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06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:39 Pagina 1
Brussels, a piece of us!
Brussels and Flanders form a fascinating story. A story of love and hate, similarities and
differences, openness and closed doors, dependency and enrichment. The ties between
Brussels and Flanders form a constant theme through the Flemish Government’s policy on
Brussels. We would like to strengthen, cherish and publicise these ties.
There is still a great deal of work to do. Our vision of the ties between Flanders and Brussels
makes us row against the current. In the Flemish Community there are more and more voices
which see Brussels as an obstacle to further autonomy. Some Flemish people in Brussels
are also calling increasingly loudly for an artificial Brussels community. However, what both
these groups fail to see is that Flanders needs Brussels as a capital, as a meeting place with
other cultures, as a gateway to the world. Brussels can turn Flanders into an intercultural
society. It makes the Flemish Community open and rich.
Conversely, Brussels also needs Flanders. In Brussels, the Flemish Community provides a
rich network of cultural, educational, health and welfare provisions. Without Flanders,
Brussels would become narrow and rigid, cut off from the vital oxygen and energy that it
needs. In order to promote this combined action between the Flemish Community and its
capital, it is necessary to tackle prejudices.
This brochure describes a part of Flanders in Brussels. Flanders is a Brabant city, where
hundreds of thousands of Flemish people are still living and working today, together with
other cultural communities. Brussels is a piece of us. It is our heart. It is a city to cherish.
Bert Anciaux
Flemish Minister for Culture, Youth, Sport and Brussels Affairs
06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:39 Pagina 2
CULTURAL
CROSSROADS
WORKING, LIVING AND WELFAREBEING
YOUNG
IN
BRUSSELS
Cultural crossroads 2————————
Working, living and welfare 12————————
Being young in Brussels 20————————
Capital of Flanders 28————————
CAPITAL OF FLANDERS
Discover the Flemish side of Brussels
This brochure introduces you to the Flemish networks in Brussels. Brussels is
the capital of Flanders, the Dutch-language part of Belgium, and through the
years the Flemish Community has developed a network of provisions which
makes Brussels even more attractive for visitors and inhabitants. In culture,
welfare, education, youth initiatives – Flemish people have put their mark on
Brussels everywhere. Feel free to get to know these Flemish initiatives in
Brussels in situ. The list of addresses given after the end of every chapter will
help you on your way. The initiatives shown in bold in the text are found in
the list of addresses.
06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:39 Pagina 1
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Do you know Brussels? Only very few people will be able to
answer this absolutely affirmatively. Even people who have been
living in Brussels for years still regularly discover new corners of
the city. The Brussels of the Manneken Pis and the Atomium do
not resemble the bustling Brussels of the Matongewijk or the
exotic chaos of the Zuidmarkt on a Sunday. The impressive
Leopoldswijk district, the high-rise buildings at the Noord station,
the majestic avenues and symmetrical parks are every bit as
much a part of Brussels as the small streets with hidden restau-
rants and cafes and unexpected meetings around every corner.
CULTURAL
CROSSROADS
Cultural crossroadsCultural crossroads
The tests of an infinite range of provisionsBrussels reveals many faces in the confusion of streets and squares, museums and libraries, markets
and boutiques. In the evening, countless concert halls and theatres, cafes and restaurants provide a
colourful cocktail of culture and entertainment. In this delicious mixture which is Brussels, the Flemish
ingredients provide an extra zing.
Who can say that they knowBrussels?
06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:39 Pagina 2
Downtown Brussel?At the moment one of the trendiest districts is close to the
Beurs, around the Oude and Nieuwe Graanmarkt, the Sint
Katelijneplein and the Sint-Gorikswijk district. This rather
dilapidated district has been given a new lease of life since
the 1990s. Artists, writers, film makers, designers, often
Dutch speaking, found homes there or a place to work. The
central artery is the Dansaertstraat with art galleries, fash-
ion shops, antique shops, cafes and restaurants alternat-
ing with traditional commercial shops.
This district is the heart of the Brussels fashion world.
Anyone who would like to discover this can start at Modo
Bruxellae in the Léon Lepagestraat. This organisation
brings together young designers and businesses, awards
prizes, arranges stock sales and organises the well known
Stylists event every two years. De Markten , one of the 22
Flemish community centres in Brussels, is close by on the
attractive Oude Graanmarkt. Cultural and other activities
take place in the renovated old exhibition halls of the Val
Saint-Lambert glass factory. The café of De Markten is a
pleasant meeting place where you can get to know many
Flemish people in Brussels while you have a drink and a
bite to eat.
Classical cultural facilitiesLovers of culture can find something to do every day in
Brussels. When you think of culture it is impossible to ignore a
number of great Belgium institutes. For example in the
Jubelpark museum – part of the Royal Museums for Art and
History – there is a very diverse collection of objects, ranging
from the Egyptian civilisation to medieval retables and tapes-
tries, and pre-Columbian art. Approximately 20,000 paintings,
sculptures and drawings are stored or exhibited in the four mu-
seums which form part of the Royal Museums for Fine Arts .
On the Kunstberg, the Palace of Fine Arts, or Bozar , opens up
its large halls to exhibitions, concerts, dance and all sorts of
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06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:40 Pagina 3
other activities. The film museum can be found in the same
location. Five film classics can be seen there every day of the
year. The Stripmuseum in the Zandstraat is also well known
in Brussels and beyond. It is accommodated in a splendid
building designed by Victor Horta. Furthermore, the strip walk
determines the look of the streets in various places in
Brussels, with enlarged cartoons on blind walls. Obviously the
Munt Theatre should not be left off the list. This is the cele-
brated opera house which is one of the best in Europe.
In addition to these classical Belgian institutions, there are
many well known Brussels cultural centres which have develop-
ed specifically from the Flemish community. Through the
years, the Flemish community has built up a network of cul-
tural initiatives which help to give the city life and culture of
Brussels extra character. In fact, one museum is devoted to
this, the Archives and Museum of Flemish Life in Brussels
(AMVB) , which also keeps and studies the archives of
many Flemish-Brussels organisations. Meanwhile, a striking
number of these Flemish cultural institutions have become
part of the establishment, often accommodated in beauti-
fully restored historical locations. They have something else
in common: they enter into a dialogue and work, sometimes
very intensively, with the other language and cultural com-
munities in Brussels.
In front of the footlightsFor example, the Kaaitheater is located in the canal zone,
on the Sainctelette Square. This art centre has historically
focused on innovative theatre, dances and concerts. In
addition to its own productions a great deal of attention is
also devoted to co-productions, and the Kaaitheater puts
Brussels Bubbles
It is also possible to quench your thirst with a typicalBrussels brew: the “geuze”. This beer is the result of amixture of brews of different ages which ferment spon-taneously for a second time in the bottle. Traditionally, itis said that Geuze can only be brewed in the Zenne val-ley, because the right wild yeasts are found only there.The Geuze is a mild foaming beer with a rather sourtaste which is every bit as good as champagne, accordingto the people of Brussels.
The fact that Brussels is a city of beer is also clear fromBrussels cuisine, in which rabbit with Geuze or withKriek is a traditional dish. And how else can you describea city which has both a Geuze museum, a beer museumand a brewery museum?
CULTURAL
CROSSROADS
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06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:40 Pagina 4
on large-scale productions with an international image
both in Belgium and abroad. The Kaaitheater also has one
of the largest stages in Brussels. For smaller productions,
it moved to the nearby Kaaitheater studios, in a former
brewery. It was in the Kaaitheater, that Anne Teresa De
Keersmaeker found a stage to launch her career.
Meanwhile her dance company Rosas has become the
home company of the Munt. The international dance
school P.A.RT.S. also developed from this cooperation.
Slightly closer to the centre is the Royal
Flemish Theater , abbreviated KVS. In
this historical theatre, one of the oldest
and most beautiful theatres in Brussels,
our own actors and directors are producing plays for a
broad general public, but foreign productions and compa-
nies are also staged there. The KVS does not lose sight of
the urban reality, resulting for example in productions
together with young immigrants in the district.
Close to the Grote Markt and the Beurs, the
Beursschouwburg determines the appearance of the
street. The emphasis there is on a mixture of disciplines
and genres, of art and everyday life, local and internation-
al talent. The Beursschouwburg supports and stimulates
talented young people and is not afraid of staging experi-
mental work from Flanders and abroad. Dance, perform-
ance, music, theatre and all sorts of combinations are all
possible in the Beursschouwburg.
Live in the ABAnother cultural centre in the centre of the city is the now
almost legendary concert hall Ancienne Belgique , on the
Anspachlaan. Lou Reed, The Cure, Red Hot Chili Peppers
have all played there, but Flemish rock,
world music and other genres also
appear on the programme. For more
intimate concerts there is the Club.
Another popular venue is the Flagey
building which accommodates the Flemish Radio
Orchestra, the Flemish Radio Choir and the Flemish
Brussels media. The artistic activities focus on visual art
and music and transcend the communities. In the future,
the Flagey can develop to become a Flemish art centre that
is open to other cultures.
Of course the French language community in Brussels also
has its own cultural centres, the best known of which is the
Théâtre National on the Emile Jacqmainlaan, the
Hallen in Schaarbeek, and the Botanique . In fact, the
Flemish and French language cultural institutions regular-
ly co-operate on productions, events, etc. One example of
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Flemish initiatives, but ina dialogue with other
communities
< THE CAFÉ OF DE MARKTEN IS A PLEASANT
MEETING PLACE WHERE YOU CAN GET TO KNOW MANY
FLEMISH PEOPLE IN BRUSSELS.
<< BRUSSELS CULTURAL CENTRES LIKE THE
BEURSSCHOUWBURG AND THE AMVB HAVE
DEVELOPED SPECIFICALLY FROM THE FLEMISH
COMMUNITY.
06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:40 Pagina 5
this cooperation is the international Passa Porta house
of literature in the Dansaertstraat, a combined initiative of
the literary associations Het Beschrijf and Entrez Lire .
