30

mums)”. “Isn’t it a feeble base from which to project one’s image to the world?” he said. Feeble or not, that advert is currently being used at the World Exhibition in Shanghai, where Van Steen says it helps ensure that the Belgian stand at the exhibition is the sixth most visited. The reason, he argues, is simply down to Belgian beer and chocolates. According to one member of the audience, the advert was “terrible”.. But were there were any concrete new ideas for how to market Belgium? Not really. Maybe we should add that to the list of tasks of Belgium’s new political ‘clarificateur’... Whatever you think about Belgium, of one thing we can be sure. This is not an uncomplicated country. Even before the debate began, the Direct of De Buren had this to say: “If at the end of the evening, you think you’ve understood marketing and Belgium, that means that it’s been wrongly explained.”

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Diary 12 Cultural Real Estate

Conviviality in Wijnegem

The Vervoordt project at Wijnegem is a combination of old and new, conviviality and efficiency.

gT he site of the “Kanaal” is about to become a small village mixing culture, families, shops and offices.

A challenge? Not really.

THE VERVOORDTS, AXEL, DICK, May and Boris, are inaugurating their great Canal Albert project. Almost three hectares are going to be built on and transformed - it was eleven years ago that Axel and May Vervoordt bought this piece of old industrial wasteland backing onto Canal Albert at Wijnegem. From the outset the place because symbolic of radical transformation of industrial spaces in a marriage combining ancient and contemporary art, music and quality of life. Axel Vervoordt – antiques dealer, patron of the arts, decorator and philosopher – is a magician. Here we shall not attempt to go back over one of the most brilliant careers in Europe and the world. Nevertheless, without this burgeoning commercial activity, the three hectares that are being unveiled as a mock-up would doubtless never have seen their rebirth into a better life.

“Vervoordt Foundation” is opening on this land. It will stay there as the cornerstone of a cultural message that everyone can enjoy through exhibitions and concerts. In the Vervoordt family all tasks are shared fairly. Almost ten years ago, Dick was given the responsibility of managing family property assets. François Géhot, who runs project communications gave us the names of the architects, as there are several, designing three offices and two towns. They are Stéphane Beel based in Ghent, as well as the Bogdans and Van Broeck and the Cousse firm in Antwerp. Each of these firms was contacted according to their unique character to really make the most of the site in construction, renovation and integration terms. The «flagship” apartment, placed more than 40m high at the top of one of the silos, gives an explosive impression of the project outlook.

Thanks to the toil of workers who in past days would load the boats, next to what is still the great “Kanaal”, vast exhibitions displaying antique furniture will appear and transform many buildings. Vervoordt had been dreaming of this from the day he purchased the land. It was not a question of only setting up an antiques showroom, a residential space had to be created, a balanced union of accommodation, select commerce and discreet offices. Eleven years of reflection have gone by on eight large concrete silos erected in the sixties that the antique dealer saw becoming apartments. A block was reserved very early on to shelter a fabulous clock by Anish Kapoor. Its outer casing has been changed but it will remain there, like an oriental myth that will give the location an additional hint of magic. The

Dick Vervoordt explained the purpose of the project and his philosophy on it. “At the incept of the ‘Kanaal’, we were looking at how to create life and atmosphere on this industrial site. It was clear that we had to maintain some parts and introduce others. From 2001 we fashioned a ground plan to better frame the balance between family life, artistic expression and work. The idea remained to develop a little village that was open to the outside, accessible and convivial. So you will find a delicatessen, a baker’s, at least one doctor, a restaurant and other friendly, useful businesses. The aesthetics have been widely discussed. We had to keep some of the buildings from the 1880s-1890s (sixties for the silos) and blend in contemporary aspects that are traditional, sober, of good taste and out of the ordinary”.

