Belgian culture — crossroads of Latin, Germanic and Anglo-Saxon influences. Chocolate, beer, fries, surrealism, comics.
Three Language Zones
Flanders (Dutch, 60%), Wallonia (French, 40%), Brussels (bilingual), East Cantons (German, <1%). Magritte painted in French, Hugo Claus wrote in Dutch. Diverse cultural identities in one small country.
Painting — World Class
Jan van Eyck (15th c., Ghent Altarpiece) — father of oil painting. Pieter Bruegel (Peasant Wedding, Hunters in the Snow). Peter Paul Rubens — baroque, atelier in Antwerp. James Ensor (Masks). René Magritte — surrealism (This is not a pipe).
Comics — 9th Art
Belgium — most comic authors in the world. Hergé (Tintin 1929) — 250 million albums sold worldwide in 80 languages. André Franquin (Spirou), Peyo (Smurfs 1958). Brussels — comic murals throughout the city.
Architecture
Grand Place Brussels (UNESCO) — one of most beautiful squares in Europe. Belfries of Flanders UNESCO. Beguinages UNESCO. Art Nouveau Victor Horta (Hôtel Tassel UNESCO). Atomium (1958) — Brussels symbol.
Chocolate and Beer
Belgium — chocolate capital. Neuhaus (1912) — inventor of praline. Godiva, Côte d Or, Leonidas — global brands. 1500+ beers — Trappists (Westvleteren, Chimay), lambics, wheat beer (Hoegaarden). Fries — Belgian, NOT French.
Modern Culture
Festival of Flanders, Tomorrowland (largest dance festival in the world), Couleur Café Brussels. Films: Dardenne Brothers (two Cannes Palms). Eddy Merckx — most race wins in history. Jacques Brel — chansonnier.