This is Belgium

Panique à la Basiliek

2013-06-17T22:29:00.003+02:00

Panique à la Basiliek from Dimitri Strobbe on Vimeo.

After showing Marc Van Cauwenbergh's colorful paintings, I am thrilled to share with you the work of two Brussels amateur video makers, Dimitri and Graham. I love their short film "Panique à la Basiliek" and hope you will too. The Basilica of Koekelberg, in the Northern part of Brussels, is one of the largest art deco churches in the word. http://www.basilicakoekelberg.be/documents/home.xml?lang=en http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_of_the_Sacred_Heart,_Brussels

Marc Van Cauwenbergh

2013-06-15T22:19:00.001+02:00

Friends of the painter invited me to accompany them to the Brussels' opening of Marc Van Cauwenberg's exhibition "Champs colorés", tonight in Brussels' rue Haute, close to the Sablon.
Marc, who is originally from Belgium, has lived in New York City since 1994.
This reviewer eloquently describes Marc's work.
http://www.re-title.com/artists/marc-vancauwenbergh.asp: "At ease with his visual vocabulary, Van Cauwenbergh succeeds in capturing a variety of expressions as his works can range from almost soothingly serene to dramatically fierce. What prevails, no matter what the sentiment, is Van Cauwenbergh’s keen understanding of restrained gesture. In his world less is more and so he sends his images off to materialize in front of each viewer as a unique mirage".
I very much enjoyed his work, with its thin intricate layers of oil paint and an absolutely gorgeous color palet, as I hope you can tell from what I am showing here. It was also pretty cool to meet Marc, who in addition to being a talented artist, is an interesting and sympathetic man.
If you are in town, I highly recommend you make it a point to see Marc's works.

CHAMPS COLORÉS

Marc VAN CAUWENBERGH
Peinture / Schilderijen
Gérald VATRIN
Verre / Glaskunst

15.06 > 27.07.2013
Vernissage:
zaterdag 15 juni van 15 tot 19 uur
le samedi 15 juin à partir de 15 h

MH Gallery, Hoogstraat 11 Rue Haute, 1000 Brussels

Contact: Mathilde Hatzenberger
Tél : 00 32 2 611 51 70 / Mob 00 32 478 84 89 81
mh@mathildehatzenberger.eu
www.mathildehatzenberger.eu Mathilde Hatzenberger Gallery, www.mathildehatzenberger.eu
http://marcvancauwenbergh.net/

Madame Chapeau

2013-06-14T17:48:00.001+02:00

Madame Chapeau, a fictif and famous character of folklore, used to be performed on a regular basis in Brussels theater. While the role was traditionally given to male artists,
"she" has been honored by the city of Brussels as a bronze sculpture by artist Tom Frantzen decorates one of the rue du Midi street corners.

The litteral translation in English of the bilingual commemorative plaques reads:

"Madame Chapeau"
Famous character in one of the mascot plays
of the Royal Gallery Theatre
"Bossemans and Coppenolle",
which showed the sporting competition
between the football teams
the Saint Gilles Union and
the Daring Club of Brussels.

Sculpture by artist Tom Frantzen

Maroesjka Lavigne

2013-06-12T21:29:00.003+02:00

Congratulations to Maroesjka Lavigne, winner of the Grand Prize of Lens Culture

STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS 2013

"Maroesjka Lavigne (b.1989, Belgium) gained her masters in Photography at Ghent University in the summer of 2012. Her work has been shown at the Foam Talent exhibition in Amsterdam, Netherlands, The Photoacademy award in Den Haag, Netherlands, and 44 gallery in Bruges, Belgium. For ‘ísland’, the project Lavigne made in 2012, she spent four months in Iceland, driving on her own through the desolate snow-covered and blossoming landscapes of winter and spring, looking for those moments when colour, light and the subject merge into the perfect image. She self-published this work as a book (200 copies) called ‘ísland’. She is currently living and working in Ghent, Belgium".

http://www.maroesjkalavigne.be/about/

http://lensculture.com/

City parking

2013-06-11T09:09:00.002+02:00

Parking in Brussels is a daily challenge. Some do find an inventive solution and get by. Others, like our Italian friend here, were not that fortunate.

Sunday biking

2013-06-09T15:03:00.003+02:00

When the weather is nice, this is what people do here or at least what I see people doing, all over Belgium, on Sunday afternoons, in all forms and shapes... . Is it for fun, sports, exercise, leisure, pleasure, socializing? Does it really matter?