In addition to the established centres, new initiatives are
constantly emerging in the lively city of Brussels. In many
cases it is not even possible to say from which language
community they have developed. One of the most striking
in recent years is Recyclart , which is developing a broad
range of social and artistic activities in the Kapellekerk sta-
tion of Brussels that is no longer used as a station. This
ranges from music, clubbing, multi media, to the visual
arts and design and workshops, training and what they
call themselves “conquering the public space”.
Local and socialThe 22 community centres which form the local focus for
Flemish social and cultural life are a very specific Brussels
phenomenon. All the Brussels municipalities have one. The
community centres organise theatre productions, perform-
ances, exhibitions, events, courses, Dutch language les-
sons for adults from other countries, etc. They serve as a
meeting centre and often also provide social services, both
for Flemish people and for people with different back-
grounds. For example, six community centres in Brussels
Oost have drawn up a programme to bring together mem-
bers from the various different communities in Brussels.
Under the heading Glad to meet you they organise all
sorts of socio-cultural activities and courses in different
languages. The socio-multicultural centre Globe Aroma
brings together newcomers, refugees and other inhabitants
of Brussels in studios, a world café, world dances, work-
shops, an educational programme etc. Brussels also has a
Dutch language adult education centre, Citizenne , where
you can go for workshops, courses, meetings etc.
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The tentacles of the Zinneke
In 2000 a new event made a big impression in Brussels:the Zinneke Parade . Literally from every corner of thecity, colourful streams of Brussels inhabitants came tothe centre to celebrate their city. This ode to creativitytakes place every two years in May and is supported byFrench, Dutch and other language associations andartists who perform their acts in creative workshops inthe districts of Brussels across every discipline and cul-ture. The parade focuses on the Brussels identity, the cos-mopolitan and multicultural wealth of the city. Thename Zinneke is not arbitrary. In the Brussels dialect, aZinneke is a street dog, i.e., someone of mixed origin, amixture of Flemish, Walloon, Italian, Spanish, Arabic,English, German and other races.
CULTURAL
CROSSROADS
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Every day is an event In Brussels there will be a festival happening some-
where every day of the year, often with a large Flemish
contribution. There are music festivals such as the clas-
sical Festival of Flanders in autumn, the Brussels Jazz
Marathon in May, the world music festival Couleur
Café , the jazz and folk festival Brosella , the summer
lunch concerts Boterhammen in de Stad , and the park
festival Plazey by the Basilica. There are also festivals
relating to film, literature and many other art forms. It is
worth mentioning the unique International Festival of
Fantastic Film and the literary event Het Groot
Beschrijf. In May, the city is taken over by the
KunstenFESTIVALdesArts , which, as its name sug-
gests, is a bilingual festival with theatre, music, dance,
film, opera, the visual arts and multimedia. Most festi-
vals are no longer confined to halls or theatres: they
also take place out in the streets. Other events which
are worth experiencing include some which are rooted
in Flemish popular culture such as the Ommegang in
July and the planting of the May tree in August.
Brussels buglesBrussels inhabitants who wish to remain informed
about what is happening in the city and in the Dutch
language community can consult various media. FM
Brussel , TV-Brussel , and the city newspaper
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Brussels welcome and promotion:the city opens its arms
In order to get a good view of Brusselsyou do not necessarily have to climb upthe stairs of the Palace of Justice or theBasilica of Koekelberg. It is easier to visitthe Brussels Welcome and PromotionCentre (OPB) on the Muntplein. Anyonewho is looking for information about the Flemish networksand Dutch language initiatives in Brussels will find whatthey are looking for there. Some projects include:
• The website www.opbrussel.be contains all sorts of infor-mation for exploring the city. OPB may also be reached bytelephone on 0800 13 700.
• Brussels Open City: every month you can be introduced toBrussels and the numerous initiatives of Dutch languageassociations during a theme walk. You can choosebetween Dutch,French and English. Participation is free ofcharge.
• Broodje Brussel (Brussels Roll): There are all sorts of thingsto do in Brussels during a lunch break. There are concerts,theatre, exhibitions, film: Broodje Brussel collects all thepossibilities focusing on everyone who works in Brussels.
• Brussel XL : the three-monthly free magazine Brussel XLdescribes what is happening in the city and invites you toparticipate.
• De Gulden Ontsporing: 11 July, the Flemish holiday, is cele-brated in Brussels with all sorts of activities in the city anda big party on the Grote Markt.
• Day of the Student in Brussels: every year in October, thisday of meetings for students in Brussels is an event not tobe missed.
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CULTURAL
CROSSROADS
Brussel Deze Week developed from fairly small-scale ini-
tiatives to become essential channels of information. They
found an ideal base in the former broadcasting building of
the national television company on the Flagey square and
combined their forces in the news portal
brusselnieuws.be .
FM Brussel (98.8 FM) started as a student radio broad-
casting company of the film school RITS that has now
developed to become the city radio. It broadcasts a com-
bination of news programmes, broad cultural information,
Brussels political news, traffic information with a signifi-
cant proportion of music and in this way serves as a sound
track of city life. FM Brussel is mainly in the Dutch lan-
guage, but in a programme such as FM World, on Saturday
and Sunday afternoon, the broadcaster brings the whole
world to the studio, and switches quickly from one lan-
guage to another. FM Brussel can be heard everywhere via
the website.
Brussel Deze Week is a fat and varied city paper which is
delivered to thousands of inhabitants of Brussels and
interested Flemish people every week. Economics, culture,
a social and political life – every aspect of life in Brussels
is covered. Special attention is devoted to the initiatives of
the Flemish Community. Brussel Deze Week also distrib-
utes the Agenda, a magazine for going out which is pub-
lished in Dutch, French and English.
TV-Brussel is the regional broadcaster for the capital city.
Every evening from 6 p.m., TV-Brussel broadcasts a variety
of news and a current affairs programme. The broadcasts
are in Dutch but there are French and English subtitles, a
clear sign that it also wants to promote communication
between the different population groups in Brussels. It is
successful because six out of ten viewers speak a different
language.
Burning topics
You can now keep a close eye on what is happening in Brussels at any time of the day thanks to brusselnieuws.be. FM Brussel, TV-Brussel and BrusselDeze Week use the website to offer detailed accountsof what is going on in the capital city, focusing on various categories of news including culture, politics,the economy and sport. If you miss a broadcast by TV-Brussel or FM Brussel you can always pay a visit to brusselnieuws.be to hear or watch the latest programmes.www.brusselnieuws.be
06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:41 Pagina 8
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Brussels Welcome and Promotion (Onthaal en Promotie Brussel):
0800 13 700
You can ask any questions about Brussels and the Dutch language
initiative at the not-for-profit Brussels Welcome and Promotion (OPB):
Onthaal en Promotie Brussel, Prinsenstraat 8 (near the Muntplein),
1000 Brussels. Open every working day from 8.30 to 17.30, T 0800 13
700, info@opbrussel.be, www.opbrussel.be
Flemish Community Commission (Vlaamse Gemeenschaps-
commissie): www.digitaalbrussel.be and www.vgc.be
The Flemish Community Commission is pivotal in Flemish community
life in Brussels. On its website you can find information about culture,
education, welfare and health care, child care, sport, youth organisa-
tions, etc. You can also find the addresses of community centres there.
Brussel Internationaal, the tourist office of the Brussels Capital
Region has an office on the Grote Markt and an information depart-
ment in the large hall of the Zuidstation. Brussel Internationaal,
Stadhuis, Grote Markt, 1000 Brussels, T 02 513 89 40, tourism@
brusselsinternational.be, www.brusselsinternational.be
Exploring the city
Dozens of organisations organise tours of the city in Brussels. These
work both in the Dutch language and in other languages. A detailed
summary can be found on the website www.opbrussel.be and in the
brochure Boordevol Brussel, which can be ordered from Brussels
Welcome and Promotion at 0800 13 700. Here are a few examples
from the range of possibilities:
Brukselbinnenstebuiten, Hopstraat 47, 1000 Brussels, T 02 218 38 78,
bruksel@skynet.be, www.brukselbinnenstebuiten.be
Brussels by Water, Akenkaai 2bis, 1000 Brussels, T 02 203 64 06,
bbw@scaldisnet.be, www.scaldisnet.be
GBB - Gidsendienst BI-TC, Grote Markt-Stadhuis 1, 1000 Brussels,
T 02 548 04 48, guides@brusselsinternational.be
Klare Lijn, Gilisquetlaan 92, 1030 Schaarbeek, T 02 400 83 49,
klarelijn@tiscali.be
Korei, Liebrechtlaan 37/6, 1090 Jette, T 02 380 22 09, korei@skynet.be,
www.korei.be
Brussel Open Stad, Brussels Welcome and Promotion, Prinsenstraat 8,
1000 Brussels, T 0800 13 700, info@opbrussel.be, www.opbrussel.be
Pro Velo, Londenstraat 15, 1050 Brussels, T 02 502 73 55,
fietstoerisme@provelo.org, www.provelo.org
VTB-VAB Brusselgidsen, Osystraat 35, 2060 Antwerp, T 03 224 10 52,
info.cultuur@vtb.be, www.brusselgidsen.be
Tours that are accessible for the disabled
The brochure Steden anders bekeken (Looking at Cities Differently)
can be ordered from Brussels Welcome and Promotion (Onthaal en
Promotie Brussel), T 0800 13 700
Museums
Brusselse Museumraad: www.brusselsmuseums.be
This website contains general information on most Brussels museums.
