An estimated 2,275 died or went missing crossing the Mediterranean in 2018, despite a major drop in the number of arrivals reaching European shores. In total, 139,300 refugees and migrants arrived in Europe, the lowest number in five years.

“Saving lives at sea is not a choice, nor a matter of politics, but an age-old obligation,” said Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees. “We can put an end to these tragedies by having the courage and vision to look beyond the next boat, and adopt a long-term approach based on regional cooperation, that places human life and dignity at its core.”

The report describes how shifts in policy by some European States saw numerous incidents where large numbers of people were left stranded at sea for days on end, waiting for permission to dock. NGO boats and their crews faced growing restrictions on their search and rescue operations. On routes from Libya to Europe, one person died at sea for every 14 who arrived in Europe – a sharp rise on 2017 levels. Thousands more were returned to Libya where they faced appalling conditions inside detention centres.

For many, setting foot in Europe was the final stop of a nightmarish journey on which they had faced torture, rape and sexual assault, and the threat of being kidnapped and held for ransom. States must take urgent action to dismantle smuggling networks and bring perpetrators of these crimes to justice.

However, new seeds of hope did emerge in some places. Despite political deadlock on progressing with a regional approach to sea rescue and disembarkation, as called for by UNHCR and IOM last June, several States committed to relocating people rescued on the central Mediterranean – a potential foundation for a predictable and lasting solution. Thousands of resettlement places were also pledged by States for evacuating refugees out of Libya.

The report also reveals significant changes in the routes being used by refugees and migrants. For the first time in recent years, Spain became the primary entry point to Europe as around 6,800 arrived by land (through the enclaves in Ceuta and Melilla) and a further 58,600 people successfully crossed over the perilous Western Mediterranean. As a result, the death toll for the western Mediterranean nearly quadrupled from 202 in 2017 to 777. Some 23,400 refugees and migrants arrived in Italy in 2018, a fivefold decrease compared to the previous year. Greece received a similar number of sea arrivals, some 32,500 compared to 30,000 in 2017, but saw a near threefold increase in the number of people arriving via its land border with Turkey.

Elsewhere in Europe, Bosnia and Herzegovina recorded some 24,000 arrivals as refugees and migrants transited through the Western Balkans. Cyprus received several boats carrying Syrian refugees from Lebanon while the UK witnessed small numbers crossing from France towards the end of the year.

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Since its launch in 1989, the success of Mediterranean Film Festival of Brussels does not dry up. The Med is a beautiful human adventure. To try out the organization of such a festival is an ambitious bet, raised every time with panache. More than 10,000 festival-goers met there in 2017, film lovers, curious, professionals, guests international and Belgian students.

On the program: about sixty films (fiction, documentary and short films), concerts, evenings and a Mediterranean-style market that will let the public discover the flavors of shimmering colorful cultures.

For this 18th  edition, the Med is happy to associate itself with the « MOROCCO 2018 » year, initiated by Wallonia Brussels International (WBI). In the framework of this collaboration, several fiction and quality documentaries will let us discover Morocco. For this year, the Med sheds a particular light on the lives of young people in the Mediterranean by addressing topics such as homosexuality, dropping out of school, or integration in society.

True to its commitments, the Med is also a place for reflection on audiovisual education. Workshops and many debates organized in partnership with cultural operators in Brussels are on the program.

The festival is also the symbol of culture for all, without distinction age, gender, culture, environment social. For these reasons, the Med continues to offer sessions, master classes at a reduced rate and more classically priced projections.

Today, more than ever, there is a need of culture, cinema, of this art characterized by vitality and diversity that allow us to build bridges between civilizations and cultures.

From November 30th to December 7th, in different places in Brussels: at Botanique, at Cinema Adventure, in Bozar but also in the cinema Palace. This time too, the Med will organize sessions outside of Brussels. These 8 days will be an opportunity for you to dive in the Mediterranean, but also an opportunity to spend moments with family or friends.

Check out the timetable here.

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Situated amidst trendy fashion shops and boutiques at the heart of a really bustling part of Brussels, Bonsoir Clara was named after the daughter of one of the original partners.

While the ownership at Bonsoir Clara has long passed to new hands, the same love and care goes into pandering to the needs of today’s diners. That applies to both the service and cuisine at this restaurant, both of which are first class.

The food here is described as a “gastronomic visual novelty” and, like the setting, that is an apt description.
Bonsoir Clara.

That is partly due to the very inventive décor/lighting which reflects the warmth and relaxing ambience of a southern French city.

On one side of the restaurant is a wall covered with a patchwork quilt made from warm-coloured material while another wall is full of stained glass panels. The setting (the creation of interior designer Frederic Nicolay) gives a flavour of the cuisine which is every bit as clever and rewarding.

There are some great Belgian classic dishes such as croquettes, a lovely lamb shank and Irish steak but, alongside these, you will find what might be called slightly more ambitious preparations.

These include marinated salmon perfumed with spices, beef carpaccio with olive oil and pan-fried St Jacques with a vegetable puree.

Starters (cold) include a terrine of duck fois gras, sashimi of salmon marinated with poppy seeds, while hot starters feature homemade shrimp croquettes served with a shellfish coulis

The current card boasts braised veal steak on the mains along with a mouthwatering candied duck leg, gratinated with brown sugar and served with white cabbage stew; look out too for some great fish options, including a ravioli of scampi served with creamy coconut juice.

The same love and affection goes into the deserts which, as well as the Belgian classics, include fresh pineapple, tartine with mint and lime sorbet and black chocolate mouse with ginger confit.

The a la carte is relatively small but, more importantly, there is a lovely selection of dishes and all are delightful.

They are the work (and fertile imagination) of its talented Marrakesh-born head chef Omar Ghojdam who brings his Mediterranean influence (not least in the use of olive oil) to bear in the imaginative creations he concocts.

The prices are very reasonable, and there’s an excellent choice of New and Old World (and bio) wines, all carefully selected, plus some nice Belgian beers and spirits for an aperitif.

The restaurant, which is divided into two long dining rooms, is located in one of the busiest parts of the city, just a few metres from the Bourse, and also enjoys a vibrant lunchtime trade.

If you happen to be in the area around lunchtime during the week, there is also a particularly good value-for-money card available (Monday to Friday only) which is priced just €15.50pp and comprises a starter, main and coffee or tea. The choice changes every day.

If you are looking for a venue for a group booking (maybe a party or official function) there are special menus available, depending on the budget, and the interior can be adapted accordingly; Seating up to 100 people.

Good to know:

• 22-26 rue Antoine Dansaert – Brussels
• 02 502 0990
• Closed Saturday and Sunday lunchtime.

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