Culture beat – March 27

It’s party time in more than 30 neighbourhoods  of the capital over the weekend with a rare opportunity to get an insiders’ view of the city. In Welcome Brussels, some 350 local residents open their doors to share an activity, hobby or passion. And if you live out of town, make a weekend of it with 750 hotel rooms on offer at a special price. Most activities are free, while some require a reservation. If you fancy sampling a Brussels brew, head to Schaerbeek organic restaurant The Place to (Place Colignon), which is running a workshop with craft brewery Adorée, from 11.30-15.30 on Saturday. The annual event is on March 29 and 30, 10.00-18.00.

If you are still in the city centre over the weekend, drop into Les Ateliers des Tanneurs for the Be Slow Food 2014 fair. Discover producers and outlets for sustainable food and drink in Brussels, and enjoy other activities: workshops, screenings, talks and demonstrations. Tastings and tipples guaranteed.

After the sun sets on Saturday night (don’t forget clocks jump an hour in the wee hours of Sunday morning), festivities continue at  Antitapas Primavera Night at Brussels Event Brewery. What started out as a house party held by four Italian friends has turned into a famous underground party, drawing hundreds of people for a mixed bag of concerts, DJs, free food, circus acts, workshops and more. From 21.00.

If you’re set on learning the local lingo or becoming a polyglot, take advantage of the International Language Days: Foreign languages fair on Friday and Saturday at Brussels Info Place (BIP). There is extensive information about professional advancement through language learning, courses, immersion classes and study abroad opportunities.

Greece has been presiding over Council of the European Union since January, and Bozar is staging a series of exhibitions in collaboration with the Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports. The opening one, Nautilus: Navigating Greece, spanned millenniawhile No Country for Young Men (until August 3, pictured) covers only the past five years, during which Greece has been plunged into an economic and political crisis from which it has yet to emerge. This exhibition of photography, painting and installation focuses on the work of 25 contemporary Greek artists and aims to show that although the country’s recent woes present challenges, they also offer the proverbial silver lining, namely an opportunity – even an obligation – to rethink the status quo and pioneer new forms.

Outside Brussels

Take advantage of the glorious weekend and catch the final weekend of seasonal blooms at the National Botanic Garden in Meise. Due to spring’s early arrival the garden is welcoming visitors two weeks earlier than usual to come and enjoy the already blossoming magnolia trees. Pick up a guide at the entrance for the two-hour Magnolia Walk and discover some 40 different types of magnolias, in addition to the carpet of crocuses, daffodils, rhododendrons, camellias, wild yellow primroses, anemones and more. Until March 30.