Belgium in Brief: New month, new rules, new events
With February being the shortest month (even with its extra day this year), the new month full of changes to Belgium's rules came even quicker than usual this time around.
From a bigger bonus for people ditching their polluting cars, limited opening hours of ticket offices in train stations and cheaper internet for low-income households, a lot is changing in March.
For those looking to start March on a more cultural note, many museums offer free entry on the first Sunday of the month, and this weekend promises art exhibitions in abundance, a music festival for children, an Asian pop culture extravaganza and folkloric festivities.
To celebrate 100 years of surrealism, two exhibitions on Belgium's famous avant-garde movement are ongoing in Brussels: one in Bozar and the other in Brussels' Royal Museums of Fine Arts (KMSKB).
On another note, the 'Made in Asia' festival is also taking place at Brussels Expo from today. Heralded as the meeting place for fans of manga, anime, video games, YouTubers and cosplay, the festival promises dancing Chinese lions, the beautiful sound of Japanese Koto string instruments and blaring K-pop.
In addition to the extensive Asian food hall, there will also be massages, tea ceremonies, Mahjong, calligraphy, and Japanese language learning.
1. Why Brussels became the capital of the EU
For more than 65 years, Brussels has hosted the European Commission and other key European institutions. But the city’s role as the de facto capital of the EU was far from inevitable. Read more.
2. Cheaper internet and extra money to ditch your car: What changes on 1 March?
3. What to do in Brussels this weekend: 1 - 3 March
As well as being the first Sunday of the month (when many museums offer free entry), this weekend promises art exhibitions in abundance, a music festival for children, an Asian pop culture extravaganza and folkloric festivities. Read more.
4. 41% more terrorism and extremism threats in 2023
The threat level in Belgium remains high, with Brussels in particular a potential target – as October's terror attack proved. Belgium's Threat Assessment Body (OCAD) has observed a significant rise in threats in 2023. The second-highest threat level remains in place. Read more.
5. KU Leuven criticised for 'reactive' condemnation of far-right event on campus
KU Leuven has lodged a complaint against far-right political activist Dries Van Langenhove and has banned the student association that hosted him from using campus facilities until 2025. Read more.
6. Live phone images of fire can now be shared with Brussels emergency centre
People calling the emergency centre of the Brussels fire brigade can now share live images of the incident they are calling about via their smartphone. It is the first Belgian rescue zone to facilitate this. Read more.
7. Over a quarter of bees from Flemish beekeepers did not survive winter
Beekeepers in Flanders lost an average of 27% of their bee population this winter, according to figures from the Flemish Beekeeping Institute (VBI). 10% of beekeepers even lost all their bees. Read more.
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