Tricolore fun

Brussels celebrating the national holiday yesterday on July 21

July 21

Happy holiday!

Brusselicious (part 3 -end)

This plaque at the bottom of the sculpture pole shows the title "Melting Pot" and says that 19 faces of people represent the cultural life of Brussels: "Facial expressions of pleasure engender a sense of shared indulgence".

Enjoying mussels is one of the things to do when visiting Belgium.  Many restaurants in Brussels, especially those located around the Grand Place, have them on the menu. 
I agree that Belgium can not claim sole propriety to mussels and fact is that the origin of the served mussels often is to be found in France or the Netherlands. Nevertheless,  Belgians consider moules frites, or mussels with fries as a national dish which is of course the reason why I show them to conclude my little series on Brussselicious.
http://culinarytravel.about.com//od/internationaltravel/tp/BelgianFoodieGuide.htm
http://www.foodwise.be/2012/05/mussels-with-belgian-fries-for-food.html

Brusselicious (part 2 ....French fries - of course)

The plaque at the bottom of the sculpture reads:

"Alexander-Igor Everard De Harzir, ex advertisig man, antique dealer and now ex-designer/scribbler...

                                                                           CONCEPT

The fried potato and its cone, symbol of our Brussels gastronomic culture, with every kind of sauce... Here a cone, there a corset? Whatever... let's give way to temptation!

Shiny black vinyl coated cone, fries painted in Shocking Pink and varnished, pink laces made of fabric and chrome-plated eyelets"

Photograph: http://www.facebook.com/brusselicious.bxxl
with the Palace of Justice in the background

Brusselicious (part 1 is about waffles)

When I noticed these 'things' first, it was not quite clear to me what was going on... all over Brussels sculptures are on display showing a number of typical products. I found them in different locations.  As starters, I show you waffles - some even in the national colors ;)  - ... maybe fries or mussels tomorrow?

Roa bis

A couple of months ago I discovered Roa in Australia through Perth Daily photo blog  - http://whatisbelgium.blogspot.be/2012/04/roa.html- 
I was determined to find Roa in Belgium. I went hunting around Brussels and found these drawing in an abandoned school near the Botanique. I am convinced  Roa was at work here. 

Carl De Keyzer, Moments before the flood, Ostend

 
The exhibition "Moments Before the Flood" shows work of Belgian Magnum photographer Carl De Keyzer and is well worth a visit for more than one reason. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The site, a shipbuilding wharf on the outskirts of Ostend, is a great spot and an absolutely fabulous setting for the subject. The exhibition comes with an impressive book by publisher Lannoo. In a short documentary named OdysSea, Mei Vandenberghe and Jimmy Kets show De Keyzer at work during the realization of his project.
“It seems to be an accepted fact that the sea level will rise dramatically before the end of the century as a result of climate change, partly because of us humans. Moments before the Flood is a visual, photographic investigation into how Europe is coping with this unpredictable threat. The coasts of Europe are the areas in which the repercussions of this threat will be felt. For four years, Carl De Keyzer has spent four months each year travelling the coasts of Europe. (...) The pictures he took within the framework of this project are massive, both in terms of size and resolution. 65 to 80 million pixels is an unprecedented degree of detail, facilitated by the latest technology.” (David Van Reybrouck)

http://www.lannoo-events.be/expo-carl-de-keyzer-moments-before-the-flood/

http://www.oostendseoosteroever.be/cultuur-poezie-proza/219-magnumfotograaf-carl-de-keyzer-brengt-de-expo-moments-before-the-flood-naar-oostende-oosteroever.html

http://www.visitoostende.be/en

http://www.carldekeyzer.com/

http://www.summerofphotography.be/en/exhibition/moments-flood