Books

  • 1. Expo '58 (Jonathan Coe)

    Published in 2013, this novel is a delightful blend of comedy, romance, and Cold War intrigue set against the backdrop of the 1958 Brussels World's Fair. The story follows Thomas Foley, a young Englishman who finds himself thrust into the role of a diplomat at the British Pavilion of the Expo.

  • 2. The Lady and the Unicorn (Tracy Chevalier)

    This historical novel is set in Paris and Brussels. It follows the creation of the famous Unicorn Tapestries and the lives of those involved in their making, offering a vivid portrait of medieval Brussels.

  • 3. Vanity Fair (William Makepeace Thackeray)

    Published in 1848, this satirical novel is set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars and features important scenes in Brussels. The story follows the lives of two contrasting women, Becky Sharp and Amelia Sedley, as they navigate the complexities of love, ambition, and social climbing.

Movies

  • 1. Brussels by Night (1983)

    Directed by Marc Didden, this Belgian film offers a gritty and atmospheric portrayal of Brussels' nightlife scene in the 1980s, following the lives of various characters as they navigate the city after dark.

  • 2. The Expatriate (2012)

    Starring Aaron Eckhart and Olga Kurylenko, this action thriller follows a former CIA agent living in Brussels who must go on the run with his daughter after they become targets of a conspiracy.

  • 3. The Brand New Testament (2015)

    Released in 2015, the movie imagines a world where God exists and lives in Brussels, Belgium. In this fantastical setting, God is portrayed as an irritable and mischievous figure who delights in causing chaos and misery for humanity.