#Brussels-Midi

[starstruckkittenglitter]

[vogelmeister]

if i got a dollar for every play i wrote where the opening was at a train station in europe i would have two dollars which isn’t a lot but its weird it happened twice

[chaddavisphotography]

Brussels South/Midi Train Station in Belgium. September 2017.

[edanhier]

© EDanhier

Ouverture de la Foire du Midi 2023.

[have-you-been-here]

Gare du midi/Zuidstation, Brussels, Belgium

[takikojou]

Look who's at Brussels Midi station! I've been there a few times so I recognise the sign. 😅

Safe travels, Mr Padalecki!

[sgiandubh]

He's been in Los Angeles since Tuesday. Work friend saw him in Malubu Tuesday night. She said he was with a couple people no mention of Caitriona.

Dear Tuesday Anon,

I am sorry to pop your balloon here, but I'd be reserved on this. It could fit, but barely.

You all know I am terrible with timelines, but here is my take on things:

Sunday 28th, red carpet in Ostende, Belgium. Afterparty, etc. Perhaps not the best idea to pop in a car all'alba/at daybreak for an almost 5 hour ride to Paris.

Monday 29th, not much. We can speculate, but I would need an Advil. Most probably on this way to Paris. I doubt the Eurostar (the train formerly known as Thalys) was worth a Brussels detour and, while they used to have an Ostende-Paris direct link, it was dropped off around 2015. Why take a 90 minutes' detour (119 km!) to get to the Bruxelles Midi Train Station and hop on the Paris direct Eurostar link for the 90 minute ride, when you could only add (roughly) an hour by car and leave directly from Ostende?

I am immediately having visions of the horrendously impractical hullaballoo at Bruxelles Midi and to me, it's a firm no. @margareth-lv 's guess of a direct car trip is the most logical one and I am sticking with it. Paris pic was posted on Wednesday morning and he was staying at the Hôtel Lutétia, as I heavily hinted in my post (it used to be the Nazi Abwehr/Military Intelligence HQ during World War II). Probably one of the corner suites (angle of rue de Sèvres and Boulevard Raspail), hotel has a very good seafood restaurant, too.

Everything fits: the outside view, the reel/story angle. On my screenshot, x marks the spot on the map and the arrow, the outside view of the corner suites. I should know, it was my playground, many moons ago:

It is possible the reel was taken Monday evening upon arrival, but for being intimately familiar with Parisian nights, my best bet is on Tuesday morning, very early (jogging? leaving?). Just an intuition, and I could be wrong and I am ready to correct and edit, as we go.

We then assume a direct CDG-LAX flight. Since it's not possible to check past flight schedules, we work with a random February Tuesday. First and Business class yield different results (Shipper Mum, a former airline executive, helped me with those over the phone: hi, mum!).

Traveling First Class (very possible, damn expensive, but money is no object and Frequent Flyer mileage - always redeemable):

Traveling Business Class (reasonably possible and two more options):

Factoring in arrival/border/luggage procedures and city/airport, then airport/city transfers, it's not impossible, but to any normal human being who was Batman only on stage (even very fit)... a bit of a stretch.

This is my take on your info. Please don't take it personally (or at least try). I simply think he might have arrived in LA yesterday, Thursday, when the Los Feliz pic was taken, with his luggage in tow.

But you know what, Tuesday Anon? One thing I am sure of, is that this is exactly what he wants us to do, right now. Cue in the Yellow Ski Outfitgate, for fun. Schuss on top - that was a blatant von Trapp latergram and my mind immediately pictured a sidesmile.

At any rate, don't be a stranger. I answered you with all the care and caution in the world. And thank you, whoever you are. It was a fun phone call to Bucharest and Mom, who is laughing like a drain and told me I was probably bonkers.

[donotbelasagne]

For some fucking reason I am apparently never allowed a chill day when I go see Reece.

Last time I had the homebound journey from hell (fuck you Brussels midi), this time my partner's getting operated on, so obviously that what I gotta focus on this Friday.

Perhaps I will go see Reece, perhaps I will be in a panic about my partner. AAAAA

[loneberry]

Reading: Saturday, 11am, Torino, Italy

BOOK LAUNCH

Readings & Prints and Artist Books Editions by Ezio Gribaudo

Paint It Black

Via Fratelli Calandra, 6/A, Turin

Saturday 14 December

11 am - 1 pm

The events will start at Paint it Black at 11 am and will continue after a walk of 15 mn at the Archivio Gribaudo from 2 pm to 4 pm.

With Axis Axis, Jesper List Thomsen, Jackie Wang, Lilou Vidal

The book launch will be accompanied by a conversation with the publisher's team from Axis Axis and Lilou Vidal (co-editor of the publication and artistic and scientific director of the Archivio Gribaudo).