Jubelpark museum (Royal Museums for Art and History), Jubelpark
10, 1000 Brussels, T 02 741 72 11, www.kmkg-mrah.be
Addresses
06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:41 Pagina 9
Royal Museum for the Army and the History of War (Koninklijk
museum van het Leger en de Krijgsgeschiedenis), Jubelpark 3,
1000 Brussels, T 02 737 78 11, www.klm-mra.be
Royal Museums for Fine Arts of Belgium (Koninklijke Musea voor
Schone Kunsten van België): www.fine-arts-museum.be
Museum of Ancient Art (Museum voor Oude Kunst),
Regentschapsstraat 3, 1000 Brussels, T 02 508 32 11
Museum of Modern Art (Museum voor Moderne Kunst),
Koningsplein 1-2, 1000 Brussels, T 02 508 32 11
Wiertzmuseum, Vautierstraat 62, 1050 Brussels, T 02 648 17 18
Meuniermuseum, Abdijstraat 59, 1050 Brussels , T 02 648 44 49
Archives and Museum of Flemish Life in Brussels (Archief en
Museum van het Vlaams Leven te Brussel (AMVB), Arduinkaai 28,
1000 Brussels, T 02 512 42 81, info@amvb.be, http://amvb.vgc.be
Stripmuseum (Belgian Centre of the Cartoon - Belgisch Centrum van
het Beeldverhaal), Zandstraat 20, 1000 Brussels, T 02 219 19 80,
visit@stripmuseum.be, www.stripmuseum.be
Literature
Capital Public Library (Hoofdstedelijke Openbare Bibliotheek)
Muntplein 6, 1000 Brussels, T 02 229 18 40, info@hob.be, www.hob.be
Youth department: Schildknaapstraat 28, 1000 Brussel.
Vorst branch: Bondgenotenstraat 54, 1190 Brussels, T 02 343 20 04
Sint-Gillis branch: Fortstraat 35a, 1060 Brussels, T 02 541 01 72
Koekelberg branch: Pantheonlaan 12-13, 1081 Brussels, T 02 411 08 65
Various Brussels municipalities have their own Dutch language libraries.
You can find all the addresses on www.brusselse-bibliotheken.be
Het Beschrijf, A. Dansaertstraat 46, 1000 Brussels, T 02 223 68 32,
www.beschrijf.be
Passa Porta, A. Dansaertstraat 46, 1000 Brussels, T 02 226 04 54,
www.passaporta.be
Entrez Lire, A. Dansaertstraat 46, 1000 Brussels, T 02 513 46 74,
info@entrezlire.be, www.entrezlire.be
Performance
Ancienne Belgique, Anspachlaan 110, 1000 Brussels, T 02 548 24 00,
info@abconcerts.be, www.abconcerts.be
Beursschouwburg, Auguste Ortsstraat 20-28, 1000 Brussels, T 02
550 03 50, www.beursschouwburg.be
Kaaitheater, Akenkaai 2, 1000 Brussels, T 02 201 58 58,
info@kaaitheater.be, www.kaaitheater.be
Royal Flemish Theater (Koninklijke Vlaamse Schouwburg),
Arduinkaai 7, 1000 Brussels, T 02 210 11 12, info@kvs.be, www.kvs.be
Bozar, Ravensteinstraat 23, 1000 Brussels, T 02 507 84 44, www.bozar.be
Flagey, Heilig Kruisplein, 1050 Elsene, T 02 641 10 20, info@flagey.be,
www.flagey.be
Munt Theatre (Koninklijke Muntschouwburg), Leopoldstraat 4,
1000 Brussels, T 02 229 13 72, info@demunt.be
Recyclart, Brussels – Kapellekerk station, Ursulinenstraat 25,
1000 Brussels, T 02 502 57 34, info@recyclart.be, www.recyclart.be
Théâtre National de la Communauté Wallonie Bruxelles,
Emile Jacqmainlaan 111-115, 1000 Brussels, T 02 203 41 55,
theatrenational@theatrenational.be, www.theatrenational.be
Les Halles de Schaerbeek, Koninklijke Mariastraat 22b,
1030 Schaarbeek, T 02 218 21 07, info@halles.be, www.halles.be
Le Botanique, Koningsstraat 236, 1210 Brussels, T 02 218 37 32,
info@botanique.be, www.botanique.be
Social-cultural
Glad to meet you, T 02 762 37 74, contact@gtmy.be, http://gtmy.vgc.be
Citizenne, Vormingplus Brussels, Liedtsstraat 27-29, 1030 Brussels,
T 02 240 95 22, info@citizenne.be, www.citizenne.be
Globe Aroma, Cellebroersstraat 16, 1000 Brussels, T 02 511 21 10,
info@globearoma.be, www.globearoma.be
Community centres
Anderlecht: De Rinck, Dapperheidsplein 7, 1070 Brussels,
T 02 524 32 35, derinck@vgc.be
Brussel: De Markten, Oude Graanmarkt 5, 1000 Brussels,
T 02 512 34 25, demarkten@vgc.be
Elsene: Elzenhof, Kroonlaan 12-16, 1050 Brussels, T 02 648 20 30,
elzenhof@vgc.be
Etterbeek: De Maalbeek, Oudergemselaan 90, 1040 Brussels,
T 02 734 84 43, demaalbeek@vgc.be
Evere: Everna, Sint-Vincentiusstraat 30, 1140 Brussels,
T 02 242 99 67, everna@vgc.be
Ganshoren: De Zeyp, Van Overbekelaan 164, 1083 Brussels,
T 02 422 00 11, 02-422 00 12, dezeyp@vgc.be
Haren: De Linde, Cortenbachstraat 7, 1130 Brussels, T 02 242 31 47,
delinde@vgc.be
Jette: Essegem, Leopold I-straat 329, 1090 Brussels, T 02 427 80 39,
essegem@vgc.be
Koekelberg: De Platoo, Pantheonlaan 14, 1081 Brussels,
T 02 412 00 50, deplatoo@vgc.be
Laken: Nekkersdal, E. Bockstaellaan 107, 1020 Brussels,
T 02 420 56 56, nekkersdal@vgc.be
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CULTURAL
CROSSROADS
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Neder-Over-Heembeek: De Mutsaard, De Wandstraat 14,
1020 Brussels, T 02 268 20 82, heembeek-mutsaard@vgc.be
Oudergem: Den Dam, Waversesteenweg 1747, 1160 Brussels,
T 02 663 89 50, dendam@vgc.be
Schaarbeek: De Kriekelaar, Gallaitstraat 86, 1030 Brussels,
T 02 245 75 22, dekriekelaar@vgc.be
Sint-Agatha-Berchem: De Kroon, J. B. Vandendrieschstraat 19,
1082 Brussels, T 02 482 00 10, dekroon@vgc.be
Sint-Gillis: De Pianofabriek, Fortstraat 35a, 1060 Brussels,
T 02 541 01 70, depianofabriek@vgc.be
Sint-Jans-MoIenbeek: De Vaartkapoen, Schoolstraat 76,
1080 Brussels, T 02 414 29 07, devaartkapoen@vgc.be
Sint-Joost-ten-Node: Ten Noey, Gemeentestraat 25, 1210 Brussels,
T 02 217 08 82, tennoey@vgc.be
Sint-Lambrechts-WoIuwe: Op-Weule, Sint-Lambertustraat 91,
1200 Brussels, T 02 775 92 00, op-weule@vcg.be
Sint-Pieters-Woluwe: Kontakt, Orbanlaan 54, 1150 Brussels,
T 02 762 37 74, kontakt@vgc.be
Ukkel: Candelaershuys, Brugmannlaan 433, 1180 Brussels,
T 02 343 46 58, candelaershuys@vgc.be
Vorst: Ten Weyngaert, Bondgenotenstraat 54, 1190 Brussels,
T 02 340 95 80, tenweyngaert@vgc.be
Watermaal-Bosvoorde: Wabo, Delleurlaan 39-43, 1170 Brussels,
T 02 675 40 10, wabo@vgc.be
The websites of the community centres can be found on www.
digitaalbrussel.be
Fashion
Modo Bruxellae, Léon Lepagestraat 38, 1000 Brussels,
T 02 502 52 64, info@modobruxellae.be, www.modobruxellae.be
Events/festivals
Zinneke, Anspach Center, Anspachlaan 30-36, 1000 Brussels,
T 02 214 20 07, info@zinneke.org, www.zinneke.org
KunstenFESTIVALdesArts, Handelskaai 18, 1000 Brussels,
T 02 219 07 07, www.kunstenfestivaldesarts.be
Festival of Flanders Brussels, Ravensteinstraat 60, 1000 Brussels,
T 02 548 95 95, info@festival.be, www.festival-van-vlaanderen.be
Brussels Jazz Marathon, www.brusselsjazzmarathon.be
Brussels International Festival of Fantastic Film, www.bifff.org
Couleur Café, www.couleurcafe.be
Brosella, T 02 270 98 56, info@brosella.be, www.brosella.be
Boterhammen in de Stad, www.boterhammenindestad.be,
www.feeerieen.be
Plazey, www.plazey.be
Media
Brussel Deze Week / Agenda
Flageyplein 18, 1050 Elsene, T 02 226 45 45, bdw@stadskrant.be,
www.brusseldezeweek.be
Subscriptions: free for the people of Brussels, 15 euros a year for oth-
ers. Inhabitants of Flanders can apply for a free trial subscription.
Zone 02
A free city magazine with a cultural agenda which can be found in
Brussels and the peripheral municipalities in post offices, cultural
venues, shopping centres, etc. T 02 454 26 26.
TV-Brussel
T 02 702 87 30, nieuws@tv-brussel.be, www.tv-brussel.be
Every Saturday at 12.30, TV-Brussel present a summary of news of the
past week on Eén.
FM Brussel
98.8 FM, can be heard as far as Mechelen and Leuven or on the website
T 02 800 08 08, www.fmbrussel.be
www.brusselnieuws.be
The latest news from Brussels.
www.opbrussel.be
You can find cultural news about Brussels, a detailed diary, planned
tours of the city, city news, links and much more, such as the OPB
newsletter to inform you about forthcoming events on the website of
Onthaal en Promotie Brussel.
