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- 2015-11-18 19:01:35
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[caption id="attachment_29791" align="aligncenter" width="3264"]
Streets of Brussels. Mariia Altergot for AUBG Daily.[/caption]
This fall break I had the opportunity to visit the “capital of Europe” - Brussels – as a part of the European Lobbying class. During the four days there, we attended multiple meetings and lectures in the European institutions, interest groups and lobbying organizations. What made our memories, however, was the city we experienced outside the lecture rooms.
[caption id="attachment_29781" align="aligncenter" width="715"]
Business offices in the European Quarter. Mariia Altergot for AUBG Daily.[/caption]
The European quarter – a part of the city center gathering the bodies of EU and various lobbying and business organizations – was where most of our meetings took place. Just being there makes one feel the significance of Brussels' role in the European Union. Rows of monolithic buildings, towering above the streets where people in business suits scurry to and fro, impress with their hugeness. Standing at the foot of these giants of steel and glass, protected from all sides by security guards, makes you feel like a tiny, insignificant speck - which is, actually, not the most "democratic" feeling in the world. The Berlaymont building (the headquarter of the European Commission) and the complex of the European Parliament seem especially grandiose in their vastness. In fact, the Berlaymont is often called "Berlaymonster" because of its enormous facade.
[caption id="attachment_29782" align="aligncenter" width="633"]
The Berlaymont building - European Commission. Mariia Altergot for AUBG Daily.[/caption]
One more prominent thing about the European Quarter was the massive reconstruction site of the Schuman metro station, located right under the windows of the EU institutions buildings. The renovation has been under process for several years now and the station still seems to be quite far from completion. However, I looked upwards for the most part and did not pay too much attention to minor inconveniences like bulldozers digging their way through the middle of the street.
[caption id="attachment_29796" align="aligncenter" width="742"]
The Atomium. Mariia Altergot for AUBG Daily.[/caption]
The other place in Brussels that impressed me was the Atomium – a futuristic monument built for the 1958 World Fair - the first after WWII. Having a shape of enlarged iron crystal, it symbolizes the peaceful use of atomic energy for the good of all people. The Atomium allows visitors inside five of its spheres. We first got to the highest level and enjoyed the city panorama. It was pretty nice, but the real pleasure from being at the Atomium came to me later - when we were visiting the other spheres. Between them, we traveled by escalators, located in the connecting tubes. I should say, these were the most entertaining elevator rides I have ever taken: the tubes are equipped with portholes, illumination, and music. The spheres themselves are an exhibition of various posters, plans, and models of last century's architecture. This atmosphere makes you feel like a time-traveler. I could really experience this era's spirit. If you'd like to see what the XX century's version of the future is from the inside, this place is a #1 must-see in Brussels.
[caption id="attachment_29792" align="aligncenter" width="750"]
Inside the Atomium. Mariia Altergot for AUBG Daily.[/caption]
As for the city in general, one of the earliest impressions I got from Brussels was the surprising mix of old and modern architecture. On our way from the airport, we were driving along narrow streets framed by tiny houses, tightly squeezed together, for a while. Then, with a single turn around the corner, we were suddenly surrounded by huge business offices made of glass. What was more surprising, however, is that this mix did not seem particularly mismatched. On the contrary, the old-fashioned triangle-roofed houses seemed pretty organic in gaps between the ultramodern office buildings.
Brussels is definitely a very diverse city. It takes different shapes and speaks many languages. It is busy, noisy, expensive, and not too clean in spots. However, it is also beautiful, vibrant, and unique. It can be serious and official, bright and festive, romantic and old-fashioned, or youthful and urban. Brussels is so multifaceted, and every time you see a new side of it, it surprises you. I visited Brussels several years ago, but I do not remember much from then except the Grand Place, Mannequin Pis, and chocolate in bright shop windows. This time, I saw a completely different Brussels. Some things, however, still felt as great as the first time. For example, chocolate.
Streets of Brussels. Mariia Altergot for AUBG Daily.[/caption]
This fall break I had the opportunity to visit the “capital of Europe” - Brussels – as a part of the European Lobbying class. During the four days there, we attended multiple meetings and lectures in the European institutions, interest groups and lobbying organizations. What made our memories, however, was the city we experienced outside the lecture rooms.
[caption id="attachment_29781" align="aligncenter" width="715"] Business offices in the European Quarter. Mariia Altergot for AUBG Daily.[/caption]
The European quarter – a part of the city center gathering the bodies of EU and various lobbying and business organizations – was where most of our meetings took place. Just being there makes one feel the significance of Brussels' role in the European Union. Rows of monolithic buildings, towering above the streets where people in business suits scurry to and fro, impress with their hugeness. Standing at the foot of these giants of steel and glass, protected from all sides by security guards, makes you feel like a tiny, insignificant speck - which is, actually, not the most "democratic" feeling in the world. The Berlaymont building (the headquarter of the European Commission) and the complex of the European Parliament seem especially grandiose in their vastness. In fact, the Berlaymont is often called "Berlaymonster" because of its enormous facade.
[caption id="attachment_29782" align="aligncenter" width="633"] The Berlaymont building - European Commission. Mariia Altergot for AUBG Daily.[/caption]
One more prominent thing about the European Quarter was the massive reconstruction site of the Schuman metro station, located right under the windows of the EU institutions buildings. The renovation has been under process for several years now and the station still seems to be quite far from completion. However, I looked upwards for the most part and did not pay too much attention to minor inconveniences like bulldozers digging their way through the middle of the street.
[caption id="attachment_29796" align="aligncenter" width="742"] The Atomium. Mariia Altergot for AUBG Daily.[/caption]
The other place in Brussels that impressed me was the Atomium – a futuristic monument built for the 1958 World Fair - the first after WWII. Having a shape of enlarged iron crystal, it symbolizes the peaceful use of atomic energy for the good of all people. The Atomium allows visitors inside five of its spheres. We first got to the highest level and enjoyed the city panorama. It was pretty nice, but the real pleasure from being at the Atomium came to me later - when we were visiting the other spheres. Between them, we traveled by escalators, located in the connecting tubes. I should say, these were the most entertaining elevator rides I have ever taken: the tubes are equipped with portholes, illumination, and music. The spheres themselves are an exhibition of various posters, plans, and models of last century's architecture. This atmosphere makes you feel like a time-traveler. I could really experience this era's spirit. If you'd like to see what the XX century's version of the future is from the inside, this place is a #1 must-see in Brussels.
[caption id="attachment_29792" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Inside the Atomium. Mariia Altergot for AUBG Daily.[/caption]
As for the city in general, one of the earliest impressions I got from Brussels was the surprising mix of old and modern architecture. On our way from the airport, we were driving along narrow streets framed by tiny houses, tightly squeezed together, for a while. Then, with a single turn around the corner, we were suddenly surrounded by huge business offices made of glass. What was more surprising, however, is that this mix did not seem particularly mismatched. On the contrary, the old-fashioned triangle-roofed houses seemed pretty organic in gaps between the ultramodern office buildings.
Brussels is definitely a very diverse city. It takes different shapes and speaks many languages. It is busy, noisy, expensive, and not too clean in spots. However, it is also beautiful, vibrant, and unique. It can be serious and official, bright and festive, romantic and old-fashioned, or youthful and urban. Brussels is so multifaceted, and every time you see a new side of it, it surprises you. I visited Brussels several years ago, but I do not remember much from then except the Grand Place, Mannequin Pis, and chocolate in bright shop windows. This time, I saw a completely different Brussels. Some things, however, still felt as great as the first time. For example, chocolate.