In dialog with the work of Gribaudo and experimental poetry, Jackie Wang will present a new intervention, entitled A New Pliable Concrete: Between Water and Earth while Jesper List Thomsen will read his piece Avoiding The Genius across the two spaces of Paint it Black and at the Archivio Gribaudo (with a 15 mn interlude walk).

A selection of historical graphic prints and some limited editions of books by Ezio Gribaudo will be presented in both spaces.

Jackie Wang

A New Pliable Concrete: Between Water and Earth

This reading intervention will be an exploration of the poetics of the material imagination, paying particular attention to the combination of water and earth as the constitutive elements of concrete.

Jackie Wang is a poet, scholar, multimedia artist, and Assistant Professor of American Studies & Ethnicity at the University of Southern California. She is the author of Carceral Capitalism (Semiotext(e), 2018), the poetry collection The Sunflower Cast A Spell To Save Us From The Void (Nightboat Books, 2021, National Book Award Finalist), and the experimental essay collection Alien Daughters Walk Into the Sun (Semiotext(e), 2023).

Jesper List Thomsen

Avoiding The Genius (Part 1)

A reading across two spaces (with a 15mn interlude walk).

Avoiding The Genius is a text in nine parts that trace and document eight sculptures in the garden Villa Giulia, Palermo, Sicily. Forensic in nature, the piece carries a sculptural proposition into text, unraveling the complex ties binding body, language and image. The text was first published alongside works by Marie Lund in the publication Scout (Mousse/MIDI, 2017).

Jesper List Thomsen works with text, painting, sculpture and performance. Recent exhibitions and performances have taken place at MACRO, Rome; Kölnischer Kunstverein, Cologne; West Den Haag, Den Haag; Braunsfelder, Cologne; Fanta-MLN, Milan; Radio Athènes, Athens; Hot Wheels Athens, Athens; Parrhesiades, London; ICA, London; Künstlerhaus Stuttgart, Stuttgart; Bureau des Réalités, Brussels. BASE BASE, a book-length collection of his writings was published by Juan de la Cosa, Mexico City/London in 2018 and his book FREEEee was published by L’Esprit de l’Escalier, London/Helsinki in 2021.

11 am - 1 pm

Paint It Black

Via Fratelli Calandra, 6a

10123 Turin

Tel. +39 338 269 7338

hello@paintitblack.ink

Lunch break and drinks

15mn interlude walk from Paint it Black to Archivio Gribaudo

[bloodbecomeswater]

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗧𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡

by Blood Becomes Water

‘The Setlist Collection’ follows the paper trail left behind by 70 bands across different genres from rock’n’roll, garage, punk and psychedelic soul to post-punk, wave and alternative indie - a personal anthology of setlists stretching out over 18 years, 40 venues, 8 festivals and 13 countries.

104 pages, limited edition of 100 copies.

Pre-order now via https://bloodbecomeswater.tk/store/

Official book release June 22nd, 5pm at 72 Records (72 Rue du Midi, Brussels, Belgium), with a live performance by Keeper Volant.

[beardedmrbean]

1. Brussels-Midi station reimagined from 'no-man's-land' to key meeting place

While Brussels Midi station is one of the most important train stations in Europe – with over 60,000 people passing through every day – it has a history of crime and open drug use, with locals voicing growing feelings of insecurity. Read more.

2. Why most Belgian farmers aren't joining today's protest in Brussels

Tractors are expected to once again track manure through the streets of Brussels on Tuesday, the latest in a series of farmer protests that have caused significant disruption in the Belgian and de facto European capital. Read more.

3. Brussels, the city of bubbles

Restless Brussels wants expats (but not only) to burst their bubble and get politically active in their host city. Read more.

4. Woman gives birth at ticket counter in Mechelen train station

A woman has given birth in the ticket hall of Mechelen train station. Fortunately for her, a midwife in training happened to be in the room, and helped her. Mother and daughter are both healthy. Read more.

5. One in five EU adults in their early 30s still live with their parents

One in five (20%) adults aged between 30 and 34 in the European Union still lives with their parents, according to a new analysis by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound). Read more.

6. Brussels Environment authorised to take action against wild boar in Woluwe

A wild boar has been spotted in Woluwe Park for several weeks. The authorities of Woluwe-Saint-Pierre have issued a decree allowing the Brussels Environment teams to take measures to ensure public safety, stated Mayor Benoît Cerexhe's office on Sunday. Read more.