Brussel XL
A three-monthly magazine from Brussels Welcome and Promotion, with
news about Brussels and the main cultural events. It is distributed free
of charge in Flanders and in Brussels, through cultural centres,
libraries, museums, theatres, institutues of higher education, tourist
information offices, etc. You can find a list on www.opbrussel.be. A
postal subsciption costs 5 euros, or you can call 0800 13 700.
We are doing everything we can to keep the contact addresses
in this brochure up to date. However, if you think that a contact
address is out of date please let us know. In that case we will
change it in the next edition:
Ministry of the Flemish community, Administrative Coordination
Brussels Unit, Boudewijnlaan 30, 1000 Brussel, T 02 553 56 28,
brussel@vlaanderen.be, www.vlaanderen.be/brussel
06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:41 Pagina 11
Approximately one million people live in the nineteen
municipalities of Brussels. In the streets, you can see and
hear that these inhabitants of Brussels are very different.
Approximately one in three residents of Brussels do not
have Belgian nationality. More than half of the non-
Belgians come from the European Union, with the French,
Italians, Spanish and Portuguese in the lead. Of the non-
Belgians from outside the European Union, by far the
largest group consists of Moroccans. In addition, there are
also many residents of Brussels of foreign origin who do
have Belgian nationality.
The capital of Flanders has developed to become a mul-
tilingual city of minorities. Its international character will
continue to increase with the European Union. This
development should not be seen as a threat to Dutch cul-
ture. On the contrary, the diversity is a source of cultural
enrichment if it is experienced in a spirit of respect for
everyone’s identity.
This intercultural society also comprises a large group of
Dutch speaking Brussels inhabitants. Over the years, they
have developed a network of initiatives and institutions
which means that life is good in Brussels, both for Flemish
people and for people who speak a different language.
A daily migration In addition to the Flemish people who live in Brussels, tens
of thousands of people come to work in Brussels every
day. Of the estimated 650,000 jobs in Brussels approxi-
mately half are taken up by resident of Brussels and half
by commuters, the majority of whom are Flemish. About a
quarter of a million people travel to the capital every day
by train, car or bike – this is quite a migration. One of the
main reasons why so many Dutch language commuters
work in Brussels is the fact that many Flemish people are
bilingual. After all, for many employers in Brussels a
knowledge of French as well as Dutch is essential.
Almost 40% of the people who work in Brussels work in
the public sector. Brussels is the capital of Belgium, of
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Working, livingand welfareWorking, livingand welfare
Like a magnet, Brussels attracts people to live and work there. They come from every corner of the world, but
also from Flanders. Brussels is confronted with the typical problems of a large city, but living there can still be
surprisingly pleasant. Many Flemish initiatives contribute to this. And did you know Brussels is the greenest
capital in Europe?
The inhabitants of Brusselsand commuters
06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:41 Pagina 12
WORKING, LIVING AND WELFARE
One in three inhabitants of Brussels are not Belgian.
06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:41 Pagina 13
When this brochure refers to Brusselsthis means the Brussels Capital Regionwhich consists of the nineteenBrussels municipalities.
However, when you walk aroundBrussels you will find that it is notinterpreted in this way by everyone. Afew terms are described below to avoidconfusion indicating the postal areasbetween brackets:
The pentagon or 1000 Brussels is thecity centre, bordered by the largeavenues of the small ring.
The City of Brussels is one of the nine-teen municipalities and itself consistsof six large districts:• the pentagon (1000);• Laken (1020);• Neder-Over-Heembeek (1120);• Haren (1130);• the southern part Louiza-Roosevelt
(1050);• the European district (1040).
The Brussels Capital Region consists ofthe following nineteen municipalities:• Brussels (see above);• Schaarbeek (1030);• Etterbeek (1040);
• Elsene (1050);• Sint-Gillis (1060);• Anderlecht (1070);• Sint-Jans-Molenbeek (1080);• Koekelberg (1081);• Sint-Agatha-Berchem (1082);• Ganshoren (1083);• Jette (1090);• Evere (1140);• Sint-Pieters-Woluwe (1150);• Oudergem (1160);• Watermaal-Bosvoorde (1170);• Ukkel (1180);• Vorst (1190);• Sint-Lambrechts-Woluwe (1200);• Sint-Joost-ten-Node (1210).
From 1000 Brussels to “the Nineteen”
Sint-Gillis
Sint-Joost-ten-Node
Oudergem
Sint-Lambrechts-Woluwe
Evere
Schaarbeek
Neder-over-HeembeekHaren Jette
Koekelberg
the pentagon
Laken
Etterbeek
Elsene
Sint-Pieters-Woluwe
Watermaal-Bosvoorde
City of Brussels
06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:42 Pagina 14
Flanders and of the French Community and the lion’s share
of the government administration takes place there. In
addition, Brussels is also the political capital and decision
making centre of the European Union. Many European and
other international institutions are concentrated there.
Apart from New York there is no other city that has more
diplomats than Brussels.
Brussels attracts the worldThe international institutions also attract offices of solici-
tors, consultancy agencies, lobbyists, advertising people
and journalists. In addition, many international companies
want to be located next to the European decision-making
centre. These companies in turn attract other service com-
panies.
Brussels is also very strategically situated in a densely
populated and wealthy region in the centre of Europe. The
nearby international airport of Zaventem connects the city
with all the European capitals and the other continents.
With a high speed train, it is only one and a half hours to
Paris and less than three hours to the centre of Amsterdam
or London. Brussels is also a financial centre. In 2000, the
Brussels stock exchange merged with the stock exchanges
in Amsterdam and Paris, amongst others, to become the
Pan-European exchange Euronext.
The Brussels economy is above all a service economy:
more than 85% of the added value and employment are in
this sector. In 1900, Brussels was still the main industrial
city in the country. In the early 1960s, industry started to
decline at the same time that Brussels started to become
an international capital. However, there are still about 300
industrial companies active in the Brussels canal zone. The
growth sectors are information and communication tech-
nology, with no fewer than 700 companies, but also the
health sector, the food industry, and the precision industry
are becoming increasingly important.
The people of Brussels are poorer andmore often unemployed
Brussels has enormous economic importance, but at the
same time, the average income of the inhabitants of
Brussels is low and the region has the highest level of
unemployment in the country. Brussels is economically
rich but socially poor: this is the Brussels paradox. In 2003
| |15
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deBuren (Neighbours): at hometogether with one language
Promoting the Dutch language in Europe and the worldis the mission of DeBuren , the Flemish-Dutch Centrewhich opened its doors in the Leopoldstraat in 2004,right next to the Brussels Muntschouwburg. Withapproximately 22 million Dutch speakers in Flandersand the Netherlands, Dutch is a medium-sized languagein the European Union. DeBuren is a joint initiative ofFlanders and the Netherlands and provides a platformfor the debate about a cultural Europe and gives infor-mation about Dutch language and culture and presentsthis to Europe.
WORKING, LIVING AND WELFARE
06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:42 Pagina 15
the level of unemployment was higher than 20%, while the
national average is 11.9%. Between 1990 and 2004 the
number of unemployed people in Brussels increased by
approximately 60%. Unemployment is particularly high in
young people and people with a low level of education. In
addition, there are also enormous differences between the
different municipalities of Brussels. The richest municipal-
ities are in the south east and north
west, with Ukkel, Watermaal-Bosvoorde,
Oudergem, Sint-Pieters-Woluwe, and
Sint-Lambrechts-Woluwe. The poorest
municipalities are closer to the city cen-
tre, such as Sint-Joost-ten-Node, Sint-Jans-Molenbeek,
Sint-Gillis and Schaarbeek. Within the municipalities there
are also large differences between individual districts.
Anyone living or working in Brussels is regularly confronted
with poverty, dilapidation and other less attractive aspects
of city life. However, if you spend some time there, you will
find that something is being done about this. Slum areas are
being renovated and are once again attracting more pros-
perous residents. The governments and institutions of
Brussels and Flanders have taken steps to combat unem-
ployment, for example with targeted vocational training.
A healthy networkThe Flemish initiatives in Brussels make efforts every day
to improve the quality of life in Brussels and make it more
pleasant. For example, at the level of health and welfare
there is an extensive network of facilities:
from pre-school and after-school child-
care , toy libraries and educational sup-
port, to specific initiatives aimed at the
elderly or the disabled. Many organisa-
tions are actively involved in combating deprivation, look-
ing after the homeless and other forms of welfare work,
such as, for example, the Centres for General Welfare work
(CAW), which are found throughout the city, as well as ini-
tiatives working specifically with socially vulnerable young
people in the district. In Brussels there is also a Dutch
| |16
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A Dutch-language House
More and more people in Brussels are interested in theDutch language. Anyone who is looking for a suitablecourse of Dutch should certainly go and visit the Dutch-language House . This provides information about allthe existing courses and you can find out which coursewould suit you best.After all, a knowledge of Dutch is a very importantadvantage in the search for work. There are also otherreasons to learn Dutch: perhaps because your children goto a Dutch-language school, or because you have Dutch-speaking friends, or simply because you would miss alarge part of the city life without Dutch.The Dutch-language House is looking for ways ofimproving the quality of courses and co-ordinatingthem better with the needs. For example the Houseorganises tailor-made Dutch language courses fortraders and sales people in the centre of Brussels. Inaddition it encourages everyone to speak Dutch in thecity. After all, many tend to use French too quickly.If you want to maintain your knowledge of Dutch outsidethe classroom as well, the activities of Bru-TAAL may bethe thing for you. You can test your Dutch in practice inan enjoyable way during a pleasant cultural evening, in acafé or other activities organised by Bru-TAAL.
Flemish network:also at the level ofwelfare and health
06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:43 Pagina 16
| |17
||
language hospital, the Academisch Ziekenhuis , of the
Free University of Brussels (VUB). It has 700 beds and is
obviously also open to people who speak other languages.
