The National Basilica of the Sacred Heart played a central role in Brussels’ year of Art Deco. Thanks to a broad partnership of museums, cultural organisations, municipalities, and heritage associations, this iconic monument in the north-west of the city hosted exhibitions, a national symposium, film screenings, and themed walks. Efforts from local cultural services and heritage groups ensured that lovers of architecture and design could enjoy a full year of festivities celebrating Brussels’ rich Art Deco heritage.
Partners included:
Brussels Best Co-creation Award
Basiliek Art Deco 2025 Basilique
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Atelier Brunswyck/Wathelet, Belgian Chocolate Village, MMRK, municipalities of Ganshoren and Koekelberg.
Brussels 2025 – Year of Art Deco
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In 2025, Brussels celebrated Art Deco with an extensive programme. More than twenty exhibitions highlighted architecture, interior design, design and social trends from the 1920s and 1930s. Locations that are normally closed to the public and private homes were opened up. Guided tours, walks, conferences and festivals made heritage visible and accessible to a wide international audience.
Partners included:
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Art & History Museum, Arau, Arkadia, Artonov, Atelier Brunswyck/Wathelet, BELvue Museum, Bibliothèque Sésame, BOZAR, Brussels Art Déco Society, Bruxelles Bavard, Centre Marinus, CIVA, Design Museum, Explore Brussels, Fondation Majerus, Fondation Madeleine 7, Horta Museum, Korei, Maison Autrique, Maison van Buuren, Municipalities of Forest, Ganshoren, Ixelles and Schaerbeek, Museum of Modern Religious Art, Patrimoine & Culture (Halles Saint-Géry and LAB·AN), Pro Velo, Train World, Villa Empain, visit.brussels, Wittockiana.
Come As You Are by Laetitia Bica
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For Come As You Are, photographer Laetitia Bica transformed MAD Brussels into a colourful, intimate studio for a month. She photographed dancers, drag artists, DJs and actors wearing creations by Belgian and Brussels designers. Drag Couenne, Naomi Waku and Daphne Agten, among others, appeared in designs by Flora Miranda, Igor Dieryck and Tom Van Der Borght. The exhibition brought together fashion, art and performance and showed how MAD Brussels, as a creative hub, fosters new collaborations.
Partners included:
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Ateliers Indigo, Bye Bye Binary
Raising our roots – Bruxelles à travers onze ogen
Fifteen young people from various Brussels neighbourhoods formed a new collective for this project by the House of European History. For a year, under the name “Echoes”, they collected untold stories. They investigated who in history is given a voice, who is not and why this is still relevant to young people today. Through video, sound and photos, the exhibition transports you to the metro stations, parks, squares and living rooms of various neighbourhoods. The testimonies show the everyday reality of migration, identity and growing up in Brussels.
Partners included:
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BNA-BBOT, Firstwaves archives, Gökhan Kizilbuga, GSARA, Joachim Ben Yakoub, La Forestière, Mustafa Bentaleb, Naomi Aguilera, Nos Héritages, Oiseaux Sans Tête, Sarra El Massaoudi.
"Working in Brussels" connects Brussels employers with Flemish and Brussels talent
In 2025, some of the largest employers in the region joined forces to attract new talent. Their starting point was a study into the perception of Brussels as a place to work. The partners produced a video together and launched a twelve-week media campaign. Each company tackled a persistent prejudice while showcasing its own strengths. This put Brussels in a positive and recognisable spotlight.
Partners included:
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STIB-MIVB, JOBAT, KBC Brussels
Brussels Treasure Award
Brussels Coffee Tours
Brussels Coffee Tours offer a glimpse of the city with coffee as the guiding theme. In 2025, OK Coffee Studio expanded its field of activity from specialty coffee bars to restaurants, hotels, bakeries, wine bars and co-working spaces. Participants sample espresso, filter coffee and Brussels delicacies, accompanied by stories about recipes and food cultures. The tours are a cultural and taste-oriented exploration of Brussels and its gastronomic heritage.
Brussel, la Congolaise
The MMM dedicated its annual feature exhibition in 2025 to the Congolese community in Brussels. Bruxelles, la Congolaise brought together photographs, works of art, testimonies and music to showcase the rich presence and diversity of Congolese migrants. The exhibition illustrated how the community plays an important role in the development of the region's multilingual and multicultural identity.
Frietmuseum
After chocolate and beer, another Belgian icon has finally earned its own dedicated museum: the Frietmuseum Brussels. In the historic rue de l'Etuve, visitors can discover the history, traditions and techniques behind Belgian chips through interactive installations and fun activities. The visit ends, of course, with a tasting session. It's a new museum that showcases Brussels' culinary identity in a delicious way.
