Literature

Hi all! We’ll be discussing *Dom Casmurro* by Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis. New members are welcome to join as well. We’ll be meeting at Wereldcafé.coop, a quiet place run by volunteers with organic food & drinks. Participation fee is €1. See you there, and happy reading! Here's a list of what we've read so far: * *Wuthering Heights* by Emily Brontë (1847) * *Giovanni’s Room* by James Baldwin (1956) * *Klara and the Sun* by Kazuo Ishiguro (2021) * *Sátántangó* by László Krasznahorkai (1985) * *The Great Gatsby* by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925) * *The Master and Margarita* by Mikhail Bulgakov (1940) * *The Odyssey* by Homer (c. 800 BCE) * *Maurice* by E.M. Forster (1914) * *Disgrace* by J.M. Coetzee (1999) * *The Trial* by Franz Kafka (1925) * *Nausea* by Jean-Paul Sartre (1938) * *Thérèse Raquin* by Émile Zola (1867) * *All Quiet on the Western Front* by Erich Maria Remarque (1929) * *Middlemarch* by George Eliot (1872) * *The Sense of an Ending* by Julian Barnes (2011) * *Elective Affinities* by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1809) * *Lolita* by Vladimir Nabokov (1955) * *Gilgamesh* (c. 2100 BCE) * *Mrs. Dalloway* by Virginia Woolf (1925) * *The Magic Mountain* by Thomas Mann (1924) * *Chess* by Stefan Zweig (1942) * *Snow Country* by Yasunari Kawabata (1935) * *The Grapes of Wrath* by John Steinbeck (1939) * *The Blind Owl* by Sadegh Hedayat (1937) * *The Mayor of Casterbridge* by Thomas Hardy (1886) * *Stoner* by John Williams (1965) * *The Remains of the Day* by Kazuo Ishiguro (1989) * *Oeroeg* by Hella S. Haasse (1948) * *Franny and Zooey* by J.D. Salinger (1961) * *The Bell Jar* by Sylvia Plath (1963) * *The Unbearable Lightness of Being* by Milan Kundera (1984) * *Heart of Darkness* by Joseph Conrad (1899)

Let's meet to write! Schedule : 18:00 - 18:30: Arrival & introduction tour. Share briefly with the group your project and the "goal of the day". 18:30 - 20:00 : Let's write! 20:00 : Closing tour. Did you achieve the "goal of the day" ? See you soon !

La idea es quedar y practicar francés y español en Bruselas. Apto para todos los niveles. Groupe pour améliorer l'espagnol et français à Bruxelles. Pour tous les niveaux. Nos juntaremos en el Centro Cultural Metaprosa (Chaussée de Saint Pierre 9, 1040 Etterbeek, Bruselas) para conversar con un café o una cerveza en la mano. Todos los martes de 19.00- 21.30.

***[✨](https://buytickets.at/billykissaimprov/2071050)[Register here](https://buytickets.at/billykissaimprov/2077599)[✨](https://buytickets.at/billykissaimprov/2071050)*** How many break up scenes have we seen? How many have we played? How many of them expressed the importance, the depth, the hurt, the reasons for the break up? Can we capture in an improvised break up scene the connection and journey these people shared until that moment? The answer is yes! How? The answer is in this 7 weeks course (a showcase is included). Using emotional expression, body language, spatial relationships and more we will find ways to break the audiences hearts, or offer hope and relief! Because break-ups are not only an end, but also a beginning! 📅: 31 March - 12 May (a showcase is included) ⏰: 19:00 - 21:30 📍: GC Ten Noey 🪙: 240€ ***[✨](https://buytickets.at/billykissaimprov/2071050)[Register here](https://buytickets.at/billykissaimprov/2077599)[✨](https://buytickets.at/billykissaimprov/2071050)*** **\*\*Meet your instructor:\*\*** Billy Kissa is a professional Greek actress on scripted and unscripted Theatre, based in Brussels. She has been traveling the world performing, directing and teaching adults and kids. She is part of the multilingual show “Babel Games”, one half of the duo show “ECHO” with Raschid Sidgi and she is directing for the second season in Brussels the unscripted play “The Dark Age of Love”. As an instructor as well as a performer, she focuses on simplicity, emotional availability and the full and unconditional support of her students and colleagues. Respecting diversity is important to her, with ultimate purpose, safety, freedom of expression and creativity. Challenging herself is one of her strongest qualities, with the last challenge being her very recent dive into the terrifying world of stand up comedy.

