What’s on this week: 29 March to 4 April

Get to know one of Belgium’s biggest artists at Wim Delvoye, a retrospective of featuring 70 works by a man for whom the word ‘quirky’ would be an understatement. From his Cloaca machine, which literally manufactures poop, to his upholstered pigs and x-rays of lovemaking couples, Delvoye has been delighting and disturbing the art community for more than two decades. Fifteen pieces here are new, including reliefs based on video games as well as twisted sculptures (in every sense of the word) interacting with the museum pieces on which they are based. Until 21 July, Royal Museums of Fine Arts, Rue de la Régence 3

Korean Film Fridays at the Korean Cultural Centre features The Seeds of Violence this week, filmmaker Taegue Lim’s study of systematic abuse at the heart of South Korea’s mandatory military service. The centre doesn’t publish the film programme much in advance, but it’s usually a solid choice, it’s free, and the subtitles are always in English. Reservation required. 29 March 19.30, Rue de la Régence 4

Regular Bulletin readers will be aware that 2019 is Bruegel Year, in commemoration of the 450th anniversary of the death of one of the greatest artists in the history of the Low Countries. Get your kids six years and older acquainted with Pieter Bruegel the Elder at Bozar’s Family Day in the Time of Bruegel, where tours of the two related exhibitions are jovially embellished, everyone learns to make a 16th-century hat, costumes are donned for dancing and so, so much more. 31 March 10.00-17.00, Bozar, Rue Ravenstein 23

Vessel is part dance, part sculpture. Human bodies are contorted into forms that resemble something else entirely, inspired by Belgian dancer and choreographer Damien Jalet’s research into Japanese spiritual traditions and the work of sculptor Kohei Nawa. The soundscape was produced by Japanese composers as well. 2-3 April 20.00, La Monnaie, Place de la Monnaie 5

The Horta Museum, located in Victor Horta’s former home, is celebrating a triple anniversary – 100 years since Horta sold the house, 50 years since the museum opened and 30 years since its massive renovation. That calls for three related exhibitions, one in each of the its spaces, a first for the museum. Collector Collection focuses on Victor Horta’s personal collection of art and furniture, much of it never on public view before. Until 30 June, Rue Américaine 27 (Saint-Gilles)

Wine tastings are a dime a dozen, but Champagne Experience ups the ante with only bubbly from France’s famous region on offer. Sample several while lending an ear to speakers and taking part in workshops on pairing the elegant elixir with cheese or chocolate. 31 March 10.00-17.00, Atomium, Place de l’Atomium 1

What’s big enough to hold all of Brussels kids? The Abbattoir of Anderlecht, of course, where they gather on Wednesday afternoons from April through October for Ketmet. The lovely people of Cultureghem load the covered outdoor space with games, sports gear, art supplies and musical instruments. Check out the Cookie Box, Boxing Box or the famous PlayBoxes, depending on your kid’s mood. It’s the playground of your dreams, and it’s all free. There’s also a cheap, healthy lunch on offer, made from the Abattoir market’s surplus produce. The kick-off on 3 April includes live music and visiting artists. 3 April then every Wednesday, lunch 12.00-14.00, Ketmet 13.00-16.00

One good thing to come out of Brexit is a renewed interest in and appreciation of the European Union. Dutch historian Luuk Van Middelaar’s talk ‘Improvising Politics on the European Stage’ looks at how the institution has had to adapt and evolve in the face of crisis after crisis. This evening salon is hosted by the Full Circle international club, but non-members can attend. Food and drink included. (In English) 2 April 18.30-20.30, Full Circle House, Chaussée de Vleurgat 89 (Ixelles)

The Waterstone’s Book Club takes place monthly at Muntpunt, and this week they’re discussing Silence is My Mother Tongue by Brussels-based author Sulaiman Addonia. Check the schedule for future selections. (In English, reserve in advance) 3 April, Muntpunt, Place de la Monnaie 6 18.45-20.30

Looking ahead: Tickets are flying out the door for an evening with Dara Ó Briain, one of the UK and Ireland’s most famous faces and one of the world’s most popular stand-ups. His new tour, Voice of Reason, is as sharp and funny as the others; expect a little self-deprecation, a lament of new technologies and a bit of fake news. 23 May 20.00, Cirque Royal, Rue de l’Enseignement 81, Brussels; 22 May 20.00, Stadsschouwburg, Nieuwstad 1, Antwerp

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

Treignes is not only an adorable village, it’s home to four museums, giving it the highest museum to population ratio in the country. There’s no better time to discover them than this weekend, when Espace Arthur Masson – a former schoolhouse – celebrates its 20th anniversary with The School of Yesteryear Festival. Travel back through time to see how crafts were made, kids taught and fairs enjoyed in the 1930s. 30-31 March, Espace Arthur Masson, Rue E Defraire 29, Treignes (Viroinval)

Royal Ballet Flanders promises you’ll be dancing yourself right out of the theatre after witnessing the unadulterated joy that is, well, Joy. A spring double bill that appropriately bursts with a lust for life, Joy is made up of the piece by the same name by Swedish choreographer Alexander Ekman and B.R.I.S.A. by his compatriot Johan Inger. The first is an experiment in bringing happiness to the surface through movement, while the latter looks at how the biggest changes can be created by the smallest wind – or brisa in Spanish. Warning: Tickets are going fast. 29-31 March, Opera Antwerp; 12-18 April, Opera Gent

Photos: Delvoye courtesy RMFAB, Vessel/©Yoshikazu Inoue, Ketmet courtesy Cultureghem/Facebook