A little late to this, but marginally (pretend) annoyed that it's "Global Brooklyn" and not "Global Dalston"!!! I think the two cornered very similar aesthetics at pretty much the same time. Certainly remember walking round Williamsberg c. 2013 and thinking "we have this at home"...
Eoghan, when you speak of Brussels as "a poor, unhappy, provincial city" and of its "imminent collapse", are you being serious? Or is it some sort of zwanze humour?
Bit of both - I think many people feel like this even if it’s not the reality. The city does seem to be in a rough place right now, and you can feel that in the way people talk about it. Having said that, we are apparently the happiest region in Belgium ;).
As for provincial, Brussels may be Belgium’s biggest and best city, but it’s hardly a megalopolis ;)
I think I see what you mean, Eoghan. But having recently moved here from Canada, I find that there's nothing at all provincial about Brussels. Sure, it's not New York or London, but for a city its size, I find it culturally vibrant and alive with a spirit of creativity and constant renewal. From what I observe, resourcefulness and a resilient, festive spirit in the face of hardship is what characterizes the Bruxellois. And I don't see that collapsing any time soon--at least I hope not :)
A little late to this, but marginally (pretend) annoyed that it's "Global Brooklyn" and not "Global Dalston"!!! I think the two cornered very similar aesthetics at pretty much the same time. Certainly remember walking round Williamsberg c. 2013 and thinking "we have this at home"...
Eoghan, when you speak of Brussels as "a poor, unhappy, provincial city" and of its "imminent collapse", are you being serious? Or is it some sort of zwanze humour?
Bit of both - I think many people feel like this even if it’s not the reality. The city does seem to be in a rough place right now, and you can feel that in the way people talk about it. Having said that, we are apparently the happiest region in Belgium ;).
As for provincial, Brussels may be Belgium’s biggest and best city, but it’s hardly a megalopolis ;)
I think I see what you mean, Eoghan. But having recently moved here from Canada, I find that there's nothing at all provincial about Brussels. Sure, it's not New York or London, but for a city its size, I find it culturally vibrant and alive with a spirit of creativity and constant renewal. From what I observe, resourcefulness and a resilient, festive spirit in the face of hardship is what characterizes the Bruxellois. And I don't see that collapsing any time soon--at least I hope not :)