A Valentine’s Day and Vintage event 

Organised every year around Valentine’s Day, the Love Bugs Parade is much more than a classic car ride. It embodies the warm and festive spirit of those who love the famous ‘Cox’. The event brings together some 250 vehicles, from historic Beetles to modern Beetles, in a friendly, retro atmosphere. For this special edition, participants are invited to immerse themselves in the year 1965 by decorating their cars or dressing up in period costumes. Two dedicated areas on the Esplanade will showcase the creative efforts of participants and Beetles dating precisely from 1965. 

The programme

Enthusiasts will gather at 10am in front of the Autoworld museum, where registered owners will receive a rally nameplate, a roadbook and access to the museum and its temporary exhibition. Visitors can admire the vehicles on display, chat with the owners and enjoy the festive atmosphere. At 2pm sharp, the car parade will set off from the Esplanade to a joyous chorus of car horns. The route, which lasts approximately 1.5 hours, will take participants along some charming Brabant roads, offering a unique spectacle in motion for spectators and a memorable ride for drivers. Back at the Cinquantenaire around 3.30pm, participants meet up for a convivial snack offered by the organisers, an opportunity to swap anecdotes and extend the party. 

A party open to all 

The event is free and open to the public. Come and enjoy the atmosphere and admire these legendary vehicles. During the parade, be sure to visit Autoworld, a must-see museum for car enthusiasts. With its 250 historic vehicles and its temporary exhibition, it promises to delight young and old alike. 

A tribute to the Belgian VW Club 

Created in 1965, the Belgian VW Club is an institution for Volkswagen enthusiasts. It brings together enthusiasts from all walks of life, from owners of campers and oldtimers to fans of new technologies such as electro-mobility. Members enjoy a host of benefits, from taking part in exclusive competitions to invitations to exhibitions and rallies. This club is a real community where the passion for Volkswagen is lived and shared to the full. 

Registration and practical information: 👉 Registration Love Bugs Parade 2025

Only the first 250 registrations will be accepted, so don’t delay in reserving your place at this unique event. 

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Asterix Turns 65: A Celebration Fit for a Comic Icon!

The legendary Gaul, Asterix, is turning 65 this year, and what better way to celebrate than with a special tribute to one of the most beloved characters in his universe? For the very first time, Dogmatix, the loyal and endearing little dog, is getting his own spotlight in a dedicated exhibition that promises to be as charming and playful as the character himself.  

Dogmatix’s Journey: From Sidekick to Star  

This delightful exhibition takes visitors on a nostalgic journey through Dogmatix’s evolution. From his humble beginnings as an unnamed pup in *Asterix and the Banquet* to his rise as Obelix’s inseparable companion, Dogmatix has won the hearts of readers around the world. The exhibit explores his transformation into a cultural icon, including his starring role in the animated series *Dogmatix and the Indomitables*.  

With original sketches, archive materials, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the creative process, fans will gain a deeper appreciation of how Dogmatix became a symbol of loyalty, bravery, and humor in the Asterix universe.  

Fun for All Ages

The exhibition isn’t just for longtime fans—it’s designed to enchant visitors of all ages. Kids can enjoy interactive games and activities crafted just for them, while families can share in the joy of exploring Dogmatix’s adventures together. It’s a celebration of humor, friendship, and the timeless appeal of this cherished comic series.  

Presented in collaboration with publisher Albert René and the Institut René Goscinny, the Comic Art Museum brings this vibrant tribute to life, showcasing the values and storytelling genius that have made Asterix a global phenomenon.  

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a newcomer, this exhibition offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the whimsical world of Dogmatix and his friends. Don’t miss the chance to celebrate Asterix’s 65th birthday in style. Join the festivities and experience the magic!

Practical information:

Location : Comic Art Museum, rue des Sables, 20 – 1000 Brussels
Email : visit@comicscenter.net
Website: https://www.comicscenter.net/en/exhibitions/gallery/dogmatix-co-the-great-story-of-a-little-dog
Phone : +32 2 219 19 80

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Female characters in comic books have long been a reflection of how society regarded women. It didn’t help that men dominated the comic book industry, both as creators and consumers.

The 20th century saw a rising number of women and girls reading comic books, leading to questions about the misrepresentation of women and raising the need to rewrite comic book stories.

Finally, in 1940, the comic book world introduced its first female superheroes.

