Brussels is the new Berlin
Leading American newspaper, the New York Times has recently cited Brussels as one of the most exciting creative locations of the moment. "For decades, Europe’s buttoned-up political centre had a reputation for stodginess and chilliness. No longer: Brussels has quietly emerged as one of the continent’s most exciting creative hubs", it says.
"As the battleground for debates over debt limits and currency crises, Belgium’s capital city is sometimes seen as the checkbook-balancing foil to freewheeling Antwerp. But in recent years, artists, upstart architects, independent hoteliers and fashion designers from across the continent have relocated in such numbers as to spark the inevitable 'new Berlin' moniker", the paper continues.
According to the New York Times, this is clear from the art galleries, concept stores and boutique hotels that have sprung up. As to why so many creative types have relocated to the city, the newspaper puts it down to the relatively low rent prices and the mentality. The city's openness is particularly valued. "I love Paris, but life is probably easier in Belgium. People are very open and innovative", says Isabelle Thiltgès, a sculptor who recently returned to her native Brussels from Paris, where she lived for 30 years "The people here are open and innovative and always a bit ahead of the rest of Europe."
Another draw is the location: Brussels is two hours by train from Paris, London, Cologne and Amsterdam. "Berlin is an island unto itself, while Brussels’ location makes it an attractive place for artists to take residency and for collectors to pass through on tours of Europe,’’ says Louis-Philippe Van Eeckhoutte, director of Office Baroque, an art gallery that relocated from Antwerp two years ago. "It’s not as busy as Paris or as international as London, but it has a big, open scene of galleries, artists and curators."
You can see the New York Times' favourite places in Brussels in the full article on the newspaper's website.