Maison Gertrude, an arts centre in a care home
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Theatre director Mohamed El Khatib transformed Maison Gertrude in the Marolles district into a vibrant arts centre. Twelve artists drew inspiration from conversations with residents to create photographs, texts, videos, drawings, collages and performances that focus on the poetry, vulnerability and humour of ageing. During guided tours, residents, staff and the Théâtre National guide visitors through a project that combines care and culture in a unique way.
Maison Vincent, 120 years of history and taste
Maison Vincent, located in the historic Ilôt Sacré quarter, is a beloved classic. For 120 years, the restaurant has been serving Belgian cuisine in a setting brimming with character. The famous ceramic fishing scene is a landmark. This major anniversary year was marked by two special events: an open day with prices in Belgian francs and a Belle Époque evening that brought the atmosphere of 1905 back to life. A tribute to tradition, craftsmanship and Brussels food culture.
Brussels International Icon Award
17th World Congress on Art Deco® - Post Congress in Brussels
As part of Brussels’ 2025 Year of Art Deco, the Brussels Art Deco Society organised an extensive programme around the 17th edition of the World Congress on Art Deco®. Brussels welcomed 120 international participants for a three-day post-congress event featuring guided tours of restored interiors, iconic private homes, museums and walks through historic districts. The programme concluded with a gala at Villa Empain and further strengthened international networks surrounding the architectural movement.
Decorative Arts of the 19th Century – Belgian Art Nouveau and Art Deco
In 2025, the Art & History Museum opened two new rooms dedicated to Belgian decorative arts. 19th century, Art Nouveau and Art Deco masterpieces by Henry van de Velde, Paul Hankar, Serrurier-Bovy and Philippe and Marcel Wolfers are showcased across 1,200m². The restored winter garden by Victor Horta forms the central showpiece. The understated scenography aligns perfectly with the historic architecture, allowing the collection to stand out and be fully appreciated.
Poland in Mini-Europe
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In 2025, Mini-Europe added a new international dimension to its offer with the inclusion of two Polish monuments: Łazienki Palace and the Chopin Monument from Warsaw. With over 350 miniatures, the park today reflects the continent’s rich cultural and architectural diversity. The new installations are the result of two years of meticulous research and craftsmanship, receiving extensive coverage in the Polish press. This has further strengthened Mini-Europe’s reputation as a permanent fixture in Brussels.
The Standard Brussels
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The Standard Brussels opened in early 2025 in the city’s Northern district and was the international hotel brand’s first Belgian branch. The hotel offers 200 rooms, a lobby restaurant and a bar. Not to mention its rooftop terrace, complete with a garden and restaurant on the 29th floor, offering panoramic views of the city. The interior, designed by Brussels architect Bernard Dubois, seamlessly fits the contemporary atmosphere of the ZIN project in the former WTC towers. The hotel serves as a new urban hub in a rapidly evolving district.
Viage, Brussels by Heart
In 2025, Viage celebrated its 15th anniversary. The casino on boulevard Anspach opened its doors to a wide range of Brussels talent. Over 86 artists, craftspeople and partners exhibited their work. Saskia Shutt Jewelry created a silver brooch for employees and Ryck Wane designed a graffiti skateboard. The anniversary show brought together music, dance, design and gastronomy. The project strengthened local networks and showcased Brussels creativity and craftsmanship.
Brussels Best Smart Experience Award
Brusselscity.AccessAll.be
BrusselsCity.AccessAll maps Brussels' accessibility. Using an interactive map, users can find accessible buildings, car parks and facilities, including adapted routes for wheelchair users and the visually impaired. Users can add their own reviews and contribute to the database. Through technology and citizen participation, the project supports an inclusive, welcoming and sustainable Brussels.
FARI – AI for the Common Good Institute Brussels
© Thierry Geenen
FARI, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Université Libre de Bruxelles
Since 1 January 2025
In 2025, FARI expanded its testing and experience centre. The CAVE (Computer Augmented Virtual Environment) is an immersive 3D environment for citizens, researchers and urban planners. The technology makes virtual objects and data tangible through collective 360° immersion, scientific visualisations and interactive workshops. This allows the institute to explore concrete applications of ethical and sustainable AI and position Brussels as a laboratory for inclusive, innovative and social digital experiences.
Share & Fun
Share & Fun launched an all-in-one bar, restaurant and collective play in 2025. The space operates on a fully digital system. QR orders and cashless payments automatically send tickets to the kitchen and bar. Interactive games such as darts, mini golf and slot machines automatically record scores and gamify loyalty. App-driven planning and data-driven processes make service faster, more fun and more efficient, with less waste and a more sustainable experience.