Johannes Vermeer was everything but impulsive. The lab research that preceded the unique Vermeer exhibition at the Rijksmuseum, shows that the artist constantly adjusted his compositions during the painting process. 

‘Triptych of the Last Supper’ by Dieric Bouts is one of the hundred masterpieces of early modern Dutch and Flemish art in the CODART Canon.

Belgian singer, songwriter and producer Stromae expresses and depicts the diversity of Belgian society through the collision of his Belgian-ness and Brussels patriotism with a multitude of diverse perspectives.

The Belgian capital marked a turning point in the German philosopher's life. It was there Marx worked with his close friend Friedrich Engels on his Communist Manifesto.

In history, Dutch windmills are often a symbol of freedom, loyalty to the fatherland and pride in the past. Lugard Mutsaers describes how a useful tool became a national icon.

At Kazerne Dossin in Mechelen, an exhibition highlighted the precarious situation of gays and lesbians in Nazi Germany and the occupied countries of France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Postcolonial Mirror and New Colonial Reading List are new important books on Dutch East Indies literature. Both editions aim at a complete revision of the existing image.

Is it a good thing that the Dutch and Flemish crack open a huge number of English books every year? Or will this trend spell disaster for Dutch publishers, authors and translators?

Every month, a translator of Dutch into English gives literary tips based on two questions: which translated book by a Flemish or Dutch author should everyone read? And, which book absolutely deserves an English translation?

Linguist and Professor of Dutch, Marc van Oostendorp, debunks the consensus that Dutch would be a pluricentric language.

Dairy cows are not merely suppliers of dairy products to supermarkets; they are social beings that communicate with each other and with humans.

Gender-inclusive language is not a new phenomenon, but an additional layer has recently been added. Where do we stand today in 2023?

On a visit to the Flemish city of Aalst, Derek Blyth discovers a Carnival parade that likes to shock, a priest that took on the factory bosses and a utopian library.

On a visit to the Flemish city of Halle, Derek Blyth discovers a miraculous statue, a forgotten Flemish artist and an intriguing street art trail.

We talk about four major protests that took place in Belgium and the Netherlands, which have helped shape them into the places they are today.

We discover how the Low Countries, after centuries of battling floods, have gradually learnt to treat water as an ally and a part of the cultural identity of its inhabitants.

We discuss how the relationship between humans and animals has helped shape local societies and cultures, and how, we have exterminated some animals and invited others into our homes.