Raymond in Bruges

2013-06-07T12:12:00.000+02:00

I not often recommend restaurants, shops, bakers etc. because so many bloggers out there do that better than I ever could. I did, however, enjoy Brasserie Raymond so much that I can't wait to show and tell and make an exception. I wish I had paid attention when I was snapshotting around but this will hopefully give you an idea.

If you visit Bruges, do yourself a favor and visit Raymond. A few steps from the breathtakingly beautiful market, you feel relaxed and at home while you enjoy "contemporary and popular luxury where nothing is left to chance because quality is the motto.. anyone who manages to find a seat on the terrace, when the weather is nice, feels like a King"

http://www.brasserie-raymond.be/index.asp?langue=EN&DocID=142979

Introducing Marilyn & Josephine

2013-06-05T17:41:00.000+02:00

I would like to introduce my readers and viewers to Marilyn and Josephine, two young Belgian ladies who are sharing experiences between Antwerp and Tel Aviv. They are the authors of a fantastic blog by the same name. What follows below (picture and text) is copied / pasted from their site. Hope you'll enjoy!

http://www.marilynjosephine.com/

Marilyn was born in Antwerp, Belgium. In college, she earned a Masters Degree in Philosophy and then worked as a concert promoter for Live Nation Belgium. In 2007 she moved to sunny Tel Aviv, Israel to work as a freelance event planner, producer and concert organizer under “Live on Mars”. She promoted many international shows including Leonard Cohen, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Bob Dylan and Elton John. She also toured the world with Leonard Cohen so don’t be surprised if she mentions Camp Cohen a lot. Coming from an artistic and passionate musical family, Marilyn also plays piano and sometimes she even dares to perform on a stage. More recently she saw her passion and talent grow in creating collages, crafting, DIY, knitting and sewing for the “Life on Mars” collections. Marilyn fell in love with Tel Aviv and has been sharing that love ever since.

Sien Josephine was born some 28 years ago in Lier (Belgium). She actually graduated from law school a few years ago. She started her internship at a firm and decided not to become a lawyer! Instead, she made mingling a profession till she bumped into her current boss and continued her career as a production assistant at Dagcasting. Being freed from the grown also did wonders for her creativity. Sien bought a camera and started the blog with dearest friend Marilyn about their lives between Antwerp and Tel Aviv. Being a huge food-fan, Josephine is very passionate about cooking and baking. Her big loves are writing (Mister Moleskine), Brian Ferry and her camera

The Monk

2013-06-02T21:10:00.002+02:00

The Monk café, closed for a year, is back in business. The new guys made sure that the reopening did not go unnoticed, which at the same time made it impossible - I did not even try- to get into the café itself. I wanted to take photos of the "Art Déco" billiard room, the remodeled interior, the green ceiling and the white metro tiles....
http://www.agendamagazine.be/en/blog/monk

Car-iphoneography #4 Brussels South train station

2013-05-31T13:30:00.003+02:00

Traveling by train is fun. Brussels has three main train stations: North, Central and South (Midi). If you happen to travel to Belgium from abroad by train, you most likely will end up at Brussels Midi because it is an important European hub and served by Thalys, Eurostar and TGV. Also from Midi, depart busses to the international airport Brussels South in Charleroi. Unfortunately, however, the traveler's first impression of our nation's capital will not be his/her brightest or liveliest.
http://www.brussels.info/train-stations/

Lkff Gallery in Brussels

2013-05-28T09:17:00.001+02:00

Exactly as it is spelled out on the website, I was kind of automatically drawn into gallery Lkff, a few steps from Brussels' Avenue Louise: "the gallery is an open window to the world of form and 3D expression. LKFF purposely chose a location that has optimal accessibility and where the full exhibition can be seen from outside the gallery, urging passers-by to walk in and take a closer look."
It was a great pleasure to meet Mijntje Lukoff, who showed me more in detail the installation by Fred Penelle & Yannick Jacquet.

Address

LKFF Art and Sculpture Projects
Rue Blanche, nr 15 - 1050 Brussels
Belgium

Contact us

Mijntje Lukoff
+32 2 345 92 26
info@lkff.be

http://www.lkff-sculptures.com/

Brussels Jazz Marathon

2013-05-26T16:20:00.002+02:00

What a decor for the Jazz Marathon! May 24-26.
http://www.brusselsjazzmarathon.be/

TiB travelled to Menton, France

2013-05-25T11:45:00.001+02:00

More than once it happened that I wanted to share pictures taken abroad because I met people somewhere else than in Belgium and felt like introducing them here. First one of the series is the lady I met at the flea market in Menton, South of France not far from the border with Italy.
Tell me, is it okay with you to go peek outside of the borders from time to time?