The project will include 98 apartments over 25,000m², with a surface area of on average 200m². Prices will vary from €1,500 to €5,000 per m², depending on the location. 10,000m² of parking space is planned plus 5,000m² in office space. Not to forget the communal areas, access routes, walkways and courtyards as well as what already exists, an antiques exhibition space, the Kapoor space and the spaces reserved for the “Vervoordt Foundation”. “The operation is taking place with 50% lending from the banks”, Dick Vervoordt told us. “We chose the architects based on different criteria, across international competition”. The company “Vervoordt- r.e.” who is managing the project performed a feasibility study ten years ago already. We knew then that there was demand for a project of this scope. It has not varied. We want to meet the desires of people who no longer want a house, who wish to live in a unique setting where there is clear positive energy and facilities on hand to get out and about and meet people”. As you can guess, this place will be unlike others, not just because of the atmosphere – there is rarely accommodation with such space, in particular in height. Each zone had a different ambiance. The final aim is to create beauty. Architecture becomes emotion, a work of art.

Philippe Farcy

U Stokerijstraat 15, 2110, Wijnegem Tel. : 03355 38 00; mail: info@vervoordt-re.

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Real Estate

Législastion

Pour louer un kot à Bruxelles A Bruxelles, la transformation d’une maison unifamiliale en “kots” d’étudiants ou l’aménagement d’un “kot” d’étudiant chez soi suppose l’obtention d’un permis d’urbanisme préalable. En outre, pour pouvoir louer un “kot” d’étudiant, il faut obtenir un certificat de conformité (en cas

de superficie inférieure à 28 m2) à Bruxelles ! Le Code bruxellois du logement prévoit des normes élémentaires de sécurité (stabilité, électricité et gaz, chauffage), de salubrité (humidité, parasites, éclairage, aération, surface) et d’équipement (conduites, installations sanitaires, chauffage,..)

pour tous les logements loués. Le bailleur, qui souhaite s’assurer que son logement est bien conforme à ces normes, peut demander un certificat de conformité auprès du Service Régional de l’Inspection. Celui-ci fournira l’attestation après s’être rendu sur place afin de contrôler la conformité du logement à toutes les exigences en matière de sécurité, de salubrité et d’équipement. Une copie du certificat de conformité doit alors être remise au locataire. L’obtention d’une attestation de conformité est toutefois obligatoire, préalablement à la mise en location d’un logement meublé ou d’un logement dont la surface habitable ne dépasse pas 28 m2. Les kots rentrent souvent dans cette catégorie. Une copie de l’attestation de conformité doit être remise au locataire. L’attestation de conformité est valable 6 ans. Pour terminer, il faut encore un bail écrit pour la location d’une chambre destinée au logement d’un ou plusieurs étudiants.

****

U Consultez votre notaire pour des conseils sur mesure ou rendez-vous sur www.notaire.be.

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Diary 14 Cultural Real Estate

Why a tree house? Before a precise sketch and quote, we discuss what the clients wish to do with the barn and its size. The first criterion is rarely the price, even for those less well-off. Quite often my clients, now adults, want to translate what they dreamt of doing as children. For others, it’s a return to nature, enjoying the simpler side of life - having a drink on their barn’s veranda while the sun sets - spending time together, escaping from home by seeing their house - and their life - from a different angle. Today, demand is heading more and more towards an additional living room. But the smallest cabin that I have made is 3m², an order from a retired couple of dreamers that wasn’t just a shed to chuck the junk in… Consider a few thousand € for a garden shelter. Some models can vary from €10,000 to €25,000 depending on size, feel and complexity of the site (tree where it will perch etc.). “All inclusive, it will be around €1,000/m² on the ground. In a superstore, an ugly Swiss chalet style cabin is often delivered without paint, canopy or flooring… and with a plexiglass window. And it has to be maintained. The life cycle of one of my barns or cabins is guaranteed at at least 25 years with more elegant, attractive and lasting materials.”

Image: Wood shelter created in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, in a narrow garden typical of the town © Kazanou

Kazanou,

the great escape… at home g Founded by Vincent Matthys from Ukkel, this young firm is one of the only companies in Brussels to design tree houses. Their showroom is a graphic design workshop. Espousing modernity, the shop itself can only be found online… Between the Renault Yser dealership graded rotunda and the Maximilian teaching farm, Vincent Matthys invested in an old carpet showroom in 2005 to design around fifty recreational barns or tree houses. Aside from watercolour sketches painted on-site, the designer, who is an engineer by training, uses the most up-to-date techniques: computeraided design (CAO) and drawing (DAO). He has also erected pool houses, car ports and

IXELLES/FOREST – FOR SALE – A FEW STEPS FROM PLACE BRUGMANN – Superb townhouse of 550m² with carriage entrance, on land south of 2a 80ca. Very beautiful receptions area, 5/6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, study. Rear house of 70m². Very good potential. Réf. 3078

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even, in keeping with the ‘woodcabin’ idea… the waste collection warehouse of the old Cambre Woods ice rink.

