Ibiza: Belgian festival jet set
It is the most extravagant event in the lot. On July 21, the very chic Hotel Oku Ibiza turns into a Belgian pavilion like Club 55. On the program: a rain of starred chefs (we still speak of Sergio Herman, Wout Bru, Glenn Verhasselt, Jan Tournier, Peppe Giocomazza or even Alex Verhoeven) who revisit the great classics of our national gastronomy under the palm trees. Suffice to say that we are far from the cans-lapin of the local chiteries. Add to that a DJS line-up, a very “aperitif that skids” and a 100% Belgian audience on the squirt, and you get the most bling and assumed evening on July 21.
Or ? Oku Ibiza. Camí de Portitxol, 2, 07820 Sant Antoni de Portmany
When ? Monday July 21 from 6 p.m.
okuhotels.com
Lille: Belgium without changing time zone
40 minutes by train from Brussels, Lille unrolls the red carpet with northern expatches (and at the cross -border workers not really ready to cut the cord). For three days, from July 19 to 21, the operation “Life is Belgian in Lille” seizes the city center with windows in black-yellow-red colors, special promotions among the merchants and facades of the Grand’Place Illuminated like the national flag. All without falling into folklore fair. Bonus: discounts to discover the city in 2CV flocked with fries and beers. Kitsch but not too much, and frankly fun.
Or ? Throughout the city center of Lille
When ? From Saturday 19 to Monday July 21
The Facebook page of the event
Avignon: stand-up and surrealism
Every Monday in July, a handful of Belgian humorists takes up residence at the Festival Off d’Avignon, in a collective show called “Les Belges en Liberté”. On July 21, there will be Greg Genart, Edgar Kosma and Delphine Bougard, in a stand-up mixture, absurd, visual or musical humor. Nothing official, nothing diplomatic: just a scene, valves and an accent that we recognize among a thousand. A good way to celebrate the national holiday in self -mockery mode, without flag but with a lot of mind.
Or ? Epicène theater. 5 rue Ninon Vallin, 84000 Avignon
When ? Monday July 21 at 2:15 p.m.
episcene.be
Berlin: Belgian beer, state religion (at least a week)
In Australia, we celebrate Belgium as it should be: by devoting an entire week of wild fermentation to it from July 21 to 27, at Saccharomyces Beer Café. The kick-off is given on the 21st with a card of ultra-carnated Belgian specialties (Waterzoo-Style Schnitzel, Flemish carbonnade, rabbit Sauce Gueuze …) and a selection of legendary pressure beers: Chimay, Rodenbach, season Dupont, Gulden Draak … and this is only the beginning. Vertical tastings (including a extremely rare Saint-Bernardus ABT 12 2014-2024), Belgian Christmas dinners in July, Trappist beer orgy and even a “Tis The season” session dedicated to the most funky ales. All without chauvinism, but with a serious sense of party.
Or ? Fish Ln, South Brisbane QLD 4101, Australie
When ? From Monday, 21 to Sunday 27 July 27
craftypint.com
Saint-Raphaël: a national holiday on the Côte d’Azur
Gilles de Binche who parade by the sea, a tribute concert to Jacques Brel, a fireworks display above the waves, DJ sets and an outdoor movie with nothing to declare in projection: no, you are not in a Belgian dream under MDMA, but in Saint-Raphaël, in the Var. From July 19 to 22, the city famous with great fanfare its twinning with Woluwe-Saint-Pierre. It’s popular, good -natured, a bit kitsch and totally generous. A July 21 as at home, but with a view of the palm trees.
Or ? Bonaparte garden. 10 quai Albert 1er, 83700 Saint-Raphaël
When ? From Saturday 19 to Tuesday 22 from 6 p.m.
ville-saintraphael.fr