An essential facility for all the Flemish people in Brussels
is the Brussels Zakboekje, which contains hundreds of
social initiatives. It is published by the Brussels Welfare
and Health Council , which supports Dutch language
welfare and healthcare in Brussels.
In the field of work and training the Dutch language network
also takes many initiatives where both Dutch-speaking
people and people speaking other languages can go. For
training and employment or information about this, there is
Tracé . In addition, there are many other centres, such as,
for example, Brusselleer, which organise specific training.
Newcomers can go to the Brussels Reception Agency for
Newcomers (BON) in the Philippe de Champagnestraat,
for an introductory social orientation, basic knowledge of
Dutch, and the first steps to find employment.
Living in Brussels but without a premiumAnyone who is considering going to live in Brussels should
certainly go and have a look at Living in Brussels (Wonen
in Brussel). You can go there with all your questions about
buying or renting a house in Brussels. You can also find
many tips and interesting information on the website.
Living in Brussels regularly organises housing tours:
during these tours, you are introduced to the city and can
go into a number of houses.
To help resolve a widely held misconception straightaway:
there is no premium for Flemish people who come to live
in Brussels, except for the civil servants of the Flemish
Community Commission. However, the Brussels Capital
Region and various municipalities do provide premiums,
for example, for renovation or cleaning the exterior of
buildings.
Playing football on a bath towelWith more than a hundred parks, thousands of city gar-
dens and the extensive Zoniënwoud , Brussels is the
greenest capital in Europe. Obviously, some municipalities
are greener than others, but in general the inhabitants of
Brussels have no reason to complain. For example,
WORKING, LIVING AND WELFARE
< IN THE STREETS, YOU CAN SEE AND HEAR THAT THE
INHABITANTS OF BRUSSELS ARE VERY DIVERSE.
IN BRUSSELS THERE IS ALSO A DUTCH LANGUAGE
HOSPITAL, THE ACADEMISCH ZIEKENHUIS, OF THE FREE
UNIVERSITY OF BRUSSELS (VUB). IT HAS 700 BEDS.<
06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:43 Pagina 17
Parisians have to make do with a square metre and a half
of green space per person, which is hardly more than the
size of a bath towel. Every inhabitant of Brussels has 30
square metres of green space: it’s enough to kick a ball
about.
Throughout Brussels there are district parks where the res-
idents and children of the district go to have fun, practise
sports, and relax. Every park has its own atmosphere and
character and some parks attract enthusiasts from far out-
side the district, For example, the magnificent Jubelpark
with its grand avenues, triumphal arch and museums is
often used as a background for large events. There is a very
different romantic atmosphere in the Josaphatpark in
Schaarbeek, where you can enjoy not only nature, but also
sculpture and summer concerts in the park.
The Zoniënwoud in the southwest of the city is entirely
different again: it covers 5,000 hectares and takes up 10%
of the surface of the Brussels Capital Region. The wood is
accessible from a number of different municipalities and
there are paths, cycle routes and bridle paths, playing
areas and picnic places.
No excuse not to practise sportsYou cannot really call Brussels a cycling city, although many
inhabitants have discovered the advantages of a bicycle in
a large city. Things are happening: for example, the cars in
the Wetstraat – one of the busiest streets in the country
with 60,000 cars per day – had to surrender one lane for
cyclists and pedestrians. In addition, work is being carried
out on five cycling routes crossing the entire region.
Brussels has innumerable sports clubs. Whether you want
to go deep sea diving, or play baseball, whether your pas-
sion is taekwondo or athletics, everything is possible in
clubs in Brussels. There is certainly no excuse not to prac-
tise any sports. Anyone who is not entirely convinced
should participate in Stadskriebels, an annual sporting
event which is organised by the sports department of the
Flemish Community Commission and BLOSO. The Oude
and Nieuwe Graanmarkt are closed to traffic and different
sports and clubs are presented there. Every year, thou-
sands of walkers do a 20 km walk through Brussels, from
real professionals to real amateurs. People who prefer
merely to observe also have many sports events to go to in
Brussels, such as the athletics meeting Memorial Van
Damme and the cycling race Paris-Brussels/Grote Prijs
Eddy Merckx.
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Why an iris?
The Brussels Capital Region has chosen theiris as a symbol for Brussels, and theFlemish Community Commission has alsoincorporated the iris in its coat of arms,together with the Flemish lion. This is
related to the history of the city development. The iris isa typical marsh flower. Brussels also developed from amarsh: in the tenth century, the city was founded in themarshy valley of the Zenne. The name Brussels is basedon Bruocsella which literally means “settlement in themarsh.”
06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:43 Pagina 18
| |19
||
Housing
Living in Brussels (Wonen in Brussel), Muntplein 6a, 1000 Brussels,
T 0800 20 400, wonen.in.brussel@vgc.be, www.woneninbrussel.be
Flemish Community Commission (Vlaamse Gemeenschapscom-
missie)
You can find lots of information about various aspects of life in
Brussels on the website of the Flemish Community Commission,
www.digitaalbrussel.be
Brussels Capital Region (Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest), 02 204 21 11
The info line of the ministry of the Brussels Capital Region answers
questions about town planning, the environment, public works, etc.
You can also find a lot of information on the Region’s website:
www.brussel.irisnet.be.
Work and training
Tracé, local jobcentre, Philippe de Champagnestraat 8, 1000 Brussels,
T 02 289 00 90, trace@trace.be, http://trace.vgc.be/
Brussels Reception Agency for Newcomers (Onthaalbureau voor
Nieuwkomers), Philippe de Champagnestraat 23, 1000 Brussels,
T 02 501 66 80, info@bonvzw.be
Overleg Opleidings- en Tewerkstellingsprojecten Brussel (OOTB),
Delaunoystraat 58, p/a De Bottelarij – 3e verdieping, 1080 Sint-Jans-
Molenbeek, T 02 511 99 72, ootb@ootb.be, www.ootb.be
VIZO, support centre for Flemish entrepreneurs, Kanselarijstraat 19,
1000 Brussels, T 02 227 63 93, info@vizo.be, www.vizo.be
Foyer, Flemish integration centre, Werkhuizenstraat 25, 1080 Sint-
Jans-Molenbeek, T 02 411 74 95, foyer@foyer.be, www.foyer.be
Dutch
Dutch-language House (Huis van het Nederlands),
Philippe de Champagnestraat 23, 1000 Brussel, T 02 501 66 60,
info@huisnederlandsbrussel.be, www.huisnederlandsbrussel.be
deBuren, Vlaams-Nederlands Huis, Leopoldstraat 6, 1000 Brussel,
T 02 212 19 33, www.vl-nl.be, info@vl-nl.be
Bru-TAAL, Dutch Centre, Philippe De Champagnestraat 23,
1000 Brussel, T 02 501 66 90, info@bru-TAAL.be, www.bru-TAAL.be
Welfare and health
Childcare
Flemish Community Commission, Child and Family (Kind en Gezin),
Lombardstraat 41, 1000 Brussels, T 02 548 05 93
Child and Family (Kind en Gezin), Vlaams-Brabant and Brussels depart-
ment, Karel van Lotharingenstraat 4, 3000 Leuven, T 016 21 05 11
Brussels Welfare and Health Council (Brusselse Welzijns- en
Gezondheidsraad), publisher of the Brussels Zakboekje,
Leopold II-laan 204 bus 1, 1080 Sint-Jans-Molenbeek, T 02 414 15 85
Brussels Zakboekje online: www.users.skynet.be/bwr
Academic Hospital of the Free University of Brussels (Academisch
Ziekenhuis van de Vrije Universiteit Brussel), Laarbeeklaan 101,
1090 Brussels, T 02 477 41 11, www.az.vub.ac.be
Pro Medicis Brussel, promotes work experience and placements in
the medical sector in Brussels, info@promedicisbrussel.be,
www.promedicisbrussel.be
Specific services
Seniors Citizens Centre (Seniorencentrum), Care for the elderly,
Leopoldstraat 25, 1000 Brussels, T 02 210 04 60,
info@seniorencentrum-brussel.be, www.seniorencentrum-brussel.be
Holebi’s (People with a different sexual orientation)
Regenbooghuis, Kolenmarkt 42, 1000 Brussels, T 02 503 59 90 (tues-
day 18-22 uur), info@rainbowhouse.be, www.rainbowhouse.be
Sport
On the website of the Sports department of the Flemish Community
Commission, http://sportdienst.vgc.be/ you will find a databank of
Brussels sports clubs.
Green spaces
Brussels Institute of Environmental Management (Brussels Instituut
voor Milieubeheer), Sint-Gorikshallen, Sint-Goriksplein 1,
1000 Brussels, T 02 775 75 75, info@ibgebim.be, www.ibgebim.be
Zoniënwoud, www.zonienwoud.be
Cycling
Pro Velo, association of and for cyclists, Londenstraat 15,
1050 Brussels, T 02 502 73 55, info@provelo.org, www.provelo.org
Cycle routes, www.fiets.irisnet.be
We are doing everything we can to keep the contact addresses
in this brochure up to date. However, if you think that a contact
address is out of date please let us know. In that case we will
change it in the next edition:
Ministry of the Flemish Community, Administrative Coordination
Brussels Unit, Boudewijnlaan 30, 1000 Brussels, T 02 553 56 28,
brussel@vlaanderen.be, www.vlaanderen.be/ brussel
AddressesWORKING, LIVING AND WELFARE
06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:43 Pagina 19
There are about 125,000 children under the age of ten liv-
ing in Brussels and this number continues to increase year
after year. More than one fifth of the people living in
Brussels are under the age of 18. Obviously all these chil-
dren and young people have to go to school.
Developing an extensive and high quality network of
schools is one of the major concerns of the Flemish people
| |20
||
Being young in Brussels
Growing up with a wider viewof the worldDutch education is one of the hobby horses of the Dutch-language community in Brussels.
Furthermore, there are more things to do for children and young people after school than anywhere
else. Students in Brussels have access to the broadest range of facilities and courses, as well as enter-
tainment. For anyone who does not want to miss anything, all they have to do is go out and take a look.