A unique building At Place de l’Yser, the former showroom is a machining area – carpentry etc.… – materials and tools warehouse, graphic studio and reception. “ But almost no clients come here, they prefer that I go to them, where the work

Real Estate

will take place. With my tree houses and garden shelters, I only sell dreams: I am both the designer and craftsman creating childhood dreams.” For structures of between 12 and 20m² in size, depending on the region, you don’t need planning permission. But it must be a garden shelter and not built in the woods. In Brussels, Matthys’s creations are mainly to be found in Watermael-Boitsfort – the Sainte-Croix quarter opposite the racetrack – but also in a house in the Clos des Peupliers in Saint-Lambert, or even Woluwe-Saint-Pierre and Ukkel. “ When thinking of changing career when I had done what I wanted to do in technical sales, I started at home in Ukkel with a triple barn for personal use, with an island interior; then a tree house for my sons. I then did work for a friend and so on and so forth”. In this business, word of mouth and… consumerist imitation are essential. “I designed several shelters for a family in Binche where the brothers-in-law kept wanting a creation larger or with more character than the other - with a small bridge, perch etc. It’s like being an interior designer turning up on a housing estate. In the end, each

Exceptional location in the heart of the European quarter Exceptionally well-situated new apartments between Place Jourdan and Rond-Point Schuman, opposite Parc Léopold. The smart and modern style of “Vallée du Maelbeek” offers an exceptional opportunity to acquire 1-3 bedroom apartments and penthouses in a highly-desirable location - a cosy haven inside a friendly and historic neighbourhood. VISITING HOURS WEDNESDAY TO FRIDAY FROM 12PM TO 2 PM

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house has the same living room, but larger and more expensive.” In Woluwe, for example, the working drawing was completely different. Entirely cladded in Western Red Cedar – red wood for roofs and walls; the structure is in Northern pine –, the “Little Barn” decorates a typical little Brussels garden against a dividing wall. “It was an order from people of quite modest means who dreamt of a personalised barn, something other than a prefabricated build from a superstore to put away a lawn mower, spade and trowel.” ****

Philippe Golard

U Kazanou, place de l’Yser, 8 1000 Bruxelles. Magasin virtuel des chantiers, projets et réalisations sur www.kazanou.be Tél. : 02 201 90 34. BRUXELLES – ENTRE LOUISE ET CHÂTELAIN – Superbe penthouse (2006) de ± 210m² + 72m² de terrasses. Spacieuses réceptions, cuisine super équipée, 4 chambres, 2 salles d’eau, 2 caves, garage. Confort et standing au rendez-vous ! 790.000 € Réf.22930

réf 20423

WATERMAEL-BOITSFORT

PROXIMITÉ HIPPODROME DE BOITSFORT ET GARE RER – Dans quartier résidentiel, maison 3 façades de ± 220m². Agréable espace living/salle à manger en L, cuisine super équipée, 4 chambres, salle de bains, salle de douches. Elle dispose aussi de 2 bureaux, véranda, jardin ouest. Réf.18104 640.000 €

Shopping

Home sweet Home

Envie de vous recréer un nouveau cocoon afin de vous détendre après votre journée de travail ou d’inviter vos amis ? Eh bien, profitez-en, le mois d’octobre est propice aux changements. Relookez votre intérieur avec un nouveau tapis, une nouvelle lampe ou de nouveaux coussins. Seul mot d’ordre : « confort & convivialité ». Soyez bien chez vous en vous faisant tout simplement plaisir. Par Valérie Pétillon

