Culture beat – June 13

The World Cup kicked off last night with a colourful opening ceremony, predicted win for home country Brazil and protests in cities around the South American country. Here in Belgium it was a quieter affair and the warm weather favoured outdoor screenings in many bars and restaurants. With the Red Devils finally back in the competition (after 12 years on the bench), Belgium naturally has high hopes for its current golden generation of players. So the country is set for a month-long party, whatever the outcome for Kompany and his men. There’s no shortage of venues to watch every match, although big public screens are in shorter supply due to the astronomical sums paid by national TV stations (they prefer we support our favourite teams from the comfort of home while downing specially-branded beer and snacks). Late kick-offs are also a discouraging factor. One venue offering World Cup action throughout the tournament is The Football Village at the Autoworld Brasserie, organised by after work team @seven. There’s free entrance, a bar, barbecue (reservation necessary) and DJ. Other big crowd screenings are at the King Baudouin stadium in Heysel, Place Dumon in Stockel, and Place Reine Astrid, Jette (Belgium matches only). If watching from home evokes nail-biting anxiety, alternatives are local Irish pubs and sports bars.  The usual suspects are watering holes in the city centre, Schuman and Place Luxembourg. For a full-on Brazilian experience, try the Dona Flor restaurant in Chaussée de Waterloo. It has space for up to 80 revellers and is laying on a themed buffet for many matches. Fans of Australia’s Socceroos are gathering tonight at Scott’s Bar for the midnight game against Chile, and on June 18 there will be big screens and a barbecue at the Aloft Brussels hotel in Schuman for Australia vs the Netherlands. Details from aussiesocietybelgium@gmail.com

Joining in the action is Mig’s World Wines World Cup with a wine tasting on Saturday (June 14) from 14.00-18.00. There will be seven stands showcasing Brazilian tipples including the ubiquitous caiprinha cocktail, Belgian wines and spirits, and wines from other competing countries. Entrance free and booking not necessary.

Showing Belgian’s national team in a an alternative light is Stephan Vanfleteren’s excellent portrait exhibition MMXIV – Les Diables/De Duivels at Le Botanique until August 17. The black-and-white photos of the players’ naked bodies is an intimate and artistic portrayal of their semi-god status. Midfielder Axel Witsel’s tattoo-embellished torso is equipped with wings, Christian Benteke (missing the World Cup due to a ruptured Achiles tendon) effortlessly lifts Chelsea player Kevin De Bruyne (pictured); powerful images of a group of men complicit in their striving for athletic prowess.

If all this action inspires you to abandon your sofa, then lace up your skates and get ready to roll through the tunnels and streets of the capital as T-Man Roller Bike Parade is now underway every Friday at 20.00. It is one of eight cities around the country hosting the summer sporting event until the end of September. This year’s edition adds more music to the mix with emerging artists and DJs given the opportunity to show their talent. The Brussels parade leaves from Place Poelaert. 

The temperature drops this weekend but the sun should still be shining for this free outdoor arts festival for children, SuperVliegSuperMouche, in Forest park on Sunday (June 15) from 10.00-19.00. Numerous activities include workshops, theatre, dance and music and there is a special programme for babies and under twos. In French and Dutch.

Discover Brussels’ horticultural past in weekend of events organised for the Year of Flora, March 2014 – March 2015, celebrating 300 years of gardens in Belgium. Visit the Botanical Gardens in Rue Royale (entrance via le Botanique) on Saturday at 14.00. The urban garden, complete with orangery and greenhouse, iris border, pond and sculptures, was re-designed by René Pechère in 1958 for the World Expo. A conference on June 17 explores the history of Le Jardin Botanique de Bruxelles (1826-1912) at the CIVA auditorium.

Book tickets now for Brussels International Catholic School’s end-of-year production of the Gilbert & Sullivan favourite The Mikado at Auderghem Cultural Centre on June 25. The school is predicting a sell-out performance of the bittersweet Japanese musical (pictured).