FOR THE MIND

LANGUAGES

Brussels is the official bi-lingual capital of Belgium. Practically, this means that all the official indications like names of streets and traffic indications, fire prevention installations, fire exits, etc...are given in two languages: French and Dutch. The majority of the people in Brussels speak French. The French in Brussels and Belgium differs only slightly from the one spoken in France (e.g. SEVENTY is 'septante' in Belgium and 'soixante-dix' in France, NINETY is 'nonante' in Belgium and 'quatre-vingt dix' in France. Also certain expressions and words can have a different meaning. The French language in Brussels has sometimes been influenced by Dutch phase-structures that the people in France wouldn't understand.

The other language is Dutch. Dutch in Belgium is also sometimes called Flemish but it is the same language as the one spoken in Holland, but again with differences in accent, vocabulary and influences from French phrase-structures.

English is rapidly becoming an important language in Brussels because of the numerous international political organizations. In the restaurants, hotels, cafés one should not have too many problems getting around in English. The Dutch-speakers in Brussels will easier communicate in English than the French-speakers.

RELIGION

Belgium is a predominantly roman-catholic country. Most churches in Brussels are Roman-Catholic. In the Saint-Nicholas church off Grand'Place services are held in other languages than French and Dutch. Most other religions also have prayer houses in Brussels. Check out the phone directory to find the nearest Mosque, Synagogue, Protestant Church, Orthodox church that is closest to your hotel or apartment.

MOVIES

In Brussels you can go to the movies in the center of town , or at the Heysel district (which can be reached by Metro).

The average movie ticket costs around 7 € - 8 € (EURO).

BE CAREFUL: most movies in Brussels run in two different versions. 1. the original version with Dutch subtitles, 2. The version dubbed in French. If you want to see the original version look out for the films marked VO (Version Originale) at the entrance of the movie theater.

NEWSPAPERS AND PRESS

In Brussels you can get the most important international newspapers on the day of publishing. The largest choice will be available in the newspaper shops around the Grand'Place, Stock Exchange and Place De Brouckère.

The local press consists of French-language and Dutch-language newspapers and magazines. The most important French papers are: LE SOIR, LA LIBRE BELGIQUE, LA DERNIERE HEURE,. The Dutch ones are: DE STANDAARD, DE MORGEN, HET LAATSTE NIEUWS.

There is a very useful English-language magazine about Brussels called THE BULLETIN . It is published weekly and focuses on 'political, cultural and social news about Belgium and Brussels' for English-speaking residents. It also comes with a list of the TV-programs on the Brussels cable network.

TELEVISION

Almost everybody has cable TV in Brussels. Through cable you get about 40 different channels. Among these channels are : 6 Belgian Flemish, 5 Belgian French, 2 local Brussels channels (Dutch/French), 2 German, 3 Dutch (Holland), BBC1, BBC2, 6 French (France), Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Greek, Moroccan, Turkish television, CNN, NBC, Euronews, and others.

If your hotel has satellites antennas you will probably get more channels.