**Cinematek : Battleship Potemkin** 31/03 @ 19h00 Battleship Potemkin is considered one of the greatest films of all time. Russian director Sergei Eisenstein made this film at the request of the Soviet regime to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 1905 Revolution. He chose to centre the action on the mutiny that broke out aboard the Potemkin, the warship of the Imperial Russian Navy. Furious at being fed nothing but rotten food and suffering from the policy of terror of their superiors, the crew launched a full-scale insurrection during which a number of officers were thrown overboard. The mutinous soldiers then decided to set sail for the port city of Odessa... What makes this film unforgettable are Eisenstein's experimental editing techniques and remarkably tight, highly aesthetic cinematography. The staircase scene has become iconic: it shows the massacre of ordinary people, amongst whom a mother walking with her child in a baby carriage, being mercilessly gunned down by the soldiers marching in cadence. [Cinematek](https://cinematek.be/2026-03-31-19-00/bronenosets-potyomkin) [Film Symphonic: a movie classic with a live orchestra - Battleship Potemkin - National Orchestra](https://www.nationalorchestra.be/en/calendar/battleship-potemkin) **For Dreamers, Coffee shots, Orezza, eau de Saint-Georges !**

Would you like to improve your language skills and networking in a casual atmosphere? This event is for you! All languages welcome! Everyone is welcome! The aim is to speak with native/fluent speakers of your target language(s). You'll be around all types of people throughout the whole event. We will be in a private area. A great atmosphere is guaranteed! You'll have to order a drink to attend the event 😀 Don't hesitate to contact us for any further information

Nos juntaremos en el centro cultural Metaprosa para practicar español/ castellano y Neerlandés/Flamenco/Dutch con un café o una cerveza en la mano. Apto para todos los niveles. Dirección: chaussé de Saint Pierre 9, 1040 Etterbeek Hemos creado un grupo de Whastapp en caso de que estéis interesados en comunicaros antes de cada martes ya que somos consciente de que a veces nos hay suficiente gente para practicar neerlandés [https://chat.whatsapp.com/IaESqYfdbGiFVPR5teQkIf](https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/chat.whatsapp.com/IaESqYfdbGiFVPR5teQkIf__;!!DOxrgLBm!DOeGH6jS_pBgwY_CvN1vYuh-JPX71kQpuIJl8WlhFejYKqyHCL0Q3HkfIXxOF7cvSDOpeAeYzr8K_zELLw75wZA7pfw2-jQW7_2x6UaK$) No Spam please!

n onze volgende uitwisseling van 3 april, bespreken we het boek *De diepst verborgen herinnering van de mens* door **Mohamed Mbougar Sarr** en beslissen we welk boek we voor de volgende keer (8 mei) zullen lezen. **Waar?** Oudergemlaan 191, 1040 Etterbeek Op de eerste verdieping **Voor wie?** Iedereen welkom vanaf 16 jaar. **Waar?** We zien elkaar op de 2e verdieping van de Nederlandse bib in Etterbeek, Oudergemselaan 191. Dit is een initiatief van de leerkrachten Nederlands van de [Zonnedauw](https://zonnedauw.org/), middelbare Steinerschool Brussel. **Wanneer?** De volgende data voor de leesclub zijn: 3 april 2026 8 mei 2026 5 juni 2026

El libro de abril es Te di ojos y miraste las tinieblas, de Irene Solà. Escondida entre riscos lejanos, en algún remoto lugar de las Guillerías transitado por cazadores de lobos, bandoleros, emboscados, carlistas, hechiceras, maquis, pilotos de rally, fantasmas, bestias y demonios, la masía Clavell se agarra al suelo como una garrapata. Es una casa, sobre todo, habitada por mujeres, y donde un solo día contiene siglos de recuerdos. Los de Joana, que para encontrar marido hizo un pacto que inauguró una progenie aparentemente maldita. Los de Bernadeta, a quien le faltan las pestañas y, de tanta agua de tomillo que le vertieron en los ojos cuando era una niña, acabó por ver lo que no debía. Los de Margarida, que en vez de un corazón entero tiene uno de tres cuartos, rabioso. O los de Blanca, que nació sin lengua, con la boca como un nido vacío, y no habla, solo observa. Estas mujeres, y más, hoy preparan una fiesta. As usual for the first Saturday group, you may use both English and Spanish during the book discussion; you just need an acceptable level of oral comprehension of both languages to fully enjoy it. Participar cuesta 1€ (para cubrir el coste de la suscripción a MeetUp). Durante la conversación elegiremos el libro para el mes siguiente, podéis proponer cualquier libro que os apetezca leer o discutir. El número de participantes está limitado. Si no podéis participar, por favor, indicadlo actualizando el RSPV en MeetUp.

