It is little wonder: after many years, Casal remains one of the most prominent Spanish singers and her appearance represents something of a triumph over adversity. It was back in 2007 that breast cancer made her quit the stage for a spell. However, far from being discouraged, in between chemotherapy sessions she managed to craft Vida Tóxica (Toxic Life), a complex and poetic album, as a riposte to questions about her health and state of mind. But overcoming the odds is nothing new for Casal.

Fans may recall that in 1982 she released her first self-titled album was inspired by a musical genre–rock–that was then kind of taboo for female singers. What followed was one of the most celebrated Spanish tours of the 1980s, El Rock de una Noche de Verano (The Rock of a Summer Night).

Down the years she’s been especially well received in France where she has enjoyed a second market that has been ever expanding over the course of the years and through multiple tours. South America has also enthusiastically embraced the singer, who, in the early ’90’s, took part in the historic festival organized by Amnesty International in Chile where she shared the stage with Sinead O’Connor, Jackson Browne and Peter Gabriel, among others.

Her father’s death and various personal mishaps – plus a reputation for being extremely self-demanding music-wise – led to a new recording 5-year hiatus. But the release in 2009 of La Pasión (Passion), a journey through the Spanish-American
popular music of the last century, marked a return to form. The album sold over 300,000 copies worldwide and earned her numerous awards including the Medal of Arts and Letters in France.

Despite a fresh cancer scare, in February 2011 she performed at the Madrid Arena for the Spanish Cancer Association and the Spanish Breast Cancer Research Group. The proceeds of her concerts now exceed €200,000. Back on top form and in the peak of her creativity, she’s just played for the first time in Canada and Bahrein and celebrated her 30 years in the industry with the release of a new compilation album.

Far from being merely a nostalgia trip the album Un Ramo De Rosas (A Bouquet Of Roses) has been hailed as a “toast to the past that does not forget a nod to the future.”

Her Brussels show on 22 June is expected to be a sell out so those who want to catch a rare glimpse of this musical veteran are advised to get a ticket now!

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The rapper – real name Josep Miquel Arenas – is sentenced to three and a half years in prison for threats and insults to the Spanish royal family and the glorification of terrorism.

The Belgian justice system released him unconditionally while waiting to decide on a possible extradition order issued by Spain – in which, as shown in a tweet, he is accused of terrorism.

Other musicians and tweeters have been convicted in Spain over recent years, and Amnesty International’s issued a report about its concerns over freedom of expression in Spain. Valtònyc identifies these factors as repression.

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However, all that could change soon if the quality of cuisine available at this top-notch restaurant is anything to go by. Having opened only this month, El Impasse del Sablon is possibly the newest to open in Brussels’ restaurant scene.

It’s obviously still to find its place in the culinary pecking order, but judging by the customer feedback thus far it’s going to be a major player. And do not be surprised if it does indeed become Belgium’s first starred Spanish gastronomic restaurant.

So, what is all the fuss about? Well, the fact that it ticks three important boxes goes a long way to explaining its credentials. Location, décor and the all-important food – this restaurant scores on all three.

First, it is delightfully located, with the entrance about half way down a picturesque little passage (Impasse Saint-Jacques), just off the city’s chic Place Sablon. The narrow thoroughfare contains African art galleries and upmarket jewellery shops and can be easily missed, hence its reputation as one of the city’s best kept “secrets.”

As for the décor, this is a delight on the eye and the work of a well-known Spanish designer (who also just happens to have designed for the King of Spain!). The general aim is to recreate the Spanish bourgeois style that you might expect to find in Madrid or other cities in Spain.

This is a particularly cosy and intimate place to eat – there are just 11 tables with seating for about 24 – and there’s a lovely little area at the entrance where diners can sit and have a relaxing drink before dinner.

The tables – unlike a lot of restaurants these days – are discreetly separated so as to provide as much privacy and conversation space as possible .

And obviously the most important thing – the food. Here, you are most unlikely to be disappointed. Much of the produce and ingredients used in the cooking is sourced from Asturias, a northern region in Spain. This is particularly appropriate as it is the region where Marcos Moran, the restaurant’s renowned consultant chef, hails from.

If you are unfamiliar with the quality of Spanish gastronomic food then Jean-Francois Delaunay, the French-born restaurant manager (ably assisted by his Spanish colleague) is on hand to more than fully explain everything.

The wonderful card includes tapas which can be shared and a very good selection of oysters. From the starters, one particular dish which is recommended is the champignons de saison, oeuf cuit lentement, pomme de terre et truffe – a real delight. The langoustine with pasta and cabbage is another recommendation.

There is a small, but special, choice of fish and meat of which the lamb shoulder, served with chestnut puree and goat curd is highly recommended. The Iberian milk-fed pork shoulder with roasted garlic and mini pickled veg (or another dish, beef sirloin fillet with apple chutney) are equally mouth-watering offerings.