1. Plaid rayé (100%laine) – Bo Concept. Prix sur demande. Infos : 02 648 42 50.

Prix: 119€

2. Tapis Siglo multicolore (100%laine) – Bo Concept. A partir de 329€. Infos : 02 648 42 50

3. Essuies de Vaisselle (coton bio) – Ferm Living. 15€. Infos : www.fermlivingshop.us

4. Sticker mural branche – Ferm Living. 99€. Infos : www.fermlivingshop.us 5. Lampadaire Main – Bo Concept. 299€. Infos : 02 648 42 50 6. Porcelaines (Peinture à la main) d’Anna Sykora from Berlin –

Mercredi Bruxelles. Plateau 220 €. Verre 60€. Vase 160€. Infos : 02 649 49 40

7. Plaids – Lucia Esteves. Plaid en laine tissé 645€. Plaid en laine pied de poule 375€. Plaid en laine et soie 375€ Infos : 02 644 24 35

8. Vase Elix - Pol Quadens. 180€. Infos : www.ovo-editions.com 9. Vase façon tronc d’arbre – Ferm Living. 45€. Infos : www.fermlivingshop.us 10. Bank in the Shape of a Pig Harry Allen – Hunting and Collecting Shop.

95€ €. Infos : www.huntingandcollecting.com

11. High Dining Table – Manutti . 1185 €. Infos : 056 645 625 12. Bougies Traditional (collection-cylinder) – Ilanga. Prix sur demande. Infos : www.ilanga-home.com

7 10 12 9

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DIGITAL-BURO c’est aussi un service technique avec des vrais spécialistes qui assurent l’entretien & la réparation de toutes vos machines de bureau « fax-imprimante-photocopieur ». Une équipe d’informaticiens qui peuvent intervenir en atelier ou en vos locaux sur tous les ordinateurs de bureau ou portables. La société DIGITAL-BURO s’inscrit dans le contexte de l’évolution technologique de l’informatique et de la bureautique qu’a connu le monde à partir des années 90.

Enrichie de l’expérience (20 ans) et du professionnalisme de son dirigeant dans ces domaines, DIGITAL-BURO s’est donné comme mission d’offrir à ses clients et partenaires des solutions intégrées pour les accompagner dans leur processus d’informatisation.

DIGITAL-BURO compte parmi les premières sociétés à investir dans le service afin d’exercer ce métier en tant que professionnel et grâce à son potentiel elle a su se distinguer par la qualité de ses prestations et se forger un bon positionnement par rapport à la concurrence.

chaussée de Ruisbroek 76 • 1180 Bruxelles • tél.: 02 538 35 35 site web: www.bruxelles.mobalpa.be

Diary 18 Cultural Shopping

14 13. Fauteuil Saint-Germain (structure et assise en bronze martelée avec dossier en cuir) – Christian Liaigre. 9611 €. Infos : www.christian-liaigre.fr

14. Dining Table (Collection Asti) – Manutti. 2950€. Infos : 056 645 625

15. Bird Cage déco – Ferm Living. 65€. Infos : www.fermlivingshop.us 16. Fauteuil “Paulistano” designer Paulo Mendes da Rocha - Mercredi Bruxelles. Version cuir végétal 1350 €. Infos : 02 649 49 40

17. Coussin rectangles de couleur (100%coton) – Bo Concept. 59€.

Infos : 02 648 42 50

18. Bongo Edition Art Friendly – Art Friendly Shop. 80€. Infos : www.artfriendly.net

19. Poof Zid Zid Kids – Design Public. 185€. Infos : www.designpublic.com

20. Bibliothèque UD – Pol Quadens. 1000€.

Infos : www.ovo-editions.com

21. Mug Tree – Ferm Living. 21€. Infos : www.fermlivingshop.us 22. Set de Salle de Bain Mette Ditmer – Lucia Esteves. Porte-Savon 25€. Gobelet 29€. Popusse-Mousse 39€. Infos : 02 644 24 35

