Good afternoon.
If you are a fan of dressing up in strange costumes, wearing masks and approaching strangers asking them for treats, then this weekend is for you. And I'm not talking about the myriad of exotic "lifestyle" venues that Belgium is increasingly populated with!
No, I'm referring to the fact that this weekend is of course Halloween. The festival has morphed into a huge commercial behemoth in recent decades, obliterating many more traditional celebrations which were tied to this time of year, and in the process detaching younger generations from the more spiritual and ancient aspects of the festival.
So it is with a degree of positivity that I can say Brussels and Belgium still has many things going on this weekend that will allow you a glimpse into the past, and maybe beyond. We have highlighted many of them in articles today and we will also give you a snapshot of some of the quirky treats in store over the next couple of days.
It is a tangible example of the benefits of living in this small city so international and diverse in its rich patchwork of cultures, and which also maintains the Belgian flavour of this time of year.
The fact that Halloween falls on a weekend period this year will also mean we are all likely to be safer. We should escape encountering ghostly figures late at night, or the hordes of undead and ghoulish gangs of marauding zombies that roam the city streets - as the EU institutions will be empty from this afternoon!
Have a safe weekend, and in case you didn't know it, my favourite small sweets are mini Twix (other chocolate/caramel/biscuit bars are available)! Just saying.
Belgium in Brief is a free daily roundup of the top stories to get you through your coffee break conversations. To receive it straight to your inbox every day, sign up below:
1. Lives in limbo: What next for the thousands of Ukrainians living in Belgium?
Belgium has granted temporary protection to more than 90,000 Ukrainians, many of whom feel torn over whether to stay here or return to their homeland. Read more.
2. Euthanasia fees, alcohol rules and burial forests: What changes in Belgium on 1 November?
The most important changes from November and how they will impact people can be found here. Read more.
3. What to do in Brussels this weekend: 31 October – 2 November
From Halloween themed activities to events for music lovers, find out what Brussels has to offer this weekend. Read more.
4. The Exorcist-inspired bar that’s been serving up a fright in Brussels for almost 50 years
Le Cercueil is known for its selection of beers served in skull cups, and its cocktails with vividly on-brand names, including ‘Satan’s spawn’ and ‘Corpse Juice’. Read more.
5. What is All Saints’ Day, and what is open in Belgium on 1 November?
Many Belgian families visit the graves of their loved ones in cemeteries and decorate them with flowers – specifically chrysanthemums. Read more.
6. ‘The danger is very real’, STIB warns after rise in people jumping onto metro tracks
If an item falls onto the tracks, passengers are urged to use SOS call points or seek help from metro staff rather than trying to retrieve it themselves. Read more.
7. More Belgians opting for early retirement despite government push to extend careers
The upcoming rise in the legal retirement age to 66 in 2025 may have prompted many to retire sooner, analysts suggest. Read more.