This is fine dining at its best which actually starts well before the main course, with some terrific aperitivo. These include something close to the heart of Marcos Moran, the original inspiration behind the food here. Called “crunchy”, it seeks to recreate one of Marcos’ childhood favourites and is accompanied by cod fish croquette and Iberico jamon. Each are very tasty as is the homemade bread, served with butter made from olive oil.

These small offerings all amount to a great appetiser for the fantastic food that follows. It is worth appreciating the sheer quality of the pork and jamon Iberico. It is sourced from a pure breed of pig which goes some way to explaining why much of the food here has that “melt-in-the-mouth” feel to it.

If the food is of the highest quality so too is the wine, again much of sourced from Spain and is all expertly detailed by the very friendly and helpful Jean-Francois. As well as the a la carte, there are also tasting menus available which, depending on the number of course, are priced at either €75 or €90.

There are some who still think that Spanish food starts and ends with paella and cheap plonk. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth, but it’s the image that’s been built up, partly as a result of cheap packaged holidays to Spain. But the best of Spanish gastronomy compares favourably with anything, as is evidenced here.

This restaurant doesn’t yet have star status but, if the « food experience » currently being enjoyed by diners here is anything to go by, it can only be a matter of time before it does!

Good to know:

• Address: Impasse Saint-Jacques, Grand Sablon – 1000 – Brussels
• Telephone: 02 512 9132
• Reservation: reservations@elimpassedelsablon.com

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The Spanish cuisine often labours under a stereotypical image (many seem to think it starts and ends with paella) but, thankfully, there is one place in Brussels that really is flying the flag for Spanish gastronomy. The Hispania Brasserie opened almost one year ago and in the past 12 months has rightly earned lots of praises for the quality and authenticity of its fine Spanish dishes.

For all its culinary diversity, trying to find a restaurant here that serves genuine Spanish cuisine is something of a thankless task. So it comes as a real pleasure to report that this restaurant, located in Grand Sablon, one of the chicest and prettiest parts of town, ticks all the boxes when it comes to quality service – and achieving what is set out to do at the outset which is be an “ambassador” for Spanish cuisine.

If you have not yet discovered Hispania then you are in for an exciting culinary treat. Marco Moran, the man behind the concept, also runs a similar restaurant, albeit rather bigger, in London’s banking quarter. The fact that the Asturian-born Moran chose Brussels as the venue for his second Hispania was very deliberate and reflects well on the Belgian’s “capital of Europe” status.

Moran’s London venture has been described as the “largest, most accomplished and ambitious project devoted to Spanish gastronomy in Europe.”His Brussels operation is on a slightly more modest scale but the food, nonetheless, is equally impressive as what’s available at its “big brother” in the City of London.

The overriding ethos of Hispania is dedicated to the cuisine of Spain and trying to debunk the myth that it consists of little more than that dish of “yellow rice bit things in it”.Hispania brasserie happens to be located in the NH Collection Grand Sablon hotel, but the business is totally independent of the hotel chain.

There are actually two Hispania’s – the brasserie and, next door, a gastronomic version (currently of the same name). While the former is geared towards the typical mix of tourists and locals who flock to Sablon, the latter is decidedly up market.

The brasserie, which celebrates its first anniversary in January, has a lovely a la carte featuring some fantastic Spanish dishes.It also gives a nod to the locality where it is based, offering a tasty blonde beer called “Zoevel” (it means Sablon in Flemish) which is brewed locally.

The card, which normally changes with the seasons, includes starters such as a fish cocktail (monkfish, lobster and gambas) which is typical light Spanish summer dish. However, when it’s as good as this “Salpicon de Rape y Gambas” goes down equally well in the depths of a Belgian winter!

There is a small but nice selection of fish including hake from the Basque country which is served in a delicious cream made from a tiny crab and is as good as you will find anywhere. The meat range, again relatively small but also terrific, boasts a mouth-watering suckling pig, another great, if slightly underrated Spanish speciality. This is rolled, cooked at low temperature and oven roasted and served with chestnuts and mushrooms.

The food here also comes with some very authoritative wine pairing and the wines – 98 percent of which are imported from Spain – are as memorable as the food. One such example is Valparaiso Roble, a very palatable red that is a good compliment to a meat dish in particular.

While it may be relatively unknown elsewhere, Valparaiso Roble is one of the most popular and frequently consumed wines within Spain itself. Again, the objective is to debunk the myth that Spanish wines start and end with Rioja and by going to the often costly business of importing so many products – ranging from ingredients and products for the food to most of its wine stock – Hispania demonstrates that it does not just pay lip service to the mantra of offering genuine Spanish gastronomy.

The typical Spanish décor, the inspiration of Lorenzo Castillo, one of the most renowned Spanish interior decorators, affords a particularly warm and informal setting. The Brasserie is open 7/7, seats up to 30 and also has a special midweek lunch menu, priced a mere 25 euros per person.

Marco Moràn is the fifth generation of chefs at the helm of Casa Gerardo in Asturias. He splits his time between his restaurants in Brussels, London and his Michelin-starred place in his native Spain.

