society

A Sea Change in Ostend
On a visit to the Flemish coastal town of Ostend, Derek Blyth discovers grand architecture, a world-famous soul singer and the perfect shrimp croquette.

Cubes and Pyramids: Peculiar Architecture in the Low Countries
In this podcast, we cast our view on a few of the most striking, unique or just plain weird buildings that can be found in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Tour of Flanders

Globe Aroma: A Third Place for Artists from Elsewhere
Globe Aroma provides support to refugees, migrants and illegal immigrants in their art whilst giving them the opportunity to discover a wide range of cultural offerings in Brussels.

Mad about Geel
On a trip to Geel, Derek Blyth discovers a murdered Irish saint, a community that cares for strangers, and a mellow city that is simply crazy about reggae.
Brussels Lab

Brusselisation, Both an Urban Phenomenon and a Historical Milestone
The post-war transformation of Brussels was a traumatising experience for a large proportion of its population.

Why Brussels Needs to Rethink Its Governance
Social and political changes are forcing Brussels to rethink its governance. But there is little room to manoeuvre.
The L-Spot

Ode to Mechelen
On a trip to Mechelen, Derek Blyth discovers lost mediaeval rivers, Beethoven’s Flemish roots and the world’s oldest carillon school.

Famines Are Part of Our Living Past
The impending famine caused by the war in Ukraine recalls previous famines: in Ireland, in Ukraine itself, but also in the Low Countries.
The DNA of the Netherlands

The Belgian Roots of the American Protestant Church of The Hague
The American Protestant Church of The Hague was originally built for the 1958 World's Fair in Brussels.

Benefit Campaigns for Ukraine Fit Into a Historical Tradition
Charity has a long tradition in the Netherlands and the actions for Ukraine show many parallels to past events.

The Threat Is Approaching from All Sides Now
According to journalist Huib Modderkolk, the Belgian and Dutch governments are taking nowhere near enough protective measures against digital hacking and sabotage.

Don’t Worry, Be Hasselt
On a trip to the capital of the Belgian province of Limburg, Derek Blyth finds comforting food, innovative architecture and 25 places to be happy.

Sinners and Saints: Faith and Religion in the Low Countries
In this podcast, you will discover why the story of religion in the Low Countries is much more layered than claiming that the Netherlands is a Calvinist society and Belgium a Catholic one.

Horsing Around in Vilvoorde
Derek Blyth discovers a monument to an English martyr, a traditional horsemeat restaurant and a waterfront that looks like Brooklyn.

A Concrete Pyramid to Pray In
Derek Blyth visits a church that looks more like a pyramid from a science fiction film than a house of prayer.

Gear Up For Oudenaarde
Derek Blyth discovers a battlefield that shaped European history, a cafe dedicated to cycle racing and a tapestry with a secret message.

How Dutch Historians Unremembered Decolonization
Irish historian Paul Doolan claims that for many decades, Dutch historians have inadequately investigated the decolonization of Indonesia.

Countering the Forgetting: Dutch Indies Literature in the Twenty-First Century
A lifetime after the end of the colonial era, Dutch Indies literature still plays off colonial myths and realities against each other, and finds words for painful, half-forgotten things.

Netherlands Is Guilty of ‘Systemic Extreme Violence’ in Indonesia
A large-scale investigation shows that Dutch soldiers used extreme violence during the Indonesian War of Independence and that high-ranking officials condoned it.

Zennegat: Intersection of Water, Artists and Pubs
Discover the tiny village of Zennegat, one of the most remote spots in Flanders.