Modernism in Ghent, till June 30

2013-05-23T22:11:00.000+02:00

I enjoyed this exhibition in Ghent so much that I hope that everyone who lives in or near Ghent or who is traveling to Belgium in June will take the opportunity to visit this major event. It is well worth your time and I can guarantee you that you will thoroughly enjoy.. if you love abstract art.

" BELGIAN ABSTRACT ART AND EUROPE (1912-1930)

In this first major retrospective exhibition of Belgian modernism around 1920 for more than twenty years, Belgium’s historical avant-garde will be illustrated through visual and applied art, architecture, typography, photography, films, music, literature and theatre. Belgian protagonists like Marthe Donas, Jozef Peeters, Jules Schmalzigaug, Victor Servranckx and Georges Vantongerloo will be juxtaposed with foreign contemporaries like László Moholy-Nagy, Vassily Kandinsky, Fernand Léger, Kurt Schwitters and Theo Van Doesburg". see http://www.mskgent.be/en/exhibitions/belgian-modernism/belgian-modernism

The coast

2013-05-21T18:23:00.002+02:00

Our Belgian coast is a delight for the the eye (of the amateur photographer...). I know I have said so before..
http://whatisbelgium.blogspot.be/2012/07/belgian-coast.html

Imany and Praline

2013-05-19T14:04:00.002+02:00

This was a photo opportunity at the Belgian coast that was too good to pass up. Hope you all agree. Imany was thrilled to be photographed holding tiny Praline while waiting for her mother, who was shopping in the store shown in the background. Luckily, her mother came to check on her just long enough for me to get a comfortable OK from mom too.

The Sequence in front of the Flemish Parliament in Brussels

2013-05-15T11:36:00.000+02:00

A lot of controversy in this morning papers. An article by Brussels based correspondent of the French paper Libération, bearing the title: "Bruxelles pas Belle", was asking for it... Not much more is needed to get the ball rolling ... Belgium's Le Soir came with: "Bruxelles, ma belle, je te rejoins bientôt". Brussels' politicians are reacting on Facebook and I feel like saying "here we go again"....
Perfect timing to show the structure by Belgian artist Arne Quinze signs who signs for: “THE SEQUENCE", meant to "bridges the communication gap between people and generates movement in the city. I want to reconnect people and let them interact with each other like they did in the past on squares. At least people talked to each other then.” Therefore concrete elements serve as the basis for the sculpture. It gives people a moment to reset their minds and think about what’s going on in those two buildings. The physical connection between neighbors, the Flemish Parliament and the House of Flemish Representatives reflects the possible connection between all neighbors in Brussels. Cross-culture connections, a connection with Europe, its diversity and entity".
http://www.thesequence.be/SEQUENCE_BLOG/
http://www.liberation.fr/monde/2013/05/13/bruxellespas-belle_902564
http://www.lesoir.be/242798/article/debats/cartes-blanches/2013-05-15/bruxelles-ma-belle-je-te-rejoins-bientot

Brussels seen by Hanna

2013-05-13T11:41:00.000+02:00

Isn't it interesting to see your own city through the eyes of a first time visitor? These absolutely fantastic Brussels photos were made during the weekend by Hanna from Stuttgart: in the distance the Grand Place, on the side the Royal library Albertina, the Mont des Arts. Thank you Hanna for sharing your impressions. More to come.
http://www.montdesarts.com/en/49
http://www.kbr.be/

Happy Mother's day!

2013-05-11T23:34:00.000+02:00

Roses for all you readers out there on Mother's Day.

I was not entirely sure who celebrates Mother's Day when - outside Belgium, of course, so ... I googled. It turns out that all of the following countries celebrate it on the Second Sunday of May.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother's_Day

Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda Aruba Australia Austria Bahamas Bangladesh Barbados Belgium Belize Bermuda Bonaire Botswana Brazil Brunei	Canada Cambodia Chile^[17] People's Republic of China†^[18] Colombia Croatia Cuba^[19] Curaçao Cyprus Czech Republic^[20] Denmark	Dominica Ecuador Estonia Ethiopia Fiji Finland Germany Ghana Greece Grenada Guyana Honduras Hong Kong Iceland India	Italy Jamaica Japan Kurdistan Latvia Liberia Liechtenstein Macao Malaysia Malta Myanmar Netherlands New Zealand Pakistan Papua New Guinea Peru^[21]	Philippines Puerto Rico Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa Singapore Sint Maarten Slovakia^[20] South Africa^{[citation needed]} Sri Lanka Suriname	Switzerland Taiwan Tanganyika Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Turkey Uganda Ukraine United States Uruguay Vietnam Venezuela Zambia Zimbabwe