The day to day responsibility for the wonderful cuisine here is largely down to Adrian Mancheno who, along with Marco, created the gastronomic concept of Hispania Brussels. In the short time it’s been opened, the team have had tremendous success in wowing Belgians and others with some great Spanish creations. This place is often frequented by Spanish people living in Brussels – always a good sign.

Good to know:

• Rue Bodenbroek 2, 1000 – Brussels
• 02 512 9132

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The still life has been known since time immemorial, but only flourished from the seventeenth century onwards, coming into its own as a separate genre. Spanish still life holds a particular position in the European context. While the connection with the Flemish and Italian models is unmistakeable, the early Spanish specialists of the still life developed a visual language of their own. The plain and simple style of the seventeenth-century ‘bodegónes’ represents a peak in the genre’s history.

Despite its popularity among patrons and at the royal courts, still life painting remained a relatively unappreciated genre. Critics regarded it as an academic exercise in composition, colour and texture, of interest solely for its decorative qualities. And yet it is a fascinating area in the history of art. The huge variety of objects portrayed, such as tables decorated with foods, fruits or game, florals, vanitas paintings, trompe l’oeils, and even cooking scenes – often have symbolic meaning and teem with moralising messages. Still life also experienced a fascinating evolution: from its huge growth and expansion in the lavish Baroque years of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries to its avant-garde revival in the early twentieth century. Cubist experiments by artists such as Picasso raised this traditional genre to a new level and made it relevant again.

It has been almost 20 years since the last exhibition of Spanish still life (Bilbao Fine Arts Museum,1999). This retrospective gives the first ever overview of the four-hundred year evolution of Spain’s most beautiful still life paintings and is based on four thematic and chronological clusters per century. The eye-catcher at the exhibition’s start in the seventeenth century is a piece by Sanchez Cotán, who is considered the “founding father” of the genre and influenced several generations to come. From the first seventeenth-century bodegónesthe exhibition shifts its attention to the personal interpretations of artists such as Velázquez, Zurbarán and Goya, before going on to the formal experiments of Picasso, Dalí and Miró and works by contemporary Spanish artists such as Barceló and López. The exhibition focuses on a lesser-known aspect of their work, casting another light on the oeuvres of these prominent Spanish artists by showcasing them in the still life context.

Ángel Aterido, who holds a PhD in art history and is an expert on Spanish still life painting, selected the pieces for the exhibition. A good 70% are from private and public Spanish collections (such as Museo Nacional del Prado, Museo Reina Sofía, Royal Academy of Arts Madrid, Museo Nacional d’Art de Catalunye…). Many are on loan from the Prado, which has one of the largest and best collections of Spanish still life paintings in the world. The remainder are on loan from other great museums around the world, such as the National Gallery London, the Fitzwilliam Museum Cambridge, the Louvre Paris, Pompidou Paris, Uffizi Firenze, Museo Nacional de Arte Antiga Lisboa, MOMA NY, San Diego Museum of Art… Spanish Still Life presents a unique opportunity to discover all of these exceptional artworks at a single location. After its first showing in the Centre for Fine Arts Brussels the exhibition will travel to the Musei Reali di Torino.

Good to Know:

• Exhibition: 23.02.2018 – 27.05.2018
• Price:  16€

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This national day could actually seem quite controversial in some countries across Europe or the World. It is not only about the country itself, but also about the whole Hispanic world: the day is celebrated both in Spain and in Latin America, to remeber Cristobal Colon’s arrival to the New World on the same date in 1492. The holiday then celebrates the meeting of both people, which mixed their cultures during History and that shared the same language.

It started being celebrated in 1913 under the name “Día de la Raza” (“Race day”) and the former Spanish dictator Francisco Franco made it a legal National Day in 1958. After Franco passed away and a democratic political regime was set up, it was recalled “Fiesta de Espana y de la Hispanidad” in 1982, before it was officially called “Día de la Fiesta Nacional de Espana” in 1987.

In Spain, it is a public holiday, and it is (supposed to be) celebrated all over the country. The main event of this day is the military march at noon on Castellana Street in Madrid, which gathers thousands of people. Spanish people also seize the opportunity of this day-off to visit some museums that are free of charge.

The celebration of the 12^th of October is however quite controversial in Spain, particularly in Cataluña. Some political parties and activists think that there is no reason to celebrate such a day, as it commemorates colonialism and the slaughters the indigenous people were subject to for centuries. Last year, Colon’s statute in Barcelona was tagged with the motto “Res a celebrar” (“Nothing to celebrate”). This year, as unity has been affected last week, the 12^th of October could be perceived differently, from a new perspective in the Catalan capital and across the whole country.

Nevertheless, it could also be an occasion to forget politics and celebrate Spain and the Hispanic culture in their richness: for the occasion, in fact, the Grand Casino Brussels VIAGE offers an opportunity to party, dance flamenco, eat paella and drink sangria from 6 to 10 pm.

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