Good afternoon! I hope you made it back from wherever you went yesterday – you can't say we didn't warn you about the traffic. Ostend ended up closing its city centre to all vehicles as nearly 200,000 people headed to the coast. And rail passengers didn't fare much better – 1,000 of them had to be escorted off a train after it broke down and started smoking. Those of us who stayed home, or even went to work, can feel a small degree of schadenfreude.
Still, if you are not exhausted by the public holiday, then why not go out this weekend – after all, as our article today highlights, the Brussels nightlife scene needs your support.
In a now familiar tale, excessive and restrictive regulations, anti business rules, and political inertia are proving a real barrier to expansion, improvement and innovation according to major players in the nightlife sector. In some cases it's even forcing operators to throw in the towel.
We at The Brussels Times speak regularly to business leaders and organisation and associations, and they tell us the same thing – Brussels is not business friendly, and this needs to change. The will of entrepreneurs is there and the demand from the residents is there, but the action from politicians is not. Brussels wants and needs to attract people to the city, which has so many great things to offer; but if things continue on the current path, then it will drive away the very people and business it needs to create growth and a vibrant, exciting, ever evolving city.
So if you can't think of anything to do this weekend (and we have plenty of suggestions in our current 'What to do in Brussels this weekend' article) then why not go out – your local bar and nightclub needs you!
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1. Flanders to create better Dutch-language services in every Brussels commune
The plan is to work together with all 19 municipalities to improve the use and knowledge of Dutch in Brussels, especially outside the school context. Read More.
2. Calls to reimburse IVF treatment up to 47 years old in Belgium
Women who want children are waiting longer and longer to have them, and those who wait a long time tend to have fewer children or none at all. Read More.
IVF treatment. Credit: KU Leuven
3. Federal Police seize over €1.4 million in Brussels anti-money laundering operation
The alleged leader of the criminal organisation has fled to Dubai and is actively being sought. Read More.
4. Brussels’ nightlife scene is fighting to keep the lights on
ART Blanc leads one of Brussels' vibrant nightlife and hospitality empires. Owned by two brothers, the party never end for them, but the rules might kill it. Read More.
5. Why new Brussels-based WW2 novel feels more timely than ever
33 Place Brugmann is an immersive work of historical fiction, weaving the intimate lives of 14 apartments in one building in wartime Brussels. Read More.
6. Iris Day: How and where to enjoy Brussels’ regional holiday
The Brussels Capital Region celebrates its 36th annual Iris Festival. Here's a comprehensive overview of what to do and where to do it. Read More.
7. What to do this weekend in Brussels: 2 – 4 May
The Brussels Times has prepared a jam-packed roster of music, art, theatre, and family friendly events to ensure a fun-filled agenda this Brussels Iris weekend. Read More.