Being young in Brussels
06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:43 Pagina 20
in Brussels. After all, they considered that it was very
important that their children could be taught in the Dutch
language in their own district. Of course Dutch education
also devotes attention to other languages. The second lan-
guage in Brussels is extremely impor-
tant, even more so than in other
places in Belgium. In Dutch-language
primary schools in Brussels, children
are therefore taught French at an ear-
lier age than in Flemish schools, i.e., from the third year.
They also have more hours of French lessons, up to five
hours in the fifth or sixth year.
What do you want to be?The Dutch language network of schools has now been
firmly established. Anyone who lives in Brussels can find a
nursery or primary school within walking distance from
home. With more than thirty secondary schools and eighty
study disciplines at universities, you can become almost
anything in Brussels. Furthermore, the Dutch-language
schools are easily accessible by public transport, also for
students who come from outside Brussels.
Year after year, Dutch-lan-
guage education in Brussels
has been increasingly
successful. In other
places in Belgium, the numbers of pupils are falling, but in
Brussels they continue to increase, particularly in nursery
and primary schools. More and more French-speaking
parents and parents who speak other languages send their
children to a Dutch language school. They do so because
they consider that being bilingual or multilingual is very
important for the future of their children. Teachers ensure
that all the children in the Brussels Dutch-language edu-
cation are given the best possible learning opportunities.
| |21
||
BEING
YOUNG
IN
BRUSSELS
The logo of Dutch-languageeducation has become
a quality label.
06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:43 Pagina 21
Furthermore the classes are often smaller, and the infra-
structure is more modern. The blue-green logo with the N,
which applies for all Dutch-language schools in Brussels,
has developed to become a quality label.
Teaching in BrusselsIn Dutch language education in Brussels, children are in
multilingual and multicultural classes from an early age,
with children from every social class. This is an enriching
experience and at the same time a chal-
lenge, particularly for the teachers. To
provide better support, the Flemish
Community Commission and the
Flemish Community developed all sorts
of initiatives. For example, the majority of primary schools
make use of the provisions of the Brussels Priority policy
and Taalvaart: they increase the language skills of the
pupils step by step, with expert supervision and using
appropriate teaching methods. In addition, the teachers
learn to relate better to the different customs and cultures,
which means that the contacts with parents improve. After
all, the cooperation with parents is absolutely essential,
even more than in other places: in order to really master
the Dutch language, children also have to come into con-
tact with Dutch outside the school, through books, TV pro-
grammes, etc. The teachers can also go to an in-service
training centre, which focuses its programme specifically
on the situation in Brussels.
Moreover, the Dutch-language education network is
broader than the schools alone. There are also schools for
special education, boarding schools,
centres for pupil supervision, etc.
Anyone who wishes to perfect their artis-
tic talents after school can go to part-
time art education for music, literature and dance. Adults
can go to the centres for adult education to learn extra
skills for their jobs or for themselves. There is also an
extensive provision of training courses, for example, in the
22 community centres.
Outside the schoolgatesAfter school, children and young people in Brussels can
also enjoy the enormous range of free time activities. For
| |22
||
Are museums boring?Not in Brussels.
06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:43 Pagina 22
anyone who likes theatre, Bronks , which is being given
its own theatre on the Varkensmarkt, is a must. Since the
early 1990s, Bronks has put on interesting productions for
children and young people. In addition, Bronks attracts
interesting productions by other Dutch-language compa-
nies to Brussels. Anyone who prefers to go on stage them-
selves can try out a theatre workshop. Another interesting
possibility is the Pantalone arts centre on the
Martelaarsplein. Children can also experiment using
sound and there are productions, concerts and workshops
in the Muziekhuis of Pantalone.
Anyone who thinks museums are boring places will have
to change their mind in Brussels. For example, in the
Scientastic Museum , you can experiment with the laws
of physics and chemistry. Would you like to play Fakir?
Make a rainbow? It’s all possible. The Museum of Musical
Instruments , the Toy Museum and obviously the
Stripmuseum , are also recommended, but the large
museums also regularly organise activities for young
people. In Elsene there is even a Children’s museum , which
is entirely devoted to the lives of young people. Anyone
who is more interested in film and the media could go and
take a look in the Fabriek in Schaarbeek. Art Basics for
Children (ABC) has a Medialab where you can experi-
ment with images, sound, and even with architecture. In
the sports clubs, libraries and community centres there
are also interesting initiatives for children and young
people on a regular basis.
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BEING
YOUNG
IN
BRUSSELS
Laura, Mohamed, Imane andAlexandre together in a class
At the beginning of 2004, there were more than 34,000children in the Dutch-language schools. At least four inten secondary pupils come from a family in which onlyDutch is spoken. This is different for nursery school chil-dren and primary school children: on average 16%, oreven fewer, are from a purely Dutch-speaking family.One in three children only speak French at home and forone in three, family life takes place in another languagealtogether.
< MULTILINGUAL AND MULTICULTURAL CLASSES :AN ENRICHING EXPERIENCE AND AT THE SAME TIME A
CHALLENGE.
06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:43 Pagina 23
Slightly older children will undoubtedly enjoy the many
youth centres and youth clubs active in Brussels. In fact,
they can be regularly heard on FM Brussel. The organi-
sation Youth and City (Jeugd en Stad) also uses Brussels
as its area of operations, with training courses and street-
corner workshops and all sorts of projects such as the
Rock Factory: workshops, rehearsal
spaces, etc., for young musicians. Did
you know that Brussels is the cartoon
capital of Belgium, and that Youth and
City has organised a youth hotel, De
Waterman ? This is just as well because there are so
many things to do that it will take more than one day to
do them all.
Largest student city in the countryWith approximately 70,000 students at universities and
institutes of higher education, Brussels has the largest
student population in Belgium. However, in a large city
such as Brussels, students have a less obvious presence
than in Leuven or Ghent. Still, Brussels is certainly a stu-
dent city with an almost infinite range of courses.
You can also follow higher education in the Dutch lan-
guage in Brussels: there are four Dutch-language insti-
tutes of higher education and two universities. In Brussels,
almost 23,000 students are at a Dutch-language institute.
The Royal Military School is an exception: there the
courses are taught in both the languages of the country.
Obviously a student wants to do more
than just study, and Brussels is the right
place to be. Nowhere else will you find as
many cultural centres, libraries and museums in such a
compact area. And this is even without the almost infinite
number of possibilities for going out. There are cafés, cin-
emas, clubs and restaurants for everyone’s taste and style.
You can enjoy the campus atmosphere of typical student
cafés, but you will also come across hot spots where you
can count the number of students on one hand.
Afraid of the large city?Because the large city frightens some Flemish students -
and probably their parents even more, there are many ini-
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There are more thanten youth centres
operating in Brussels.
06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:44 Pagina 24
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Four institutes of higher education and two universities pro-
vide higher education in the Dutch language in Brussels. Here
are just a few of the courses you can follow there:
European Institute of Higher Education, Brussels (EHSAL) :
economics and management, health care, social work, teacher
training, etc.
Erasmus Institute of Higher Education, Brussels : communi-
cation, health care, ecology, hotel and tourism, industrial sci-
ences, conservatory, teacher training, audio-visual and dra-
matic arts, social work, applied linguistics, etc.
Institute of Higher Education Sint-Lukas, Brussels : con-
struction, interior design, audio-visual arts, visual arts, trans-
media, teacher training, etc.
Institute of Higher Education for Science and Art : visual
arts, management, industrial sciences, music and dramatic
arts, technology, architecture, applied linguistics, commercial
sciences, etc.
Catholic University of Brussels : law, history, philosophy,
language and literature, applied economics, commercial engi-
neering, communication sciences, political and social science,
etc.
Free University of Brussels : philosophy, language and liter-
ature, history, archaeology, law, notarial studies, criminology,
economics, political and social sciences, psychology, physical
education, sciences, applied sciences, medicine, pharmacy,
etc.
Studying in Brussels: excellent choice
BEING
YOUNG
IN
BRUSSELS
QUARTIER LATIN INTRODUCED A QUALITY LABEL
FOR STUDENT ACCOMMODATION WITH CONDITIONS
RELATED TO SAFETY, HYGIENE, COMFORT AND
PRICE.
06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:44 Pagina 25
tiatives where future students go to be introduced to
Brussels. For example, a Students’ Day takes place in
Brussels every year in October, a day for students to be
introduced to Brussels, but at the same time an event not
to be missed by students. In addition, the various insti-
tutes of higher education and universities all organise
their own information days.
One of the driving forces behind student life in Brussels is
the organisation Quartier Latin , a joint initiative by all the
Dutch language institutes of higher education and univer-
sities. Quartier Latin would like to improve the image of
Brussels as a student city, and is particularly active in rela-
tion to housing. Until recently, Brussels did not have one
specific student area, although traditionally many stu-
dents could be found in the area of the Royal Sint-Maria
Church in Schaarbeek and also in Elsene near the VUB.
However, things have changed as a result of the efforts
made by Quartier Latin.
Quartier Latin considers Brussels to be the student city for
the 21st century, and this student city needs a real student
area in the centre. For this purpose, Quartier Latin has sin-
gled out the district between the stock exchange and the
canal. However, it should be clear that this must not
become a student ghetto but a mixed area where it is also
pleasant for non-students to go.
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Quality student accommodationat Quartier Latin
Quartier Latin introduced a quality label for studentaccommodation with conditions related to safety,hygiene, comfort and price. The organisation also buyspremises itself to rent out as student accommodation,and concludes agreements with landlords. The QuartierLatin database contains thousands of student rooms,hundreds of which have a quality label.
The international student house which is being built inthe Bischoffsheimlaan is another initiative of QuartierLatin. Belgian and foreign students staying in Brusselsfor a short period for work placements, can find accom-modation there. Furthermore, Quartier Latin also rentsout rooms to recent graduates when they are startingwork in Brussels in a shortage sector such as educationor health care.
