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Two million visitors, one extraordinary year: We meet the man behind Mons 2015

To conclude an extraordinary year as 2015 European Capital of Culture, Mons is organising six parties in one night, at locations across the city on 12 December - including four simultaneous fireworks displays at midnight. More than two million people have enjoyed the year-long cultural bonanza. As...

Health insurer warns of increasing antidepressant use among minors

According to figures from the Christian health insurance company (CM), nearly 5,000 Belgian minors took antidepressants last year. The CM warns of harmful side effects, such as suicidal tendencies. The figures show that in the course of last year, 4,917 minors in Belgium received the medication at...

TV shows dominate Belgium's most widely used Twitter hashtags of 2015

According to Twitter's annual report of trending topics around the world, the most popular hashtag in Belgium this year is #KCA, which stands for Kids Choice Awards, an annual awards show on Nickelodeon. This is followed by #MTVHottest and #football. In fourth place in Belgium is the hashtag for...

Schuman Lights Up: community spirit in the EU quarter

Under an arched awning surrounded by lit-up Christmas trees and outdoor heaters, locals spent Thursday chatting with friends and neighbours over food and wine. This may not fit with the usual description for the Schuman area, with hectic streets filled with businesspeople and Eurocrats rushing...

Commotion around Sven Gatz as 'Zwarte Piet'

Flemish culture minister Sven Gatz celebrated Saint Nicholas Day at the weekend by dressing up as Zwarte Piet (Black Pete, the Saint's controversial companion). The Minorities Forum responded with anger, calling the minister's costume “tasteless”, writes brusselnieuws.be. The priest of Jette had...

Belgium lose to Australia in Hockey World League final

Belgium’s extraordinary hockey adventure came to an end on Sunday when Australia beat them 2-1 in the Hockey World League final in Raipur, India. Belgium’s emergence as a hockey power has been one of the sport’s most remarkable fairy tales, but the Red Lions’ luck ran out against Australia’s...

Frit Flagey voted Brussels' best chip stand

Frit Flagey was voted the best fritkot (chip stand) in Brussels during this year's Fritomètre , an annual survey conducted by RTBF and Télé Bruxelles. Nearly 9,500 people took the online suvey to vote for their favourite fritkot in the Brussels-Capital Region. Last year's winner, Maison Antoine on...

Belgian comedian breaks kissing World Record

Stand-up comedian Philippe Geubels responded to a challenge during television charity event De Liveshow by breaking the World Record for the most kisses received in 30 seconds, writes Het Laatste Nieuws . The world record stood at 56 kisses on the cheek in 30 seconds. With the help of several Miss...

Brussels Christmas market broadcast live via webcam

The City of Brussels has installed a webcam at the Marché aux Poissons, at the heart of the Winter Wonders Christmas market, allowing visitors to follow the festivities live online. The temporary webcam was installed at the Citadines Hotel to give an impression of the Winter Wonders event at the...

Saint Nicolas and Black Pete: 'a Belgian tradition with racist undertones'

Every year in the run up to 6 December, children in Belgium and the Netherlands gear up for the arrival of ‘Sinterklaas’ (in Dutch) or ‘Saint Nicolas’ (in French) , the annual gift-giving celebration, an equivalent to Santa Claus. Sinterklaas is accompanied by his servant ‘Zwarte Piet’ (Black Pete...

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