Katinka Lampe 1

katinka lampe1

Painting by Katrinka Lampe in her exhibition, 'Rebel and Saint' at the Galerie Les Filles du Calvaire, Brussels. This and many other galleries took part in Brussels Art Day, holding special events and previews etc to encourage people's interest in contemporary art.

It was also great fun.

Brussels Beer Festival

beer festival6

I went to the opening of the festival on Friday evening to take some photos for Upfront magazine. I found this jazz band managing to combine music with steady drinking.

Who's Idea Was This?

sambo

At National Day, I was wandering around the EU propoganda information stands, inwardly weeping at their asinine slogan "Europe Cares" ( about what? Referendums? Per Diems? ) that was on freebie bags, T Shirts etc when I turned around and saw this.

Now, I've spent a lot of time in Africa and it's a fascinating and wonderous place, but it'll also break your heart. I'm trying not to prattle on about development here, so deep breath and on we go.

I liked seeing the bus, Lord knows I've spent a lot of time in them, often damaging my backside on long bumpy journeys. I didn't like the deceptive slogan "Afrika's on the move", mainly because Africa is indeed moving. In the wrong direction.

No, what really got me was the caricature of an African placed next to it. Let's take a closer look:

Stupid expression - check
Funny haircut - check
Big staring eyes - check
Huge ugly nose - check
Big red monkey lips - check
Silly gesture - check

Now, this did ring a bell. Where had I seen this before? Oh Yes, over here.

Stilt Walkers of Merchtem

Stilt Walkers of Merchtem

A great day out on National Day, where I watched some twirling Germans, was chased by men on stilts, avoided horse poo, saw the top of people's helmets in the parade, had an 'Apocalypse Now' moment during the Belgian Air Force's flypast , aw a U2 coverband play 'New Year's Day' and utterly failed to be arrested by the Police recruitment drive.

Then there were the frites. Mountains of them.

Gay Pride Festival

car dancer1

What great fun, even for boring breeders. Anspach was the starting point for a grand parade that was full of dancers, trucks from clubs blasting out sounds, various political groups and the sub groups from the gay world, including a lesbian biker group, some blokes in lederhosen (or something similar), the leather men and a holiday company that had two men dresses as pilots in a plane, high above the street, pretending to rodger themselves.

After a quick circuit of the city centre the music trucks parked on one side of Anspach and the party began.

It was a very diverse occasion and full of life and energy. People were happy to pose for photos as this was a special day for many, a day when they can be who they really are and wander around the town without fear.

My Flickr photostream of the event is over here

Train Lovers

train

This was taken on Lily Day - where Brussels promotes itself as the capital region or something. It's a nice enough day out and I manages to satisfy my inner Belgian by filling myself up with frites and beer whilst strange things happened all around me.

And that's what living here is all about.

Do you know the risk of aids

Do you know the risk of aids

This innovative board was on display at the Lily festival in Brussels. You had to look at the diagrams and decide what was safe and what was risky.

It's worth clicking through and seeing the larger photo!