23. Plaid Squares Blanket (100 % cotton) – Ferm Living. 105€. Infos : www.fermlivingshop.us

24. Bougies “Air de Rien “ Candle – Les Inséparables. 58€.

Infos : 02 347 73 23

25. Luminaire Ned – Pol Quadens. 400€.

Infos : www.ovo-editions.com

26. Essuies de Vaisselle (coton bio) – Ferm Living. 15€. Infos : www.fermlivingshop.us

23 25 26 24

Bienvenu au salon à Schuman

Shopping

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The best quality at the best prices

Conseils d’architectes d’intérieur créatifs

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Handmade italian shoes for men & women Chaussée de Charleroi 2e 1050 Bruxelles (proximité place Stéphanie)

Tel. & Fax 02 537 73 62 Opening hours monday to saturday 10.00 - 18.30 Closed on sunday

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Diary 20 Cultural Afterwork

Fancy a drink?

Something from Tennessee Jack Daniel’s, the legendary whisky from Tennessee is launching a special bottle to celebrate their 160th birthday. In red and black, it contains the famous Old N°7, the whisky that Jack Daniel conquered the world with. 50 special edition bottles only will be sold on the Belgian market from mid-October in a few specialist shops.

Hats off to the Basques! g A stone’s throw from the National Flemish Theatre,

El Txoko, tapas bar à la cool.

Go on, one for the road, a Lynchburg Lemonade: pour 1 measure of Jack Daniel’s and 1 measure of Cointreau in a large glass filled with ice cubes. Add lemonade and 2 slices of lemon… then cheers!

UBuyers can register their collectionable on www.jackdaniels.com with a unique code provided on the card attached to the bottle.

Happy birthday

Le Pain Quotidien, 20 years ago already…

… Alain Coumont opened his first shop in the Rue Antoine Dansaert because he couldn’t find any bread that he liked. This bakery – now in all 4 corners of the world – has covered a lot of ground since and has been able to set itself apart by giving special attention to ingredients and to savoirfaire. As proof, all products are organic. To celebrate this anniversary in style, from 26 to 28 October, Le Pain Quotidien is offering ten nostalgic products from 1990 naturally at the then price…

U www.lepainquotidien.com

We love these hangouts that bring vibe to an area, these snazzy joints that play the vanguard. If this sounds up your street then check out El Txoko – “the corner” in Basque –, an unpretentious restaurant in the Rue de Laeken. This area banks on the fascination generated by San Sebastian and its honest blue collar canteens where gourmet food takes a popular angle. El Txoko banks more specifically on pintxos. Lost in translation? Pintxos are tapas from the Spanish Basque country. Mainly, they are served on a piece of bread and use a series of more or less refined ingredients. At the time of day when one enjoys nibbling with greasy fingers, pintxos definitely hit the spot. There is no doubt about it, seeing as the owner of El Txoko first of all opened a successful restaurant in Antwerp – while we’re mentioning it, shall we take the bridge or the tunnel? OK, tunnel it is – before attempting the Brussels palaces.

La Laiterie La Laiterie (the Dairy) in Linkebeek has a sizeable asset – the fresh and spontaneous welcome. I must admit that over time, we attach increasing importance to a good welcome. Sitting down in a good mood, you feel ready for honest blue collar cuisine with quite successful authentic Belgian tones. We chose our meal on the meaty side, all meats with good texture and cooked beautifully. The unpretentious atmosphere invites relaxation and good times. €30 approximately a head.

U La Laiterie, Chaussée d’Alsemberg, 3 1630 Linkebeek. Tel +32 (0) 2 378 44 68

A healthy blend Before entering into mouth-watering descriptions, the first thing that gets you carried away is the atmosphere. It is not because of the décor, even if it draws no criticism whatsoever – it suits cosy meals among friends perfectly. Fun paintings, quirky lighting and an imposing counter – it’s like being in a revamped bistro. No, the atmosphere takes off with one of those blends that we love, French and Dutch speakers gathered around sunny tapas. We even think it’s a duty for French speakers to visit one of these more Flemish hangouts. Here we talk and see each other as people and no longer strangers. This fruitful blend is all the more pleasant on the back of tapas à la cool. As a starter you have a choice of cold pintxos laid out on the counter, mixing pimiento del piquillo, tuna, and jamon iberico… It’s good if not very refined. As a main, you chose between three raciones - larger portions. Personally, we opted for ham croquettes, aubergine baked a la plancha - okish - and garlic chicken thighs. The total came up to €25, including a glass of cava. Dessert? Good idea! For €5 extra we were served a little glass pot filled with a mix of strawberries preserved in Modena vinegar, little bits of brownie and a cherry soup. Not bad at all. We had just one regret - not having tasted Martin Berasategui’s Monstrell wines imported exclusively into Belgium. Next time.

