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Europe’s biggest graffiti wall along tram station De Wand

admin — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 17:12:05 +0000

The largest fresco of Belgium can now be admired along the walls of the De Wand tram station in Laeken. Just a stone’s throw from the Atomium along tramway lines 4, 19 and 23 the De Wand station is a symbolic crossing point between the suburbs and the city of Brussels. Entitled “The Walk”, this massive work of art was created by 30 graffiti artists from Belgium and beyond was part of a grant from the Brussels’ region for the renovation of public spaces and has grown over the years to become Europe’s biggest graffiti wall with it 4500 square meters. The total cost of the project was of 200 000€ where 30 artists worked for 9 days and no less than 6000 spray paint cans were used during the process.

Photos of mural art along tram station De Wand (Location):

Brosella Folk and Jazz Festival in Osseghem Park

admin — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 22:29:47 +0000

The open-air Green Theatre in Laeken’s Osseghem Park, hosted this year again the 34th edition of the free and annual Brosella Folk & Jazz Festival. Twenty concerts are spread over two days and featured in this lovely leafy-green setting. The first day is dedicated to folk musicians and the second to jazz. The pictures are taken on the second day and feature the Avishai Cohen Quintet. More information about the festival itself can be found here.

Photos of Brosella Folk and Jazz Festival (location):

Nuestros Silencios by Rivelino in Brussels Louise

admin — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 19:22:32 +0000

After Madrid and Lisbon, Brussels is next in hosting from April 21 to July 15, the 2010 Mexican traveling exhibition Nuestros silenciosa. Made by sculptor and artist Rivelino it was launched to promote the bicentennial anniversary of Mexico’s independence. Composed of 10 busts in bronze and an 11th, special “touch” box for the blind it’s theme is about Freedom of expression.

Photos of Mural art at Place Poelaert (location):

Mural art at Place Poelaert

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 18:40:28 +0000

I liked the illusion created by this mural of an extra pair of windows on the walls of this Artisanal leatherwork shop. I stumbled into it after the elevator ride that connects the ville haute and ville basse of Brussels (the Upper Town and lower Town) on the corner of rue de l’épée and Rue Haute.

Photos of Mural art at Place Poelaert (location):

Parc Félix Hap

admin — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 16:39:23 +0000

Some things just manage to keep a low profile and remain hidden little gems which surely could describe the Felix Hap park. Although located in a very urban part of Brussels and tucked away behind a wall, the Parc Félix Hap is one of the best kept secrets of Etterbeek. Considered by many the the most beautiful park of the commune it was originally a family mansion that was donated in 1988 to the public. The garden today retains it’s peacefull quiet quaint charm and is very inviting to visitors.

Photos of Parc Félix Hap in Etterbeek (location):

Tribute to Hergé fresco by Mezzo in Laeken

admin — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 18:04:08 +0000

Mural art realized by Mezzo, the creator of the King of the Flies comic strip illustrations as a tribute to Hergé. Mezzo of his real name Pascal Mesemberg was born in Drancy in 1960. At the age of 17, he began his career by sending illustrations in various magazines and graphzines Paris where he published his first comic strip in Métal Aventure and then collaborated with Zoulou and L’Écho des Savanes. After becoming famous working with Michel Pirus in 1989 he moved to Paris where he contributes regularly to the journal de Mickey as an illustrator and realizes the covers for Stephen King’s Librio collection novels. He also still publishes short stories in L’Écho des Savanes with his accomplice Pirus.

Photos of Tribute to Hergé fresco by Mezzo in Laeken (location):

Zinneke Parade

admin — Sun, 30 May 2010 11:51:37 +0000

Born 10 years ago as part of Brussels 2000, European Capital of Culture the Zinneke Parade has now grown into a biennial exuberant celebration where around 2500 local volunteers from various schools, collectives and organizations converge into the city center in a carnival atmosphere. Each edition has it’s own theme where participants create their colorful and extravagant costumes while various musicians, dancers and actors join in for the fun in what could be best described as a street opera. This year’s 6th Edition theme was : A table/Aan tafe best translated into “Have a meal” or “Come to the Table”.

Photos of the Zinneke Parade 2010

Complete set of 180 pictures:

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Brussels under the snow

admin — Thu, 20 May 2010 18:29:46 +0000

As most of you probably already know the winter 2009-2010 was one the coldest we have experienced in Europe in a very long time. Brussels was no exception to this and the initial sense of fun and excitement of having snow stay for a few days slowly became irritating and in the end frankly outright depressing when had to deal with it non stop from December to March. This is partly why there was been no interest on my part in updating the blog for that period of time but now that’s all a thing of the past and I happily look back, knowing summer is approaching and post a few pictures of my last attempt in winter photography dating from December.

Snow in Brussels photos:

Man shoveling snow on my street

Deserted chairs and bench in my neighborhood

Couple holding hands behind Berlaymont building

Empty street

Snow covered Parc Leopold

More Parc Leopold

Ice forming on the lake

Espace Léopold European Parliament building

Parc Leopold in the snow

Christmas tree

Bikes in the snow

Vibrant activity

Kids playing in the snow

Waiting for the bus

Center of Brussels

Parc de Bruxelles covered in a white coat

Tree at sunset

Snowman

Brussels public bikes

Cars covered in show near St. Catherine

More of the Villo rent-a-bike system in Brussels

More cars covered in snow

Marché de Noël de Bruxelles

admin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 10:19:09 +0000

Although not even ten years old, the Brussels Christmas market has made a big impact on the Brussels landscape over the Christmas holidays. Today, it would be hard to imagine passing into the new year without it. Initiated by the City of Brussels’ the Christmas market is laid out within it’s center along a two kilometer long route starting from the Grand Place along the Bourse, Place Ste-Catherine and Marché aux Poissons. Featuring 240 chalets, an open-air skating rink and a Ferris Wheel all illuminated by thousands of lights. The guest of honor this year is Mongolia and every day colorful acts with local musicians and dancers wearing traditional costume that evoke the Mongol can be seen.

Opened everyday From the 27 November 2009 to January 3rd 2010

Location of the Brussels Christmas market:

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Photos Marché de Noël de Bruxelles

Enjoying some ice skating

Mongolian masks

Nativity scene at Grand Place

French sausages

Sipping on Champagne

Grand place Christmas tree

Face of Babies illuminate the path to Place Sainte-Catherine

Matryoshka dolls

Further down the way to Place Sainte-Catherine

Mongolian music

Young couple

The wait for customers for a glass of Gluehwein (German Hot Wine Punch)

More French sausages…

French cheese

Kids on the Merry-go-round

Mongolian artists

Earings for sale

wooden figurines

Teddy bears

Santa keeping warm in reindeer fur

Choucroute garnie or dressed sauerkraut

dressed for winter in this unusually cold weather

Belgian fries

Ferris wheel

Figurines

Chalets with St. Catherine church in the background

lonely Santa

Institut Royal pour Sourds Muets et Aveugles

admin — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:42:20 +0000

Now classified as a protected monument the Institut Royal pour Sourds Muets et Aveugles de Woluwé Saint Lambert was Built in Neo-Gothic Style around 1878 and has served as a school for the Hearing and Visually Impaired ever since. It is located at 278-284 Avenue Georges Henri , Woluwe-Saint-Lambert 1200.

Location of the Institut Royal pour Sourds Muets et Aveugles de Woluwe-Saint-Lambert:

View Larger Map

Photos of the Institut Royal pour Sourds Muets et Aveugles de Woluwe-Saint-Lambert:

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