Fantomah, created by Fletcher Hanks for Jungle Comics, was the first comic book heroine with superhuman powers to appear in print. But Richard Hughes and George Mandel designed the first masked and costumed superheroine, whom they named Woman in Red.

Soon, other superwomen emerged in comic books, including Wonder Woman who was introduced by William Moulton Marston in 1941. Supergirl, drawn by Otto Binder and Al Plastino, followed in 1959.

In Belgian comics, it wasn’t until the late 1960s that women became the stars of their own universe. Let’s get to know some of the first heroines created by Belgians comic book writers.

Comanche

Not to be mistaken for the Marvel villain by the same name, Comanche is a young, courageous, and independent female landowner living in Wyoming during the time of the American Old West. She started out as a guest character in the Tintin comic books in 1969. Three years later, the heroine created by Belgian cartoonists Hermann Huppen and Michel Regnier gained her own comic book series.

Yoko Tsuno

She may have no superpowers, but Yoko Tsuno is no ordinary human being. She’s an electrical engineer, a pilot, scuba diver, and aikido black belter. The Japanese heroine imagined by Roger Leloup was first introduced in 1970 in the Franco-Belgian comics magazine, Spirou.

Natacha

This feisty flight attendant seems to have a penchant for getting into  trouble. But she’s also clever and resourceful enough to get herself out of it. Created by François Walthéry and Gos, Natacha was first featured in a 1970 edition of Spirou. She went solo in 1971.

Kriss of Valnor

Young, beautiful, and fierce, Kriss of Valnor is one of the major characters in Thorgal, a fantasy comic book series by Belgian writer Jean Van Hamme and Polish artist Grzegorz Rosiński. Thorgal was first published in 1980 and became a video game in 2002.

Aria

Aria is the heroine of a fantasy comic book series created by Michel Weyland and released in 1982. Alluring yet ferocious, Aria is a medieval warrior who defends the poor and the oppressed.

Mélusine

She looks young, but she’s actually 119 years old. François Gilson’s Mélusine is a charming yet formidable witch working as an au pair in a haunted castle in Transylvania. She made her debut in 1992 as a feature in the Spirou magazine and got her own comic book franchise in 1995.

Kim Nelson

The Djinn comic books tell the story of Kim Nelson, a young Englishwoman who travels to Istanbul in search of her grandmother, a woman named Jade who is rumoured to possess the supernatural powers of a djinn. The characters were created by Belgian comic book writer Jean Dufaux and illustrated by Spanish artist Ana Miralles. The comic book series first came out in 2001 and ended publication in 2016.

Source: Focus on Belgium

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The City of Brussels will celebrate the new year without the traditional fireworks. Instead, a spectacular laser show will light up the city on new year’s eve.

Tonight, laser beams will zoom into the sky and form a web of lights that will connect houses and buildings in the city center and nearby neighborhoods.

The fireworks had to be cancelled this year due to the ongoing health crisis. The curfew is still at 10 p.m., but Brussels residents can watch the laser show online.

The light spectacle will be featured live on the Facebook page and website of the City of Brussels. It will be on from 11:15 to midnight.

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Autoworld was one of the first museums to open its doors when deconfinement was announced with, in rapid succession, out of the ordinary exhibitions promptly making our museum the focal point of conversations. During these two holiday months their team had brought about numerous initiatives, such as the Lego challenge for children, a Cars&Coffee allowing the owners of classic cars to exceptionally return to the Esplanade du Cinquantenaire, a super pop-up bar under the colonnades, daily runs of old timers in front of the museum …

So many actions to the delight of the visitors. Despite that, the absence of foreign tourists and the constraining measures implemented by the Belgian Government reduced the number of visitors by 40%. When external events are contrary to the norms, it forces them to leave their comfort zone. And that is exactly what they are doing!

The end of summer promises to be just as exciting … with, to kick-off, a tribute to the Audi Quattro, the model thanks to which the four-wheel drive saw the light of day and became widespread. This will be followed by a Mazda celebration on the occasion of its centenary as also a weekend fully focussed on the Gillet motorbikes.

Without having to wait too long, upcoming weekend they are welcoming the renowned Bonhams house for a top of the range auction sale.

WEEKEND OF 5th & 6th SEPTEMBER: BONHAMS AUTUMN SALES @ AUTOWORLD

This weekend, the prestigious auction house Bonhams is their guest for an auction in which no less than 67 classic and sports cars and motorcycles will be sold.

True to Autoworld museums’ reputation for showcasing what is unique and noteworthy in the automotive world, Bonhams will have on offer various lots of exceptional cars of all eras.

