New Brussels mural unveiled as Balkan Trafik returns

A new mural by a Bulgarian artist has been inaugurated in downtown Brussels to coincide with the launch of the 12th edition of the Balkan Trafik festival.

The festival, which puts Balkan culture centre stage in Brussels, has an emphasis on a particular cultural facet each year - and this year's is "urban".

Bulgarian artist Bozko has created a large mural of "imaginary characters who are strange but adorable" in the Old Port neighbourhood (Quai du Bois de Construction 7).

So as not to be limited to government-owned buildings, the City of Brussels recently launched a call to private owners who would allow their walls to be used. This new mural by Bozko is on one of those privately owned walls.

Completed late on Tuesday, the mural was inaugurated on Wednesday morning in the presence of Brussels city councillor Karine Lalieux, Balkan Trafik director Nicolas Wieërs and the artist.

The 12th edition of Balkan Trafik (concerts, happenings, exhibitions, films and workshops) takes place at Bozar from 19-22 April.

The City of Brussels' Parcours Street Art website catalogues 150 murals - both official and spontaneous ones, as well as artist biographies and other info. In the coming months an additional 12 commissioned murals will see the light of day.