The Euro Bubble

Last week (on Facebook) I pasted a link to a series of short vids about living in what is known in Brussels as 'the Bubble'. It's the European space in Brussels which very rarely touches on the real lives of real Bruxellois(es) (I have yet to meet one! My Belgian friends here are all 'blow-ins - to use an Irish phrase- from Flanders or Wallonia). I highly recommend watching this set of videos if you want an insight into the lives of all the bright young things who come to Brussels intent on carving out a career for themselves and/or making the world a better place.

Last week I read an absolutely great novel (well 4 out of 5 stars), Expo 58 by Jonathon Coe. For those not 'in the loop' Expo 58 was the first world fair after the Second World War and has left a permanent, iconic (and actually very impressive), landmark on the Brussels landscape. It is also my year of birth. It is a novel with touches of espionage, romantic intrigue and a disdain for British parochialism. One thing I learnt from it is that the Bubble is nothing new. Its been around for 50+ years. As one of the characters in the books says 'those bloody Belgians'; by being humble, taking a back seat, offering space (physical and otherwise) they have become the diplomats and perhaps the crossroads of Europe. When I lived in the NL people often talked of the polder model as if it were something distinctly Dutch. I think the Belgians have got it down to a fine art.