Let's meet to write ! Schedule : 11:00 - 11:30 am : Presentation tour. Share briefly with the group about your project and your "goal of the day". 11:30 - 13:30 : Let's write ! 13:30 : Conclusion tour. Did you achieve your goal of the day ? See you soon !

Hallo Freunde der deutschen Sprache, wir laden alle, die gern ihr Deutsch üben wollen und in Brüssel geblieben sind, zum nächsten Treffen ein! Bei schönen Wetter sitzen wir im Garten des James Joyce. Falls Ihr angemeldet seid, aber nicht kommen könnt, wären wir dankbar für Eure Abmeldung (WhatsApp - Mike: +32 475 60 88 68). Wir freuen uns auf den Austausch mit Euch!

**Cinematek : L’udienza** 04/04 @ 20h00 **L’udienza: il ciclo di ambiguità del potere - Marco Ferreri** [...] Attraverso una narrazione densamente ripetitiva, giocata su toni e colori caldi e ambigui, distesa in sequenze quasi circolari, Ferreri pone il problema della Chiesa come istituzione cristallizzata, incapace di rivitalizzarsi e di uscire dal suo carattere di ente burocratico e clientelare. E muove una critica pungente ad essa come sistema repressivo, analizzandone il suo potere in disfacimento, ma tuttavia ancora pericoloso. Al di là degli espliciti riferimenti tematici e delle metafore più vistose ed evidenti sul potere ecclesiastico e su quello economico-politico tra cui il film oscilla, è però importante poter rintracciare le tematiche farreriane fondamentali, che costituiscono la linea di continuità con le sue opere precedenti e rafforzano le basi per le successive. Innanzitutto il tema dell'isolamento, che il protagonista vive nei confronti del potere, che non gli permette di esaudire i propri desideri. Poi quelli, fortissimi, del vagabondaggio, dell'esclusione e della morte: la storia di Amedeo non è altro che un lungo viaggio attraverso le strutture del Potere che esclude e uccide, senza pietà. E non ultimo uno dei temi ferreriani per eccellenza, il problematico rapporto uomo-donna, incarnato qui dalla relazione tra il protagonista e la prostituta Aiche, l'unica che si sottragga a questo circolo del potere, l'unico personaggio di tutto il film dotato di una dimensione psicologica a tutto tondo. E' infatti la sola che prova per Amedeo un sentimento "umano", vero, ed è la sola che crede veramente al suo problema spirituale; è un personaggio importante, soprattutto perché rappresenta una visione estremamente moderna della donna e del sesso nei confronti delle aberranti posizioni del potere cattolico e della società italiana del tempo. Tuttavia il mostruoso condizionamento ideologico della fede spinge il protagonista ad allontanarla da lui, nonostante lei abbia nel ventre suo figlio. Ed ecco che, parallelamente alla denuncia degli orrori messi in atto dalle istituzioni sugli individui, Ferreri vuole mettere in guardia quegli stessi individui dai pericoli dell'eccessiva sottomissione dell'uomo all'ideologia. Il carattere di ambiguità della filmografia ferreriana è particolarmente evidente: ogni elemento tematico e passaggio narrativo, ogni componente stilistica è suscettibile di un'interpretazione polivalente. La vicenda narrata dal film funziona, a livello referenziale, come racconto delle disgrazie di un uomo che muore nel tentativo di ottenere un'udienza dal papa, ma è immediatamente leggibile come una situazione di isolamento e di sconfitta nei confronti del Potere. La morte stessa, dunque, assume valore di suicidio e di autodistruzione (come sempre in Ferreri), ma è tuttavia interpretabile anche come omicidio perpetrato tramite le strutture repressive del potere (ecclesiastico e non), che tengono l'uomo lontano dal "Castello" (il Vaticano), protetto da guardie che ne difendono le entrate. Ed è in questo modo che il discorso sul potere ecclesiastico, onnipotente, estraniato dalla realtà, eppure dominante – attraverso mille canali - la realtà politica e sociale dell'Italia, si allarga immediatamente ad un discorso più globale sul Potere, che rende gli individui schiavi, alienati, fino a condurli alla morte. Per finire, possiamo notare come questo lungometraggio rappresenti una sorta di legame tra i precedenti Dillinger è morto (1969) e Il seme dell'uomo (1969), da una parte, e i successivi La cagna (1972) e La grande abbuffata (1973), dall'altra: con L'Udienza Ferreri si libera dall'esigenza di stabilire un rapporto immediato e diretto con il potere e la politicità del suo lavoro. Dopo questo film il cineasta si rinchiuderà in un nichilismo pressoché totale, portando alle estreme conseguenze le tematiche dell'isolamento, dell'autodistruzione e dell'impotenza, elementi che verranno assunti come componenti totalizzanti di una visione del mondo non più libertaria e utopica, aggressiva e scopertamente corrosiva, ma piuttosto come ripiegamento e chiusura del discorso in un cerchio immobile. [Cinematek](https://cinematek.be/2026-04-04-20-00/ludienza) [Effetto Notte, Rivista Di Critica Cinematografica](https://www.effettonotteonline.com/news/indexb900.html?option=com_content&task=view&id=995&Itemid=25) **For Dreamers, Coffee shots, Orezza, eau de Saint-Georges !**