Are you looking for student accommodation in Brussels?Please search the online student housing database ofQuartier Latin, at www.qlb.be.
06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:45 Pagina 26
| |27
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General education
Flemish Community Commission (Vlaamse Gemeenschapscommissie)
Information about the Brussels Dutch-language educational provi-
sions, from nursery to adult education: www.schoolkeuze.be,
http://bop.vgc.be or www.digitaalbrussel.be
Guide to Dutch-language education (Gids voor het Nederlandstalig
onderwijs), a detailed summary of all the Dutch-language schools in
Brussels, also for part-time art education and education for social
promotion (evening classes for adults), can be applied for at the
Education Department of the Flemish Community Commission,
T 02 482 05 16.
Vlaamse Infolijn, 0800 3 02 01
Prospective teachers in Brussels can go to the Flemish Information
line for information.
Also try surfing to the website www.leerkrachtinbrussel.be.
Brussels OnderwijsPunt (Brussels Education Point), http://bop.vgc.be
Teachers can go to the Brussels Education Point (BOP) of the Flemish
Community Commission for a broad range of information and educa-
tional resources.
Students
Universities
Free University of Brussels (VUB), Communication Department,
Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Elsene, T 02 629 21 34, www.vub.ac.be
Catholic University of Brussels (KUB), Vrijheidslaan 17,
1081 Koekelberg, T 02 412 42 11, www.kubrussel.ac.be
Institutes of Higher Education
European Institute of Higher Education, Brussels (Europese
Hogeschool Brussel) (EHSAL), Stormstraat 2, 1000 Brussels,
T 02 210 13 12, www.ehsal.be
Erasmus Institute of Higher Education, Brussels
(Erasmushogeschool Brussel), Nijverheidskaai 170, 1070 Brussels,
T 02 523 37 37, www.ehb.be
Institute of Higher Education Sint-Lukas, Brussels (Hogeschool
Sint-Lukas Brussel), Paleizenstraat 70, 1030 Brussels,
T 02 250 11 00, www.sintlukas.be
Institute of Higher Education for Science and Art (Hogeschool voor
Wetenschap en Kunst), Koningsstraat 328, 1030 Brussels,
T 02 250 15 11, www.wenk.be
Royal Military School (Koninklijke Militaire School),
Renaissancelaan 30, 1000 Brussels, T 02 737 62 11, www.rma.ac.be
Quartier Latin - Students in Brussels, Anderlechtsesteenweg 172,
1000 Brussels, T 02 513 71 74, www.qlb.be
Young people and free time
Bronks, Youth theatre, Brialmontstraat 11, 1210 Brussels,
T 02 219 99 21, info@bronks.be, www.bronks.be
Pantalone, Martelaarsplein 13, 1000 Brussels, T 02 223 00 84,
info@pantalone.be, www.pantalone.be
Children’s museum, Burgemeesterstraat 15, 1050 Elsene,
T 02 640 01 07, childrenmuseum.brussels@skynet.be,
www.kindermuseum.be
Scientastic Museum, Metro Beurs, niveau -1, 1000 Brussels,
T 02 732 13 36, www.scientastic.be
Musical Instruments Museum,, Museum for Art and History,
Hofberg 2, 1000 Brussels, T 02 545 01 30, www.mim.fgov.be
Toy Museum, Verenigingstraat 24, 1000 Brussels, T 02 219 61 68,
www.cyber.be/museedujouet
Stripmuseum (Belgian Centre of the Cartoon - Belgisch Centrum van
het Beeldverhaal), Zandstraat 20, 1000 Brussels, T 02 219 19 80,
visit@stripmuseum.be, www.stripmuseum.be
Other museums
You can find information about the other museums on
www.brusselsmuseums.be.
Art Basics for Children (ABC), Medialab in De Fabriek,
Jollystraat 125, 1030 Brussels, T 02 502 00 27, mail@abc-web.be,
www.abc-web.be
Youth and City (Jeugd en Stad), Werkhuizenstraat 3/5, 1080 Brussels,
T 02 411 68 83, Jeugdenstad@jes.be, www.jeugdenstad.be
Youth accommodation centre de Waterman, T 02 411 68 83,
waterman@jes.be, www.jeugdenstad.be
Youth centres in Brussels, http://jeugdhuizen.vgc.be
We are doing everything we can to keep the contact addresses
in this brochure up to date. However, if you think that a contact
address is out of date please let us know, in that case we will
change it in the next edition:
Ministry of the Flemish Community, Administrative Coordination
Brussels Unit, Boudewijnlaan 30, 1000 Brussels, T 02 553 56 28,
brussel@vlaanderen.be, www.vlaanderen.be/brussel
AddressesBEING
YOUNG
IN
BRUSSELS
06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:45 Pagina 27
06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:45 Pagina 28
Capital of FlandersCapital of Flanders
Today Brussels is an international and multicultural city
where French is the main language. Nevertheless,
Brussels was originally a Dutch-speaking city, and today it
is also the capital of Flanders. On a map of Belgium, it is
striking to see that Brussels is like an island in Dutch-
speaking Flanders. The Brussels dialect and names of the
Brussels municipalities – Schaarbeek, Anderlecht,
Watermaal-Bosvoorde, Oudergem – also clearly reveal the
Flemish character of the city.
From the establishment of Brussels in the 10th century up
the end of the 18th century it was a predominately Dutch-
speaking city. Obviously, French was spoken at the court,
but the same thing applied for St. Petersburg and The
Hague. It was only in the 19th century after the indepen-
dence of Belgium that language relations really changed.
The new kingdom had a government that was strictly cen-
tralised in Brussels, and in 1830 chose French as the offi-
cial language. French started to dominate public life and
became the language of law, the administration, the army,
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Two communitiesin one regionBrussels is the capital of Flanders, but at the same time, French has the upper hand in the streets. If you want
to understand the reality of Brussels you have to go back a few centuries in time. The complex way in which
Brussels is governed also has its roots in history.
Up to the 18th century, Brussels wasa predominately Dutch-speaking city
CAPITAL OF FLANDERS
06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:45 Pagina 29
culture, and the media. As the language of the political
and economic elite, French developed to become a status
symbol. In 1860, approximately 95% of the people in
Flanders spoke Dutch but these people had hardly any
political or economic power. They were governed, educat-
ed and tried in court in a language which most people did
not understand.
19th century: French to achieve progressBelgium was governed from the centrally situated capital
of Brussels. The court, the government and the parliament
were all located there. Gradually a financial and economic
elite also developed around this political centre. Brussels
gained a French-speaking upper and middle class incredi-
bly quickly. It was virtually only possible to receive primary
and secondary education in French, so that French gradu-
ally also permeated the lower social classes.
In the same period, Brussels also attracted large numbers
of newcomers, the majority of whom came from Flanders.
Flanders had been one of the richest regions of Europe for
centuries, but in the 19th century there was a period of
economic decline and hunger. These newcomers also
One city, two languages
Since the 1960s, Belgium has definitively been dividedup into four language areas: the Dutch, French andGerman language areas and the bilingual French-Dutcharea of the Brussels Capital Region. This division is basedon the principle of territoriality. In accordance with thisprinciple the language of the region must be used as theofficial language for certain matters.
In the Brussels Capital Region, which comprises thenineteen Brussels municipalities, there are two officiallanguages, Dutch and French which have equal status.This means, amongst other things that you can useeither French or Dutch in all the Brussels public institu-tions – including the OCMW and IRIS hospitals, theemergency services, and the fire brigade. If you speakDutch in a post office, or in the town hall, the personhelping you at the counter must also speak to you inDutch. Although this right is guaranteed by law, it is notalways respected in practice.
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06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:45 Pagina 30
became more French: anyone who spoke only Dutch had
no chance at all of advancing. Flemish parents made sure
that their children spoke perfect French. If they were able
to afford it, they sent their children to French language
schools. The result was that their children became bilin-
gual but their grandchildren often spoke only French. This
spread of the French language also took place outside the
historical centre: surrounding municipalities such as
Elsene, Schaarbeek, Molenbeek and Anderlecht gradually
became more and more French.
Movement in FlandersAt the end of the 19th century a broad Flemish emancipa-
tion movement got under way. This insisted for the first
time that Dutch should be considered on an equal par with
French and that both languages should become the official
languages of government throughout Belgium. This was
inconceivable for the French speakers. Wallonia was only
French speaking and the Walloons wanted it to stay that
way. The Flemish people then adjusted their demands:
Flanders should also become monolingual. This demand
was met in the early 1960s.
However, meanwhile Brussels had continued to become
more and more French. In the 1950s Brussels had already
expanded to nineteen – formerly Flemish – municipalities.
The Flemish realised that measures were needed to pre-
vent even more Flemish municipalities from becoming
French. Furthermore, they wished to prevent Brussels the
capital of a bilingual country, from becoming monolingual-
ly French. The first step was to limit Brussels to the nine-
teen municipalities. Brussels was then given a bilingual
status and the Flemish people had to be properly repre-
sented in government and administration. Many of these
demands were achieved in 1963 when the Belgian parlia-
ment approved the language legislation.
New stimuli for DutchDuring the course of all these years, there were obviously
still many Dutch-speaking people living in the Brussels
municipalities. They saw the city becoming more French
and developed a network of Dutch language institutions
and initiatives. This meant that the Flemish people in
Brussels could experience their own culture and be taught,
cared for and assisted in their own language.
| |31
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Become more aware oflanguage laws
Because the language legislation is relativelycomplicated, particularly in Brussels, theGovernment of Flanders has established theLanguage Legislation Support Centre (Steun-punt Taalwetwijzer) . You can go there withquestions and complaints and you can order abrochure which can clarify these matters.