7. Le Chou: Michel’s ‘Mediocre’ Manoeuvers Bounce Off Von Der Leyen

Le Chou is Europe's most dedicated source of news. Catch up weekly on the biggest headlines with our roundup, all with an intentionally inaccurate and satirical streak. Follow live updates on Twitter and watch Le Chou TV on Instagram. Read more.

[victorysp]

State visit to Belgium – programme

His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Máxima will be paying a state visit to Belgium at the invitation of His Majesty the King of the Belgians. The visit will start in Brussels on the morning of Tuesday 20 June and end in Antwerp on the evening of Thursday 22 June. The King and Queen will be accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Wopke Hoekstra on the first and third days of their visit. Minister of Education, Culture and Science Robbert Dijkgraaf will accompany them on the second day. Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Liesje Schreinemacher, Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality Piet Adema, Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Mark Harbers, Minister of Defence Kajsa Ollongren, Minister of Social Affairs and Employment Karien van Gennip and Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy Micky Adriaansens will each be attending separate parts of the programme.

The state visit will reaffirm the excellent ties between the two neighbouring countries, which have strong historical, social and economic links. Key common themes during the visit will be improving social and physical liveability, combating climate change, maintaining and promoting a safe society and working towards a sustainable future in which energy is green and affordable. The visit will further deepen the close collaboration between the Netherlands and Belgium, as they both work towards a safer, cleaner and more sustainable future.

Tuesday 20 June – Brussels

Morning

Arrival at Brussels Midi train station

The state visit will begin in Brussels, with the King and Queen arriving by royal train at Brussel Midi station where they will be welcomed by the Belgian foreign minister. 

Welcome ceremony

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde will receive King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima at a welcome ceremony at the Royal Palace. 

Afternoon

Wreath-laying ceremony

Following the welcome ceremony at the palace, the King and Queen of the Netherlands will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This monument commemorates all unidentified Belgian soldiers who fell during the First World War.

Federal Parliament

Following a lunch at the Royal Palace, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima will visit the Federal Parliament of Belgium. They will speak with members of the Chamber of Representatives and the Senate before being given a tour of the building.

Meeting with the Prime Minister

The King and Queen will then meet with Prime Minister Alexander de Croo at Lambermont, his official residence.

Meeting with the mayor of Brussels and walkabout in Grand-Place

Later that afternoon both royal couples will be received by the mayor of Brussels, Philippe Close, at the town hall. During a walkabout in Grand-Place square the royal party will then have the opportunity to meet inhabitants of Brussels and tourists. 

Evening

State banquet

In the evening King Philippe will host a state banquet at the Castle of Laeken, at which both heads of state will give a speech. 

Wednesday 21 June – Brussels, Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Waterloo and Charleroi

Morning

Climate Tech Forum

The second day of the visit will begin at the Climate Tech Forum, part of the parallel economic mission headed by foreign trade minister Liesje Schreinemacher. The event will be attended by some 500 representatives of Belgian and Dutch knowledge institutions, businesses and public sector bodies. They will be exchanging knowledge and exploring opportunities for cooperation on green hydrogen, climate neutral construction, future-proof agriculture and horticulture, and smart, sustainable mobility. The royal party will also visit an innovation market highlighting Belgian-Dutch collaborations and attend part of the plenary programme. King Philippe and King Willem-Alexander will each give a short speech. 

Aerospacelab

King Philippe and King Willem-Alexander will visit Aerospacelab in Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve which specialises in satellite data, and in designing, testing and producing satellites. They will be given a tour, visit the cleanroom and meet members of staff. 

Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel

Queen Mathilde and Queen Máxima will visit the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Waterloo. Each year the institution hosts approximately 70 international young musicians, who follow a programme of lessons, concerts and recitals, work with orchestras and participate in festivals. Queen Mathilde and Queen Máxima will meet several of the musicians, attend performances and be given a tour. 

Afternoon

Lunch meeting on water management 

The royal party will attend a lunch in the orangery at the Castle of Seneffe, at which Belgian and Dutch experts will give presentations on addressing the risks of drought and flooding. 

BioPark Charleroi

In the afternoon the party will visit BioPark Charleroi, a biotech ecosystem where businesses and knowledge institutions conduct research on life sciences and develop solutions to challenges in healthcare. 

Unveiling of comic mural and comic strip workshop 

On arrival in Charleroi the royal party will walk to the Institut Saint-André school, while greeting the public. Outside the school they, and a number of pupils, will unveil a mural designed by the Dutch comic book artist Dido Drachman and Belgian graphic novel artist Christian Durieux. They will then participate in a comic strip workshop together with pupils from the school. The unveiling of the mural and the comic strip workshop will mark the end of a cultural festival involving Belgian and Dutch artists.