****

Michalon URue de Laeken, 122 1000 Brussels. Open de 12pm to 2pm and 6pm to 10pm. Closed on Saturday lunchtimes and Sundays. Tel. +32 (0)2 203 10 22

Afterwork

Italian delectation g When you have a soft spot for Italian cuisine, you can only love an establishment that defends the colours with panache.

Drinking

Confederation Wines

When taste, varietal wines and large volumes are becoming globalised, Swiss wine is a hero in the resistance. In Switzerland, the land is a true mosaic with infinite complexity. Some producers who own at most 5 hectares are able to produce 14 different vintages. The blend of exposure, soil and above all autochthonous varietals such as Petite Arvine, Amigne, Païen or Gamaret, are a blessing for wine amateurs looking for diversity and new taste horizons.

U The address for Swiss wine: Winery, Place Brugmann, 18 – 1050 Ixelles. Tel +32 (0) 2345 47 17

Retrouvez les bons plans restos de Michalon dans La Tribune de Bruxelles et sur www.tribunedebruxelles.be

A delight at the counter The best way to do it is to arrive at lunchtime with a place reserved at the counter. From there you have an eye on the kitchen - a tantalising and inviting delight. When we visited we chose lunch at €25. Take note, this option is automatically advised by the chef, but there is also an Italian menu – with antipasti, primi, secondi…. – which is worth the detour. As a starter a brief but great quality mix of subalpine charcuterie – accompanied by a house ciabatta – an enchantment. As a main, Halleluiah! Arrabiata pasta garnished with ceps. A small wonder that is nothing like the usual comfort food. As a bonus, we were delighted to see the dish being made “live” from the mushrooms being brushed with love to the impeccable cooking of the pasta. As a dessert, having tasted the chocolate mousse and

Casa Gallo is a well-deserved reward. First of all you have to suffer Waterloo, a little town far from the centre that has sworn to become a large open air shopping centre. Then you have to have your eyes peeled. You can pass by this little establishment without noticing it a thousand times, as is what happened to us. It was during a conversation with a radio DJ who likes his food that the name Gallo was dropped. We don’t regret it for a second. Casa Gallo is presented like a deli – we should say a trattoria – that hides a few places at the counter as well as 5-6 tables for those in the know. The chef behind it all, as you may have guessed, is Salvatore Gallo. Sicilian born and bred – he remembers the time long ago when Galbani was a small lorry crossing his village – Salvatore took up residence in Belgium 35 years ago. During these 35 years he has worked a few prestigious tables from Comme Chez Soi to Bruneau, via the Villa Lorraine or the Bellini. Then, one day, he decided to take off on his own bat. He set up and made himself a name among connoisseurs so well that he has been able to revamp his place entirely with a cooking school upstairs.

the sabayon, we would advise opting for the latter. A small, agreeable selection of Tuscan wines by the glass (€5) to top it all off. Without a doubt, Casa Gallo sets the tone for all Italian restaurants!

Michalon

U Casa Gallo Chaussée de Bruxelles, 70 – 1410 Waterloo. Open from 12pm to 2:30pm and from 7pm to 10pm, shut on Sundays and Mondays. Tel +32 (0) 2 351 51 90

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22 Expats in Brussels

The 15 best photographers will receive a RestoPass, while their pictures may be selected to appear in the 2011-2012 edition of the “Expats in Brussels” guide. In addition, for the best picture, the winner will receive a bottle of Louis Roederer “Brut Premier” champagne for THE best picture. Competition rules: 1. Each picture must illustrate one of the following chapters of the Guide: Brussels - Capital Brussels - Accommodation Brussels – Everyday life Brussels - Business Brussels - Sport and wellbeing Brussels - Health Brussels - Social life Brussels - Shopping Brussels - With children Brussels - Going out Brussels - Culture Brussels - Education 2. By participating in the competition, you will allow Expats in Brussels to publish your picture in the 2011-2012 edition of the guide (your name will be mentionned). 3. Send a maximum of 2 pictures and your contact details BEFORE 20 NOVEMBER 2010 to florence@ expatsinbrussels.be 4. Minimum Resolution : 2500*1800 pixels.