CAPITAL OF FLANDERS
06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:45 Pagina 31
As Flanders became increasingly independent
culturally and politically, the Government of Flanders
started to actively support this Flemish network in
Brussels. It became larger and was institutionalised,
and expanded to become today’s close-knit and open
network. Since Flanders has developed to become a
prosperous region itself, the Dutch language has also
received a new stimulus in Brussels. For anyone
applying for a job in Brussels today, a knowledge of
Dutch is an advantage, and more and more people
who speak other languages have shown an interest in
learning Dutch.
Belgium: regions and communitiesIn order to understand how Brussels is governed
today, it is necessary to look at the history of
Belgium. Up to 1970, Belgium was a single state with
one parliament and one government. From 1970 the
Belgian state was gradually transformed into a feder-
al state consisting of a number of federated states. In
a federal state the citizens are governed at the same
time by the federal government and by the govern-
ment of their federated state. These governments
have equal status and have their own competences.
For example, the federal state is competent for justice
in all the federated states, but is not competent for
the media. In Flanders it is the Government of
Flanders which decides which television companies
can use the cable. This seems a simple principle, but
in practice it is more complicated. In fact, Belgium
has two sorts of federated states which partly overlap
in terms of territory: communities and regions.
> Belgium is a federal state which consists ofthree communities and three regions.
Belgium has three communities: the Flemish
Community, the French Community and the German
language Community. These communities are, in the
first place, competent in their own language area.
However, the Flemish and French Communities also
have competences in the bilingual Brussels Capital
Region, because Brussels does not form a separate
fourth community. Therefore you could say that the
Flemish people in Brussels form part of the Flemish
Community while the French-speaking population of
Brussels is part of the French Community. In this
06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:45 Pagina 32
sense a community is a population group which speaks
the same language. The communities are competent for
language, culture, education and welfare and health care.
> The Flemish Community: all the inhabitants of theDutch language area and the Flemish inhabitants ofBrussels.
> The French Community: all the inhabitants of theFrench language area and the French-speakinginhabitants of Brussels.
> The German language Community: all the inhabi-tants of the German language area.
Belgium also has three regions. The regions exercise their
competences in a well-defined territorial area. The territo-
ry of the Flemish Region corresponds with the Dutch lan-
guage area. The Brussels Capital Region comprises the
bilingual area of the Brussels Capital – the nineteen munici-
palities of Brussels. The territory of the Walloon Region
corresponds to the territory of the French and German lan-
guage areas. The Regions are competent for matters such
as the economy, employment, agriculture, roads, town and
country planning and the environment.
> The Flemish Region: the region which cor-responds to the Dutch language area.
> The Brussels Capital Region: the bilingual area ofthe Brussels Capital, i.e., the area which cor-responds with the nineteen municipalities ofBrussels.
> The Walloon Region: the area which correspondswith the French and German language areas
Every region and every community has its own govern-
ment and its own parliament. In 1980 Flanders decided
to combine the governments of the Flemish Community
and the Flemish Region. This means there is only one
Flemish Parliament and one Flemish Government.
Brussels, one region, two communitiesA special arrangement was worked out for Brussels in the
1980s. After all, there are Dutch-speaking as well as
French-speaking inhabitants of Brussels, and moreover,
the capital of Belgium could not simply be classified under
Flanders or Wallonia. Since 1989, the nineteen munici-
palities of Brussels have jointly formed a separate region: the
Brussels Capital Region. At the same time, both the French
Community and the Flemish Community have compe-
tences in Brussels.
Institutionally the Brussels Capital Region is different from
the Flemish and Walloon Regions. Furthermore, the nature
of the legal norms which the Brussels Parliament can issue
is slightly different from those of the Flemish and Walloon
Parliament. The Brussels Parliament exercises its compe-
tences through ordinances, while the Flemish Parliament
and its Walloon counterpart issue decrees. Although both
the ordinances and the decrees have force of law, stronger
legal control is possible on the ordinances and they can
Brussels, capital of Flanders
When Flanders became a federated state of Belgium, itchose Brussels to be its capital city. In order to emphasisethe close links between Flanders and Brussels, the centralFlemish institutions were accommodated in Brussels. TheFlemish Parliament meets there in its own parliamentbuilding. The seat of the Government of Flanders is situat-ed on the Martelaarsplein, and a large part of the Flemishadministration is situated in the centre of Brussels.
CAPITAL OF FLANDERS
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06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:45 Pagina 33
only be overturned by the federal parliament in exception-
al cases.
The Brussels Capital Region is the most important policy
level in Brussels. It is competent for so-called territorial
matters such as traffic, the environment, urban develop-
ment, public works, housing, the economy and infrastruc-
ture. The Brussels Capital Region has its own parliament,
its own government and its own administration. The
Brussels Parliament is the parliament of the Brussels
Capital Region. It consists of 89 directly elected members.
Of these, 17 seats are reserved for the Dutch language
group. The Brussels Capital Region has five ministers: two
are French-speaking, two are Dutch-speaking, and one is
the minister-president.
> The nineteen municipalities of Brussels togetherconstitute the Brussels Capital Region. It is compe-tent for territorial matters.
The Flemish and French Communities also have compe-
tence in Brussels for subjects related to personal and cul-
tural matters, such as welfare, education and cultural
affairs. After all, the Flemish inhabitants of Brussels are
part of the Flemish Community , while the French inhabi-
tants of Brussels are part of the French Community.
Therefore both Communities can take direct decisions in
Brussels. For example, if the Flemish Parliament approves
a decree related to education, that decree also applies for
the Dutch language schools in Brussels.
> The Flemish Community and the French Communityare competent in Brussels for subjects related topersonal and cultural matters.
Sometimes the Communities do not act directly, but
through their Community Commissions in Brussels: the
Flemish Community Commission (VGC) and the French
Community Commission (Cocof ). The VGC and Cocof are
like the tentacles of the two Communities in Brussels. The
Joint Community Commission (GGC), in which both lan-
guage groups are represented, was established in order to
regulate matters which are not exclusively the competence
of one Community or the other, such as, for example, the
OCMWs (public welfare centres).
| |34
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Flemish Community in Brussels
The Flemish Community does not always act directly inBrussels: sometimes it does so through the local admin-istrative levels of the provinces or municipalities. InBrussels this local administrative level is carried out bythe Flemish Community Commission (VGC). The VGCsupports the Dutch language provisions in Brussels inthe fields of culture, education and welfare, and healthcare. In addition, the VGC helps to ensure that theFlemish decrees are implemented in Brussels.
The VGC also has a board and a committee: there areseventeen Dutch-speaking members of parliament ofthe Brussels Parliament on the board of the VGC. Thereare Dutch-speaking Brussels ministers and a secretary ofstate in the committee.
06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:45 Pagina 34
AddressesFlemish Community Commission
The Flemish Community Commission plays a pivotal role in Flemish
community life in Brussels. You can go there for information about
Dutch language education, child care, culture, sport, youth organisa-
tions, etc.
Flemish Community Commission, Sainctelettesquare 17,
1000 Brussels, T 02 548 05 80, www.digitaalbrussel.be
and www.vgc.be
Flemish Infoline 0800 3 02 01
You can call the information number of the Government of Flanders
with all your questions for the Government of Flanders. You will also
find all the information about current campaigns and new initiatives
there, and you can surf to www.vlaanderen.be
Administrative Coordination Brussels Unit and
Language Legislation Support Centre (Steunpunt Taalwetwijzer)
In the Ministry of the Flemish Community the Administrative
Coordination Brussels Unit is responsible for a number of administra-
tive aspects of the Brussels policy, but is also responsible for
strengthening the link between Flanders and Brussels, strengthening
the Flemish presence in Brussels, providing information on the lan-
guage legislation, etc.
• You can order extra copies of this brochure from this department.
It is also available in Dutch, French and German.
• You can also go there for the language legislation support centre
with a brochure of the same name.
Ministry of the Flemish Community, Administrative Coordination
Brussels Unit, Boudewijnlaan 30, 1000 Brussels, T 02 553 56 28,
brussel@vlaanderen.be, www.vlaanderen.be/brussel,
taalwetwijzer@vlaanderen.be, www.taalwetwijzer.be
We are doing everything we can to keep the contact addresses
in this brochure up to date. However, if you think that a contact
address is out of date please let us know. In that case we will
change it in the next edition:
Ministry of the Flemish Community, Administrative Coordination
Brussels Unit, Boudewijnlaan 30, 1000 Brussels, T 02 553 56 28,
brussel@vlaanderen.be, www.vlaanderen.be/brussel
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CAPITAL OF FLANDERS
06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:45 Pagina 35
Brussels Welcome and Promotion
Archives and Museum of Flemish
Life in Brussels
Capital Public Library
Ancienne Belgique
Beursschouwburg
Kaaitheater
Royal Flemish Theater
Dutch-language House
deBuren (Vlaams-Nederlands huis)
Passa Porta
Senior Citizens Centre
Flemish Parliament
Flemish Government (Martelaarsplein)
Headquarters of the Flemish
Administration
Headquarters of the VGC Council
(Lombardstraat)
Headquarters of the VGC
Administration (Sainctelettesquare)
1 10
11
12
13
14
15
16
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
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06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:46 Pagina 37
COLOPHON
Responsible Publisher: Armand De Troyer
(Administratie Kanselarij en Voorlichting)
Editor and lay-out: Jansen & Janssen Uitgeverij, www.jaja.be
Advice on content : Ann Steenwinckel and Gunter Bousset
Translation: BD Consult
Photos: Kristien Buyse
page 6 left: Zinneke Parade 2004, ©Bertrand Ginet
page 7: Couleur Café, ©Nathalie Nizette
page 7 below: ©Alain Dereymaeker
Printer: Sintjoris
Registration number: D/2004/3241/357
You want more information about this brochure?Ministry of the Flemish Community,Administrative Coordination Brussels Unit,T 02 553 56 28,brussel@vlaanderen.be
06 050860 BRUSSEL Eng 04-04-2005 15:46 Pagina 38
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