Brussels in English

An intersection for river barges, trams, buses, cars, lorries, bicycles, scooters, and pedestrians, the Place Sainctelette is being completely redone to give each mode of transport its own space. And nearby, with a stunning view of the canal and the vintage apartment buildings, is Bsaha Cafe. Staff member Anas Al-Qadouri gives us the details. https://www.instagram.com/bsahacafe_off/

The Design Museum Brussels is presenting the touring exhibition "Skateboard from the Design Museum London. The show explores in detail the development of  skateboard design over seventy years, focusing on the technological, performative and aesthetic evolution of the skateboard. Curator Jonathan Olivares tells us what it took to make the show a reality. Through 14/09/2025 https://www.brusselsmuseums.be/en/museums/design-museum-brussels

The Brussels International Film Festival (BRIFF) is presenting its 8th edition. Co-founder Céline Masset tells us about the wide variety of types of movies that have been assembled for this year's edition. 20 to 28 June briff.be/en/

After being closed for 18 months the KBR (Royal Library of Belgium) Museum is reopening with a fascinating new feature. Visitors will now be able to hear the music of the 15th and 16th centuries while they look at illuminated manuscripts of the same period. Sara Lammens, General Director of the Royal Library gives us the details. www.kbr.be/en/museum/

The Royal Museum of  Art and History has completed its most important renovation in 25 years with a major display of its Art Nouveau and Art Deco collection as well as the 19th century artworks that paved the way for the two movements. Many of the objects have never been seen by the general public. Curator Werner Adriaenssens tells us what is in store for the visitor. The weekend of June 13th admission will be free. www.artandhistory.museum/en

In the Dansaert district of Brussels in the 1980s, Sonja Noël was the first. to open a store dedicated to Belgian fashion. For 40 years, through her STIJL boutique, Sonja has been translating contemporary Belgian fashion into everyday fashion wear. By supporting new brands and young designers, STIJL has played an essential part in writing the story of fashion in the city, The Fashion and Lace Museum is currently presenting a show dedicated to the boutique curated by Sonja's daughter Anja. We spoke with Anja about the retrospective. fashionandlacemuseum.brussels 

There's a new museum in Brussels, the Friet Museum which aims to let everyone know everything there is to know about the Belgian Fry. Communications Director Peggy van Lierde introduces us to all the features of this surprisingly detailed but also very light-hearted look at the iconic Belgian food. https://www.frietmuseum-brussels.be/eng/home

One of the top must visit museums in Brussels the van Buuren Museum and Gardens is celebrating its fifty years as a museum and the 100 years of the art Deco movement with a brand new exhibition: AROUND ART DECO Interbellum sculptures. Curator Manon Magotteaux tells us what it is all about. https:///www.museumvanbuuren.be

Alice Gallery is celebrating 20 years as part of the Brussels art scene with a move to a new location and an anniversary show featuring 25 artists. Co-founders Alice van den Abeele and Raphaël Cruyt give us a recap on their twenty years of glocal gallery ownership and on the recent demise of their wonderful ten year old museum the MIMA (Millennium Iconoclast Museum of Art.) https://www.alicebxl.com/

EntreprendreBruxelles wants you to know about all the great shops, restaurants and services available in Brussels City. They recently held an event at city hall where we spoke with Project Manager Katia Jacques-Serres as well as representatives of some of the businesses. www.entreprendrebruxelles.be www.ondernemenbrussel.be

The House of European History's latest exhibition Presence of the Past - A European Album, gives us an innovative look at how Europeans interact with their past. Curator Simina Bădică, explains how the photo exhibition comprising 27 photographic projects from 14 countries lets us see the many different ways people deal with the past. http://historia.europa.eu/

It's time for the 28th edition of the Brussels Short Film Festival (BSFF) bringing us the best in short films from around the world with an accent on freedom. Co-founder Céline Masset brings us up to date on what's in store. www.bsff.be

The Fondation Folon has a new show entitled Drawing Room featuring 150 works of art by Folon and eleven artists who inspired him. The exhibition is an intimate look at the creative process. Exhibition director Pauline Loumaye tells us what we can expect to experience both in the show and at the foundation's magnificent estate. Through 31 August. https://fondationfolon.be

Among the many many film festivals that take place in Brussels and Belgium, the Festival Kinolatino stands out for its purpose, which is to bring Latin American movies in all their forms to Belgium where they are not distributed. Festival organizer and film maker César Diaz tells us what to expect. 11 to 19 April 2025 https://kinolatino.be/

With spring busting out all over, bike rides in the countryside so close to Brussels come to mind. Of the many choices available, Zafi Cycles offers a unique bicycle. All their frames are made entirely of wood which means that the ride is extra comfortable due to the anti-vibration properties of wood which is great news for cobblestone rides. Founder Simon Malvaux explains his product. www.zaficycles.be