Welcome to our weekly event in the upstairs room of The Sister Café, rue Chair et Pain 3, one block from the Grand Place. Please get there early enough to order your drink at the bar first. Thank you! After introductions we will collect questions from the group participants, choose one by voting then discuss it for an hour. Then most of us stay for drinks and bizarre conversations. Past questions have been wide and not confined to academic philosophy: What is a genuine friend? Is social media turning us into emotional zombies? Do we lose some of the experience of things by defining them? Are we driven by sex? Is loneliness a personal failure? Is morality relative? **Crucially, be kind and respectful and generous** in your disagreements; remember how much you personally enjoy someone else proving you wrong before celebrating your cutting counterexamples.

**Dear Folks,** Bring along any books you’d like to exchange with others!📚 Tell us why you recommend them and help your books find new readers. At the same time, we will share stories and conversations while enjoying **Swedish Fika time**, with tea and snacks served. ☕ 🧁 This event will take place **at a private home**, so the address will only be shared with those who have registered. We look forward to a cozy and inspiring gathering with you. **Contribution to Our Events** Starting this year, we kindly ask participants to contribute in one of the following ways: **€5** per event, or **€40** annual membership fee If you feel like supporting us beyond this, to help people who can’t afford it, you are very welcome to do so 💛 If the contribution is a concern for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly 😉 **These contributions will help us:** * Cover the annual Meetup platform fee * Encourage everyone to respect RSVPs * We will donate 10% collected fees to support Queer oriented organisations in the end of the year. Bank details: Yifei Yang BE12363234512492 Communication: your name+ event/membership **To make sure your spot is reserved, please complete your registration once you sign up.** We will prioritize those who have completed the registration process. Thank you very much for your understanding and cooperation. **Cheers!** 🥂 Brussels Sprouts 🇧🇪🥬💚

Greetings writers! Come down and join your fellow wordsmiths for one hour of uninterrupted writing time in the upper level of the Market District Supermarket in Upper Arlington. The main entrance of the shopping center opens onto stairs/elevator leading up to the 2nd floor cafe section where we will have a table displaying a sign with the Shut Up & Write logo. Writing is largely a solitary craft. Practicing with others in a community setting may be the thing you need to fire your own routine. We’ll meet on Wednesday evenings, starting the clock at 6:30, following a brief period of introductions. This is solid writing time and all inclusive. Any project is acceptable, be it fiction, non -fiction, work or homework assignment. All is welcome and will remain private to you. The market boasts a Starbucks, a full service bar and various affordable food options. Parking is plentiful, free Wifi is provided as well as outlets for charging your devices, though they are somewhat limited, so plan accordingly. Show up as early as you like, or stay late. This group tends to socialize some, both before and after the alloted time, but this is not mandatory to you. Feel free to come and go as you please and late arrivals are welcome. The cafe may be noisy on occasion so headphones/ earbuds are reccommended as you see fit. Please try to RSVP if possible so that we may grab enough seats for all—the venue can be busy at times. Feel free to message me privately wth any questions and/ or concerns you may have. Happy writing!

