What’s on this week: 10 to 16 January

Brussels Motor Show returns for its 101st edition after a one-year absence. The salon at Brussels Expo showcases 63 car brands and light commercial vehicle manufacturers, as well as new trends and technology in the automobile sector. Even if you’re not looking to purchase new wheels, the 45 dream and sports cars plus two Formula 1 cars on display will provide some head-turning entertainment. 10-19 January, Place de la Belgique (Laeken)

The 10th edition of Brussels Jazz Festival at Flagey is underway to the delight of jazz cats in town. In addition to a clutch of international artists, the festival spotlights Belgian talents, including ones of the most creative voices in contemporary jazz, pianist Bram De Looze (pictured with Korean musician DoYeon Kim). As the artist-in-residence, he showcases three unique projects, bringing together an ensemble of exceptional musicians, including drummers Eric McPherson and Joey Baron. Until 18 January, Place Sainte-Croix (Ixelles)

Vendôme’s long-running programme Samedis du Cinema offers perfect escapism for all the family. The animation Robot Dream by Pablo Berger (Sp/Fr 2023) is destined for children aged six and up, while there’s a simultaneous screening of Le Deuxème Acte by Quentin Dupieux (Fr 2024) for teens and adults. Tickets €2.50 per person. 11 January 10.30 (access from 10.00), Chaussée de Wavre 18 (Ixelles)

Discover more about Johannes Brahms’ virtuoso talent at a festival devoted to the innovative German conductor and pianist at Bozar. While history has rewarded him with a romanticised reputation, this four-day event will reveal unknown facets to Brahms’ oeuvre. On the programme are the Belgian National Orchestra performing his Second Piano Concerto with pianist Alexandre Kantorow (pictured), the Leonkoro and Simply quartets playing a selection of chamber music, and the Liège Royal Philharmonic Orchestra delivering his Third Symphony. 16-19 January, Rue Ravenstein 23

English Comedy Brussels presents Simon O’Keefe & Edo Berger for its first stand-up evening of the year. Irish comic O’Keefe has headlined shows around the world while juggling a career as a successful writer for fellow comedians and sitcoms. He’s joined at The Black Sheep by Amsterdam funny man Berger, who won several Dutch comedy festivals before expanding his repertoire to perform in English. For info, the pub is a cash-only venue.  15 January 20.00 (doors open 19.00), Chaussée de Boondael 8 (Ixelles)

Egypt at the End of the New Kingdom is the International Study Group’s latest talk, presented by Simone Burger Robin, exploring a ‘heroic’ period in ancient Egyptian history. The US-French Egyptologist tackles the question of how historians, art historians and archaeologists track data that reveals the decline and decay of a once-flourishing empire. Guests welcome to the ISG event; €10 fee payable upon entry (includes coffee). 13 January 10.00, Chateau Malou, Allee Pierre Levie 2 (Woluwe-Saint-Lambert)

The Arts Society Brussels is hosting a talk on Artistic Patronage in the Reign of the Archdukes Albert and Isabelle. University of Antwerp professor Luc Duerloo explains how the first quarter of the 17th century witnessed an explosion of artistic talent in the Hapsburg Netherlands. Rubens, Van Dyck and Jordaens were among artists of note. Guests welcome at the event. 15 January 20.00 (welcome drinks 19.30), Maison Communale conference room, Avenue Paul Hymans 2 (Woluwe-Saint-Lambert)

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

The ruins of Villers Abbey are perfect for a walk, all-year-round. This winter, the former Cistercian abbey serves as more than a backdrop for the group show Le Langage du silence. The 21 installations – all forged in metal – play with colour and texture in a dialogue with the ancient stones. The sculptures, by a total of 10 artists (including Louise Brodsky’s ‘L’attrape-rêves, pictured), form an interesting route around the various spaces of the abbey, from its gardens to the living quarters once inhabited by monks. Until 20 April, Rue de l’Abbaye 55, Villers-la-Ville (Brabant Walloon)

It’s Belgium’s most famous cartoon character Tintin’s birthday. To mark the occasion, the Hergé Museum in Louvain-la-Neuve is staging a new exhibition In China with Tintin as well the release of an album in colour version. The temporary show on the theme of The Blue Lotus, Hergés fifth album. It was in 1934 that Hergé first met the student Chang-Chong-chen in Brussels and was inspired to create fluid lines via a Chinese ink paintbrush. Note: There’s free admission for all visitors dressed in The Blue Lotus themed costumes from 10 to 12 January. From 10 January, Rue du Labrador 26, Louvain-la-Neuve

Ties Poeth: The Magic of Shadow and Nature shows a recent series of work by the Belgian animation filmmaker and furniture designer. His graphic prints and shadow plays, cut out of black paper, were all inspired by natural history museums – which makes the Zoology Museum the perfect venueto host it. Organised by KULeuven, this is a rare occasion to discover the singular oeuvre of a highly-versatile artist. Until 16 February, Monday to Friday, Charles Deberiotstraat 40, Leuven

Multidisciplinary musician Mati La Dee presents her new album in the concert Bipolar Bows + The Broken Heart of Mati La Dee at Bruges’ Brugotta Club. This is a highly personal outpouring of loss and sadness, but also resilience and love by the agender artist. Drawing on influences from the Balkans and the Appalachians, it’s a fusion of folk, classic, jazz, blues and funk.  String duo.16 January 20.15, Magdalenastraat 27, Bruges

Discover more upcoming events at The Bulletin's events page and check our guide to winter holiday exhibitions.

Photos: Egypt talk, image by Jasmine Qasem via Pexels; BNO pianist Alexandre Kantorow @ Sasha Gusov; Tintin et Tchang © Hergé/Tintinimaginatio 2024