And while at it, I stumbled upon the Huffington post which is lending a helping hand by providing ready made cards to be printed and claimed as your own, such as

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/11/mothers-day-ideas_n_3253502.html

L'intemporelle

2013-05-11T12:43:00.001+02:00

pictures taken with iphone
"The tiny but lovely restaurant, L’Intemporelle, is located just a few steps away from Place Brugmann. A hotchpotch of tables, chairs and other furniture and colourfully painted walls make diners feel a million miles away from the dreary weather of Brussels.
An assortment of paintings, drawings and photographs on the walls adds to the overall style.
At L’Intemporelle you can enjoy traditional French cuisine with an emphasis on fresh produce. The chef does his own shopping at the local fruit and vegetable market and refuses to let anyone else anywhere near the oven. The menu changes daily but the house specialities are always available: three fish tartare and bass in saffron sauce .
L’Intemporelle is even more charming on sunny days. In the blink of an eye, an enormous terrace is set up for diners under the shady trees of Avenue Lepoutre with a wonderful view of Place Brugmann".
http://uk.eurostar.com/uk/travel-to-belgium/travel-to-wallonia/travel-to-brussels/restaurants/l-intemporelle-idp-3251841

Today's procession in Bruges

2013-05-09T09:22:00.001+02:00

picture: visitbruges.be

Today, Ascension day, is for Bruges the highlight of the year, the most beautiful and spectacular day. I am therefore reposting a photo and entry by Visit Bruges. "The Procession of the Holy Blood, that dates back to at least 1304, takes place in Bruges every year on Ascension Day. Although there have been many changes over the centuries, the heart of the event is the reenactment of the passion and resurrection of Jesus Christ".
And.... great, glorious weather to boot!
Have some of you attended this event in the past? Anyone planning on being there today?

http://visitbruges.be/event/heilig-bloedprocessie#main, https://www.facebook.com/VisitBruges

Deima

2013-05-07T18:29:00.002+02:00

It has been a while since I posted people's portraits. The sight of Deima who was shopping with her friend (still in the shop) and having a lunch-break sandwish (hidden in her bag for the photo) reminded me that it was time.
Thanks Deima for being such a fantastic model for TiB!

Your chance to vote!

2013-05-03T21:10:00.002+02:00

A wonderful surprise indeed .. the nomination we got in the category "voyage" of the blog award competition organized by Vif Weekend.

And of course, now that we are this far, why not give us a bit of an extra push? You can simply vote by clicking on the link below.

Moreover, as Graham made this awesome banner to mark the occasion, it is extra easy for all of you to vote and share this post on Facebook or Twitter! Thank you, Graham, and thank ALL of you! ;) Deadline = May 10.

Vote here:

Weekend Blog Awards

May 1

2013-05-01T10:58:00.001+02:00

On the first day of May, a holiday ( Labor Day), the tradition is to give a bouquet of a few Lily of the Valley (" muguet" in French - "meiklokje" in Dutch) to mark spring and to wish good luck to your loved ones, family and friends.
Today, the flowers are everywhere; street vendors offer them at a not so interesting price.. only today, idem in flower shops. They are on tables in restaurants and street cafés, in peoples hands, hats or hair or in men's lapels.
I have been lazy this morning and not been out yet. I hope you forgive my just posting a picture from the net...
"As the story goes, on the first of May 1561, King Charles of France—who was ten at the time—was presented with a fragrant bunch of muguet: the delicate green sprigs capped with tiny white bells that we know as lily of the valley. It was a gesture signifying luck and prosperity, which so touched the king, he continued the tradition by giving the sweet-smelling blossoms to the ladies of his court each year on the same day". http://www.vogue.com/vogue-daily/article/lily-of-the-valley/#1

Belgian draft horses

2013-04-28T22:00:00.002+02:00

Photo taken by Alexandra Winand
We received a few wonderful Belgian related photos by Alexandra Winand and are so delighted that she is willing to share them on this blog as well as on This is Belgium's facebook group. I particularly like her Belgian draft horses.
If you want to find out more about this breed, originally from the Brabant region of Belgium, check out
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgian_horse
or
http://ruralheritage.com/horse_paddock/breeds1.htm
Alexandra has more to show, such as pictures from a school in Mons, another true beauty but closed since 1990...
Stay tuned.