Among the highlights, worth noting a Jaguar E-type Series 1 dating from 1961 and a Mercedes-Benz 630 Sports Tourer from 1928 and a Porsche 997 Speedster from 2012.

All participating cars and motorcycles will be on display on the first floor of the museum during the weekend of 5 and 6 September and is open to all visitors.

The sale will take place on Sunday at 14 hrs.

More informartion: https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/26494/

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The BSFF will take place from the 2nd to the 12th of September 2020 and the BRIFF from 3rd to 13th of September 2020.

The opening ceremony at the Vendôme Cinema will be honoring The European Short Film Audience Award (ESFAA), which was launched last year in partnership with 9 European festivals. It offers a selection of the best European short films awarded an Audience Award in their country !  You will be able to watch movies of different genre such as animation, comedy, thriller, and also vote for the European Audience Award!

The festival will be screening a total of 157 short films, as well as different competitions and numerous events.

The full program and lineup can be found on their website.

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The activities include: different concerts, live art, events on terraces, cinema under the stars, events in museums, ‘carte blanche’ for festivals, theatre for children, and many more.

These events will be taking place at various locations in Brussels (Laeken, Neder-Over-Heembeek, Square Ambiorix, the esplanade of the Cité Administrative at the Congress Column, the Vaux-Hall at the Brussels Park,…).

Until August 30, there will be plenty of choice to celebrate the Brussels summer together! You can find all the necessary details on their website.

Enjoy and don’t forget to be careful and wear your mask.

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Les photographes grew and became THE PHOTO ACADEMY with a team of over 300 teaching photographers, a presence in 44 cities, 11 countries and with classes in 3 languages (EN/NL/FR). Today, based out of Paris, Brussels and London, the two founders – Raphaël and Maxime continue to promote photography and develop THE PHOTO ACADEMY.

Teaching approach

Thanks to an array of practical and technical courses, they hope to pass along precious “know-how” so you can enjoy learning more about digital or film photography. They also offer an ample range of thematic courses (in the form of classes or workshops) involving some of the oldest types of photography, including historical and alternative techniques.

In our era of image-based communications and with the multifaceted world of photography constantly evolving, we try to represent as many of the trends as possible and want our photographers to reflect that richness and diversity. That’s why the team is composed of women and men with different expertise and approaches that reflect the world of photography today.

What The Photo Academy offers in Brussels

● Beginner​ – ​Intermediate​ – classes in Brussels
● Video and editing classes – ​Photoshop/Lightroom
● Classes in ​ENG​/F​R​/​NL
● Long-term courses

Private courses
Would you like to take a course on a specific topic that the courses and masterclasses don’t cover? Or would you like to follow our standard curriculum, but within the context of a ​private class​ that is adapted to your pace?

Business
Organize shooting, train your team, and create events centered around photography (both digital and smartphone). With courses available from beginner to experienced, THE PHOTO ACADEMY will bring you practical solutions personalized for your every need.

Free Photowalks
Share your passion, meet other photographers in your area, practice and discover photography with the free monthly PhotoWalks to (re)discover your city on various themes amongst photographers. Check the Facebook groups​ for the dates.

Events in Brussels

PHOTOTALK:
Free after-work events where a photographer presents his/her work and exchange with the audience, share ideas and get inspired. In an intimate atmosphere with a cool drink at the office.

Next :
19/12 : ​PHOTOTALK#6​ avec Maël Lagadec
20/02 : ​PHOTOTALK#7​ avec Philippe Graton

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The management of this cultural site has experienced some turmoil on the legal and political grounds since the City of Brussels undertook it in 2014 to terminate the concession with the Botanique and award it to Brussels Expo, an ASBL dependent on it and chaired by Mayor Philippe Close.

According to the mayor of the City of Brussels Philippe Close (PS), the alderman in charge of the Land Board Khalid Zian (PS), and the director of the Royal Circus, Denis Gerardy, there are 160 to 165 dates for the season 2019-2020, a record since the creation of the room. The program includes, among others, television program recordings, six to ten shows, six to eight private shows, and two to three movie shows.

According to Philippe Close, also the financial results exceeded the expectations. The theater has a significant impact on employment. The days of performances, it gives direct employment to forty people, not to mention its impact on nearby businesses. Within a year, the former stables located under the room should be redeveloped into a multipurpose room with 320 seats for show-case, rehearsals, concerts, receptions and much more.

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