Book Review: Always look on the bright side of Belgium

The result of a collaboration between a handful of editors, photographers and graphic designers, The Bright Side of Belgium comes as the latest evidence of a growing but still subdued sentiment that it’s time for locals to drop the act, and their innate modesty, and just say it – Belgium is worth it.

Writers Sigrid Vandensavel and Hadewijch Ceulemans consequently don’t beat around the bush in their introduction to their book. “It’s time for an enthusiastic declaration of love for the most beautiful cities and regions in all of Belgium,” they write. “We should be incredibly proud.”

Their 500-page coffee-table book zooms in on 10 of the country’s most interesting and vibrant cities and regions. Each chapter covers the same themes – architecture, parks and squares, art, culture, shopping, food, accommodation and an “outside the city” section that highlights noteworthy spots just a bit further down the road.

The book’s stunning photos are beautifully complemented by colourful and cheeky typographical illustrations that help readers make sense of the wealth of information, and are the work of graphic design duo Sanny Winters and Tim Oeyen. 

Every chapter also includes interviews with key players who have a significant say in what that city’s local fashion, arts and culture scene serves up. For Brussels, that includes pioneering Dansaert fashion store-owner Sonja Noël, while for Ghent the writers sat down with Flemish foodie and rock’n’roll chef Jason Blanckaert.

At times the writers seem a bit too concerned with all things hip and snazzy, and it could do with more of a critical voice, but that seems like an irrelevant observation for a book that is so upfront about its desire to give this country’s reputation a bit of tender loving care.

The Bright Side of Belgium (€39.95) is published in English by Uitgeverij Luster