Participate in Expats in Brussels’ photo competition

Markets in Saint-Gilles g Brussels is a city of “villages”. With its frequent markets, the exotic municipality of Saint-Gilles is one of them. Bruxelles est une ville faite de nombreux villages. Avec ses fréquents marchés, la commune très «exotique » de Saint-Gilles est l’un d’entre-eux. Every Sunday / Tous les dimanches

Every Thursday / Tous les jeudis

Marché du Midi

Marché de la place Horta

Place de la Constitution et/and Esplanade de l’Europe –More than 450 stalls selling food, vegetables, fruits, plants and clothing. The best place to find exotic products / Plus de 450 exposants de nourriture, fruits et légumes, plantes et habits. Vous y trouvez aussi les produits les plus exotiques.

Small market with about 10 stalls / Petit marché d’une dizaine de vendeurs.

U Open / Ouvert 06.00 – 13.00 It’s not always easy to find somewhere to park / Il n’est pas toujours facile d’y trouver un parking ( Metro Gare du Midi-Zuidstation)

Every Monday / Tous les lundis

Marché de la place Van Meenen In front of the city hall. Traditional products, food, plants, flowers, Italian, Spanish, French, bio … products / Au pied de la maison communale. Produits du terroir, nourriture, plantes, fleurs, produits bio, produits italiens, espagnol, français …An open air bio winebar / Un bar à vins bio en plein air

GASAP de Saint-Gilles (Groupe d’achat solidaire de l’agriculture payasanne/ Community supported agriculture groups) Citizens who set up groups that autonomously run a regular purchase of products from one or more local producers. It’s necessary to be a member / Groupe de citoyens qui s’associent avec un paysan producteur pour un achat groupé régulier. Il faut être membre.

U www.gasap.be Place Morichar, 55 Pick up times : every two Saturdays from / enlèvements un samedi sur deux entre 10.30 – 12.00

U Open / Ouvert 10.00 – 19.00 / (Metro Horta) (later during the summer / plus tard en été)

U Open / Ouvert 10.00 – 17.30 (Metro Gare du Midi-Zuidstation)

Every day except Monday / Tous les jours sauf lundi

Marché du Parvis Saint-Gilles One of the nerve centers of St Gilles. Fruits, vegetables, cheese, Polish, Moroccan, Italian products, bio products, mini snacks … / Un des centres nerveux de St Gilles. Fruits, légumes, fromage, produits italiens, marocains, polonais, produits bio, mini snacks …

U Open / Ouvert 05.00 – 13.00

Once a year / Une fois par an

La Foire des Vignerons U Place Van Meenen - Around / aux alentours du 21/03

Après le marché, after the market Maison du peuple

La Porteuse d’Eau

Parvis Saint-Gilles, 39 1060 Bruxelles Tel : 02/850 09 08

Avenue Jean Volders, 48 A 1060 Bruxelles Tel : 02/537 66 46

Bar – restaurant – concerts – expositions et leur réputé « Visual », bataille entre graphistes une fois par mois.

Brasserie typiquement bruxelloise avec un magnifique décor Art Nouveau.

U Open /Ouvert 08.30 – 24.00

U Open / Ouvert 1 1.00 – 23.00 (week-end 24.00)

Brasserie La Renaissance Avenue Paul De Jaer, 39 1060 Bruxelles Tel : 02/534 82 60 Existe depuis 1907. Un mélange d’Art Nouveau et de tradition.

U Open / Ouvert 09.00 – 24.00 Closed on Tuesdays

Join us on Facebook for more Brussels suggestions and tips on www.facebook.com/expatsinbrussels / Rejoignez-nous sur facebook, pour plus de trucs et astuces via www.facebook.com/expatsinbrussels

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