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With over 100 events and locations the 18th edition of Brussels Design September underscores the important position design has in Brussels' economy. Until September 30th you will be able to go to exhibitions, visit stores and studios, have personal encounters, attend lectures, workshops, and openings, in a showcase of Belgian excellence as well as a participation of Prague's most innovative design projects.

Event manager Elizabeth Djam tells us what to expect. designseptember.be

Visit Brussels is making a major investment in Queer Destinations. Rika Jean-François, the head of International Business Relations for QD explains what they do and why Visit Brussels' participation is so special.

https://queerdestinations.com/

Every so often Valérie Lepla, owner and creator of the iconic Brussels restaurant Pistolet Original, asks a favorite chef to create a special pistolet. This time around she asked Nicolas Misera of Restaurant Misera in Antwerp to do the honors. He explains what he has concocted for a cool sensation, a pistolet based on the local sea's bounty.

www.pistolet-original.be

https://nicolasmisera.com/

After a thirty year meticulous restoration, the 144 year old commercial passageway connecting the rue Neuve with the Place de Brouckère is inaugurating its refound splendor with the exposition of urban wildlife photographer Thomas Jean's show entitled Sauvage.

He tells us all about the rich wildlife to be found in Brussels which he has captured on film.

http://www.passagedunord.be/index.php/fr/en

www.laminutesauvage.be

Imagine!:100 Years of International Surrealism is the Royal Museum of Fine Arts' major exhibition to salute the centenary of surrealism and the last of this year's mega shows on the subject to close so you can still catch this exceptional exhibition until July 21. Head Curator Francisca Vandepitte explains the thinking behind the museum's take on the anniversary.

https://fine-arts-museum.be/en/exhibitions/imagine

The Brussels International Film Festival (BRIFF) is back with a plethora of the latest of the best International and Belgian movies and a sprinkling of much loved classics. Festival Artistic Director Céline Masset tells us all about it.

https://briff.be/en/

June 25 to July 3 2024

The ULB is presenting Biladi Belgica, an itinerant exhibition of photos celebrating 60 years of Moroccan immigration to Belgium. The exhibition is currently mounted across downtown Brussels after which it will go to the ULB campus, and then to Morocco.

Curator Ahmed Medhoune tells us the history behind the exhibition.

Through  21 July 2024 in downtown Brussels.

https://belgica-biladi.ulb.be/

In a city filled with remarkable Art Deco buildings the Villa Empain stands out as the high point. The Boghossian Foundation has restored it to its former glory and has made it not only a museum which aims to connect East and West through its exhibits, but also a convivial place with events that bring people together. Communications Director Caroline Schuermans tells all about this summer's events both inside the museum but also in the lovely garden and around the spectacular outdoor swimming pool. https://villaempain.com/en/the-boghossian-foundation/the-villa-empain/ 

BOZAR’s contribution to the array of museum exhibitions celebrating the centenary of Surrealism is: Surrealism in Belgium: It's No Laughing Matter. The show is composed of a stellar collection of works of art brought together for the occasion including works by Paul Nougé, René Magritte, Jane Graverol, Marcel Mariën, Rachel Baes, Leo Dohmen, Paul Delvaux, Max Ernst, Yves Tanguy, Salvador Dalí, Georgio de Chirico, and many others. Curator Xavier Canonne explains the various factors that influenced surrealism in Belgium and abroad. If you haven’t seen it yet, schedule a visit soon, as the show closes June 16th.

https://www.bozar.be/en/calendar/histoire-de-ne-pas-rire-surrealism-belgium

To celebrate the centenary of Surrealism, there have been a number of special exhibitions in various museums in Brussels. One of them is coming to a close on  June 2nd so if you haven't been to the Royal Library of Belgium (KBR) to see their fascinating show James Ensor: Inspired by Brussels, do yourself a favour and go before it's too late. Daan van Heesch, the curator of the Department of Prints and Drawings at the KBR explains how Ensor, known as " painter from Ostend" had very strong ties to Brussels and how, though he was not a surrealist, he claimed to be an inspiration to the Surrealists.

https://www.kbr.be/en/agenda/expo-ensor/

February 22 to June 2 2024