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Mussels, Magritte and Maeterlinck: The Universal “Belgitude” of Stromae
25 January 2023
That Jacques Brel has been an inspiration to him is well-known, but Stromae also has connections to other phenomena and figures from the Belgian collective imagination: from fries and mussels to Maurice Maeterlinck and René Magritte. Stromae expresses and depicts the diversity of Belgian society th
Belgium Denounces Its Colonial Past, and the Netherlands Lags Behind
12 December 2022
For decades the Netherlands has been wrestling with its colonial past in Indonesia. Now there is a research report that shows that the armed forces used extreme, structural violence during the Indonesian independence struggle of 1945-1949. Belgium has also researched its colonial history but has tak
How Belgium Helped Shape the British Identity
12 August 2022
From Waterloo to the Westhoek, the Belgian soil is full of British corpses. Professor of English Literature and Culture Marysa Demoor has explored the very close links between the two nations; links that could even be considered decisive in the development of British identity. The relationship was n
PRE-PUBLICATION LEOPOLD’S LEGACY – Belgium’s Enduring Imprint of Empire
7 April 2020
In his artistic practice photographer Oliver Leu (b. 1976) is concerned with questioning religion, the construction of history, the abuse of power and the consequences of colonial pasts. Since 2014 he has developed these ideas in his project on Leopold II, for which he is researching and photographi
Belgium Is Europe in Miniature
6 April 2020
Belgium has an interim minority government to deal with the corona crisis. The emergency has exacerbated the division in the country. Will Belgium fall apart, or is it actually a laboratory for Europe?
Cultural Attaché Hanna Oosterbaan in Brussels: ‘We Challenged Ourselves to Go off the Beaten Track’
16 March 2020
The Cultural Attaché is a series of interviews by DutchCulture, the Dutch network and knowledge organisation for international cultural cooperation, with cultural attachés of the Netherlands. How do these attachés help Dutch art and culture? What were their expectations when they were posted abro
Liberation of Belgium: More than ‘Cigarettes for Dad’ and ‘Chocolates for Mummy’
5 September 2019
The commemorative ceremonies marking the liberation of Belgium, 75 years ago by now, spark memories of a joyful age in which friendly tanks triumphantly rolled down the streets. The unbridled enthusiasm Belgians witnessed back then is magnified today, and re-enacted here and there. However, those re
Shelling Out: A Unique Belgian Phenomenon
15 July 2019
Derek Blyth takes you on micro adventures to L-Spots, hidden and exciting places in the Low Countries. This week he points out a unique Belgian phenomenon: the trade in paper beach flowers.
Belgium: a Consistent Cultural Partner for Dutch Artists
5 July 2019
According to DutchCulture, Dutch cultural export to Belgium remains high. The proximity, shared language and history make it easy for Dutch artists to find their way to their neighbour.
The Treaty of Versailles: Harbinger of Peace and Source of Frustration
26 June 2019
On 28 June 1918, exactly one hundred years ago, the treaty that would finally end World War I was signed in Versailles. That peace treaty would redraw the map of Europe. Belgium, which had suffered greatly during the war, left for Versailles with a heart full of hope, but was forced to leave nearly
Belgium and the Netherlands Officially Divorced 180 Years Ago
17 April 2019
On 19 April, Belgium officially celebrates its 180th anniversary. This is not entirely correct, because of course Belgium was founded as early as 1830, when, after a revolution, it separated itself from the United Kingdom of the Netherlands (1815-1830). But with the signing of the Treaty of London o
‘It’s Time to Finally Discover the Historical Truth’
15 April 2019
It is clear that there has been renewed interest in Belgian Congo since the end of the 20th century. A young, progressive generation is genuinely interested in Belgium’s colonial past, mainly because they realise that the origin of today’s racism can often be found in this period.