Evening

Concert 

In the evening King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima will host a concert by the Amsterdam Sinfonietta string orchestra at the Flagey culture house in Brussels to thank their hosts for their hospitality. 

Thursday 22 June – Leuven and Antwerp

Morning

Imec

The third day of the state visit will begin in Leuven, where King Philippe, Queen Mathilde, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima will visit Imec, a research centre specialising in chip technology that supports companies developing digital applications. The royal party will attend a roundtable meeting with the CEOs of Imec’s Belgian and Dutch partners.

Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp

King Philippe, Queen Mathilde, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima will start their visit to Antwerp with a walk to the Royal Museum of Fine Arts (KMSKA). They will have the opportunity to meet the people of Antwerp along the way. The royal party will be given a tour of the museum, which boasts a collection representing seven centuries of art. The museum’s recent renovation was overseen by Dutch architect Dikkie Scipio. Its collection includes highlights of Flemish Baroque as well as examples of primitivism and expressionism, and features works by Peter Paul Rubens, James Ensor and Rik Wouters.

Afternoon

Lunch meeting on early school leavers and youth unemployment

After the museum tour the royal party will attend a lunch meeting on the theme of tackling youth unemployment. Many young people in Antwerp leave school without a qualification, while at the same time there are a large number of unfilled job vacancies at secondary vocational level. At the lunch young people will be sharing their experiences and speaking with researchers about the role of educational institutions and employers in guiding vulnerable young people and their development.

Port Authority Building

After the lunch meeting the royal party will be given a short tour of the Port Authority Building and will speak with CEOs and participants of the Belgian-Dutch Port Open Day being held in the Port of Antwerp. They will look at how ports and their industrial clusters can work together to achieve shared ambitions relating to the energy transition, and the infrastructure this requires.

Belgian and Dutch frigates 

In the Port of Antwerp King Philippe and King Willem-Alexander will visit the Belgian frigate Louise-Marie, while Queen Mathilde and Queen Máxima visit the Dutch frigate HNLMS De Ruyter. There will be various demonstrations on board and on shore. This part of the programme will focus on the partnership between the Belgian and Dutch navies. The Royal Netherlands Navy and the Belgian Navy operate the same types of ships and helicopters, cooperate on maintenance and carry out joint exercises. Following the visit to the frigates, a farewell ceremony will be held on shore.

Reception for the Dutch community

At the end of the afternoon a reception for the Dutch community in Belgium will be held in the historic Handelsbeurs, Antwerp’s former stock exchange.

Government Information Service, no. 145

[vogelmeister]

me: i figured out how to open my play!

also me: researching brussels zuid/midi station intensively

[bonesandthebees]

Oh no, rip the pasta, but yeah depending which train it was there can be considerable gaps between them, so getting the train is more important than getting the pasta. I’m sure you’ll get good food in Antwerp, there’s loads of places to buy stuff in that station (though I don’t know if there’s a pasta place of the top of my head).

Seeing your tags made me laugh so hard. You get it. I could send a dm and do so very easily, but it just feels weird because we communicate via asks.

Also you are doing so much trains today because you were on a train for like 4(?) hours this morning, than you had to do Eurostar which is like and hour and something and now Brussels-midi to Antwerp, which like another 50 min. At least you are getting a lot of writing time in.

-🌲

Yeah there’s plenty of food in Antwerp I know!! I’m currently sitting in a burger place in Antwerp so I made it woohoo (the pasta did smell so good tho when I walked by 😭)

Also yes you are not the only one with the “we could dm but it feels wrong at this point” vibes LMAO it goes both ways

And yes I’ve been on… a lot of trains in the past 24 hours. I took an overnight train from Edinburgh to London (sleeping in a train seat is NOT fun) and got to London around 6:30 am (we left just before midnight). Then I hung out in the London station for like 6 hours for my Eurostar train to Brussels, and that train was about 3 hours long. And then finally once I got to Brussels I hopped straight onto a train to Antwerp which was about another hour. I am so tired I’m gonna pass the fuck out after I eat this burger

[travel-journal-from-shirokane]

Brussels Midi, Station(Brussels, Belgium) ブリュッセル南駅★★

I’ve arrived at Brussels Midi (^o^)

Now I'm heading to my accommodation, Novotel Brussels off Grand Place (^o^)v

ブリュッセル南駅に到着(^o^)

これより宿泊先のノボテル・ブリュッセル・オフ・グランド・プレイスに向かいま〜す(^o^)v

[reconversionruina]

Indian Flanders (2023)

Zine printed in Samenschool, Antwerp.

Distribution in the train station of Belgium: Antwerpen Centraal and Gare du Midi Brussels.

https://experiments.samenschool.org/free-books/indianFlanders-booklet.pdf