Photo by Diogo Palhais on Unsplash The former Irish Minister for Europe Dick Roche has voiced real concerns over how the European Parliament has exercised its powers in the last five years. Speaking in Brussels, the Irishman, an avowed and committed Europhile, said it was clear the Commission “always has a little thumb on the scales.” His comments come just ahead…
The director of a keenly-awaited new play in Brussels says its “eternal truths” are “still the same today” as they were four decades ago. Robert Chevara is the director of “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune” which will be performed in Brussels next month. It is produced by The Bridge Theatre, Brussels’ professional…
Photo by Connor Coyne on Unsplash The upcoming Champions League final is the traditional, end-of-season showpiece event for European football. As with each season, some of the best sides on the planet lock horns, this time with Real Madrid facing Borussia Dortmund on 1 June. Even so, this top table global sporting event is not necessarily the richest…
Taiwan’s absence from international organisations has been likened to the search for the Loch Ness Monster. The Taipei Representative Office in Brussels says the search for “Nessie” in the Scottish loch is like looking for Taiwan’s involvement in organisations like the UN. The Taiwan Representation has collaborated with the Belgian cartoonist, Lectrr, to create a cartoon comparing finding…
Dev Biswal, owner of The Cook’s Tale restaurant in Canterbury, has announced a 10-day culinary tour to Morocco (27 September to 6 October). The tour costs £3250, with a nominal £200 additional charge for solo travellers, including flights ex Gatwick, wine tasting, cooking class, guided visits and 19 sumptuous meals. The trip comprises 4 nights in…
For a moment there, it seemed like we’d never leave winter. But finally, here we are enjoying some warmer temperatures and a newfound excitement for the months to come. The onset of Spring brings with it a positive glut of bank holidays here in Belgium. so what better excuse to consider a well deserved short…
Photo by Fons Heijnsbroek on Unsplash EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson has called for an effective policy on labour migration. The official was speaking at the April plenary session of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in a discussion on the EU Talent Mobility Package. Johansson called for a ‘team Europe’ approach to labour migration with a broader European…
Photo by Jens Thekkeveettil on Unsplash The Lotto Brussels Jazz Weekend (May 24 – 26) promises to offer a stage to 127 artists and 9 leading Brussels cultural actors to showcase Brussels’ musical wealth and diversity, and make it accessible to a wide audience. The festival, which also has indoor and Buskerpodia concerts (outdoor acoustic stages), aims to…
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash A former UK minister under Tony Blair’s premiership says “no dramatic breakthroughs” should be expected in the upcoming EU elections. Denis MacShane, a former Europe Minister in the UK, was speaking about the EU-wide poll that takes place from 6 to 9 June. The EU parliament will spend an estimated €33 million…
Brussels Cathedral is set to vibrate – in an unusual way – in a homage to a Middle Ages Saint Hildegard Von Bingen. The city centre cathedral will play host to a musical “tribute” to Hildegard Von Bingen, a 12th century Benedictine Saint. Hildegard of Bingen, also known as Saint Hildegard and the Sibyl of…
