Angèle is Bruxelloise of the Year

Pop singer Angèle was named Bruxelloise of the Year at a ceremony yesterday evening. The annual event rewards outstanding residents and organisations in the capital.

The awards are sponsored by Belgium’s French-language media, which also publishes three nominees in each of five categories. These are then opened up to a public vote.

Angèle won not only the top prize but also the Culture category. She sings French-language pop songs; her first album, Brol, includes the hit singles “Je veux tes yeux” and “La Thune”. She comes from a talented family: Her father is the singer Marka, her mother the comedian Laurence Bibot, and her brother is rapper Romeo Elvis.

Born in Flemish Brabant, Angèle has successfully bridged Belgium’s cultural divide: She recently took home three statuettes from Flanders’ Music Industry Awards. She is currently on tour in France and sent in a video to accept her awards.

Infirmiers de rue won the award in the Community category, for its work in assisting Brussels homeless with health care and housing. The Political Action award went to ‘the green wave’, the phrase attached to last year’s local elections, which saw eco parties Ecolo and Groen gain much political ground.

The Economy award, meanwhile, went to the start-up BIGH for the Ferme Abattoir project. The 4,000 square-foot urban farm is located on the roof of the Foodmet at the Brussels Abattoir.

Finally, the Sport category was won by the Red Lions field hockey team, which won their first-ever world championship last December in India. They were the first team to win a World Cup for Belgium in 27 years.