Series
society
society
Ivo Nieuwenhuis
7 min reading time
We Have Been Laughing at the News for Three Centuries
From the Haegse Mercury in 1697 to De Speld in 2022: how daring is Dutch satirical news?
society
Derek Blyth
2 min reading time
A Bridge too Far? The Seven Euro Bridges
Perhaps the most bizarre bridges ever built in the Netherlands can be seen in Spijkenisse.
Series
Tour of Flanders
society
Lode Delputte
10 min reading time
Humour in 2022: Battleground and Minefield
Humour is right there in the boxing ring of our society. So, there is much more to jokes and witticisms than just getting a laugh. But how does humour relate to power?
society
Derek Blyth
18 min reading time
The Leuven Is Easy
On a visit to the university town of Leuven, Derek Blyth discovers one of Europe’s smartest cities, some of Belgium’s best bars and a walk that takes you to the edge of time.
Series
Battle for Laughter
society
Edo Dijksterhuis
6 min reading time
‘Normal’ Does Not Exist at the Haarlem Museum of the Mind
The psychiatry museum in Haarlem reinvented itself as a Museum of the Mind. It earned the institution the 2022 Museum of the Year Award.
society
Derek Blyth
13 min reading time
A Sea Change in Ostend
On a visit to the Flemish coastal town of Ostend, Derek Blyth discovers grand architecture, a world-famous soul singer and the perfect shrimp croquette.
The L-Spot
society
Republic of Amsterdam Radio
1 min reading time
Cubes and Pyramids: Peculiar Architecture in the Low Countries
In this podcast, we cast our view on a few of the most striking, unique or just plain weird buildings that can be found in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Series
Brussels Lab
Series
The DNA of the Netherlands
arts
Mélanie Huchet
6 min reading time
Globe Aroma: A Third Place for Artists from Elsewhere
Globe Aroma provides support to refugees, migrants and illegal immigrants in their art whilst giving them the opportunity to discover a wide range of cultural offerings in Brussels.
society
Derek Blyth
12 min reading time
Mad about Geel
On a trip to Geel, Derek Blyth discovers a murdered Irish saint, a community that cares for strangers, and a mellow city that is simply crazy about reggae.
history
Géry Leloutre
8 min reading time
Brusselisation, Both an Urban Phenomenon and a Historical Milestone
The post-war transformation of Brussels was a traumatising experience for a large proportion of its population.
society
Emilie van Haute
7 min reading time
Why Brussels Needs to Rethink Its Governance
Social and political changes are forcing Brussels to rethink its governance. But there is little room to manoeuvre.
society
Derek Blyth
16 min reading time
Ode to Mechelen
On a trip to Mechelen, Derek Blyth discovers lost mediaeval rivers, Beethoven’s Flemish roots and the world’s oldest carillon school.
history
Lotte Jensen
4 min reading time
Famines Are Part of Our Living Past
The impending famine caused by the war in Ukraine recalls previous famines: in Ireland, in Ukraine itself, but also in the Low Countries.
society
Derek Blyth
2 min reading time
The Belgian Roots of the American Protestant Church of The Hague
The American Protestant Church of The Hague was originally built for the 1958 World's Fair in Brussels.
history
Lotte Jensen
4 min reading time
Benefit Campaigns for Ukraine Fit Into a Historical Tradition
Charity has a long tradition in the Netherlands and the actions for Ukraine show many parallels to past events.
society
Paul De Hert
6 min reading time
The Threat Is Approaching from All Sides Now
According to journalist Huib Modderkolk, the Belgian and Dutch governments are taking nowhere near enough protective measures against digital hacking and sabotage.
society
Derek Blyth
11 min reading time
Don’t Worry, Be Hasselt
On a trip to the capital of the Belgian province of Limburg, Derek Blyth finds comforting food, innovative architecture and 25 places to be happy.
society
Republic of Amsterdam Radio
1 min reading time
Sinners and Saints: Faith and Religion in the Low Countries
In this podcast, you will discover why the story of religion in the Low Countries is much more layered than claiming that the Netherlands is a Calvinist society and Belgium a Catholic one.
society
Derek Blyth
15 min reading time
Horsing Around in Vilvoorde
Derek Blyth discovers a monument to an English martyr, a traditional horsemeat restaurant and a waterfront that looks like Brooklyn.