Join us as we get together for an Arthouse Movie Friday event to see the A24 dark comedy /romance / psychological-thriller, THE DRAMA! The film stars Zendaya and Robert Pattinson as a happily engaged couple whose relationship is challenged when one discovers unsettling truths about the other. Here are details, a trailer and our plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: The film follows a happily engaged couple whose relationship is put to the test when an unexpected turn sends their wedding week off the rails. The film comes from A24, is written/directed by Kristoffer Borgli stars Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Mamoudou Athie, Alana Haim, Hailey Gates and Zoë Winters. QUICK WORD OF WARNING: The film hasn’t screened for critics yet and most of the details are being kept tightly under wraps. But, early buzz (possibly promotional) says the film is a brilliant psychological thriller/romance but also provocative, twisty and some contains occasional uncomfortable viewing! I love the cast and trailer, so look forward to seeing for ourselves! ZENDAYA-PATTINSON TRIFECTA CHALLENGE: Robert Pattinson and Zendaya will star in THREE movies together this year, including THE DRAMA, Christopher Nolan’s THE ODYSSEY this Summer and Denis Villeneuve’s DUNE: PART THREE at Christmas! TRAILER: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zmKcUa4Xxk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zmKcUa4Xxk) PLAN: We’ll plan for 7pm-ish showing and will meet in the lobby area about 30 minutes before showtime! Advance ticket purchase not required for this theater but early arrival is advised. Possibly post-movie get-together at the nearby Rusty Bucket! Complete details will be confirmed/announced as the date gets closer. Take care and look forward to seeing you there, Dan

We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator. Join us on Saturday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking! • What we'll do Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 10AM on Saturday mornings. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. SCHEDULE: 10:00 - SESSION 1: quick intros. 10:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour. 11:10 - chat / take off / keep writing. OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 11A-11:30ish. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. (I’ll be the person with the Shut Up & Write! sign.) If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! • What to bring Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible. See you at The Café on Saturday!

**Our April novel is: *The Hong Kong Widow* by Kristen Loesch** **This month’s novel blends gothic atmosphere with historical fiction and chilling horror, set against the haunting backdrop of China. The book is 368 pages in print and 10 hours and 42 minutes on audiobook.** In 1950s Hong Kong, Mei is a young refugee of the Chinese Communist revolution struggling to put her past in Shanghai behind her. When she receives a shocking invitation—to take part in a competition in one of the city's most notorious haunted houses, pitting six spirit mediums against one another in a series of six séances over six nights, until a single winner emerges—she has every reason to refuse. Except that the hostess, a former Shanghainese silent film star, is none other than the wife of the man who once destroyed Mei’s entire life. It is promised the winner will receive a fortune, but there is only one prize Mei wants: revenge. Decades later, the final night of that competition has become an infamous urban legend: The police were called to the scene of a brutal massacre but found no evidence, dismissing it as a collective hallucination. Mei knows what she saw, but now someone else is convinced they know what she did. She must uncover the truth about the last night she ever spent in that house—even if the ghosts of her past are waiting for her there. . . .

. 🎬 Movie Night You, Me & Tuscany Join us for a cinematic escape to the sun-drenched vineyards and romantic landscapes of Italy as we gather to watch You, Me & Tuscany, the new feel-good romantic comedy starring Halle Bailey and Regé‑Jean Page. Set against the breathtaking beauty of Tuscany, the film follows a spirited young woman whose impulsive decision to stay in a Tuscan villa leads to unexpected adventure, heartfelt moments, and a romance she never saw coming. Expect an evening filled with: 🍿 A beautiful cinematic escape to Italy 🍷 Relaxed social vibes and great conversation ✨ A feel-good romantic story perfect for movie lovers Whether you’re a fan of romantic comedies, stunning travel settings, or simply enjoy experiencing great films with great people, this will be a perfect night to unwind and connect. Come ready to relax, laugh, and be transported to Tuscany for the evening. Follow Black Love & Friends on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/share/17oXQtZz36/) and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/blackloveandfriends?igsh=djVrYnhqeG5nMjBx) to stay connected and be the first to hear about upcoming dimnets, social gatherings, and other exciting member-only events.