German passenger operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) confirmed to Belgian news agency Belga on Friday 20 February 2026 that it will introduce a new high-speed connection between Antwerp-Central Railway Station in Belgium and Cologne in Germany in September. The trains will also stop at Brussels Airport.
Tag: Leuven
BELGIUM | Access gates to be introduced in major railway stations, reversing earlier opposition
The Belgian Federal Government is moving ahead with the installation of access gates in major railway stations, despite earlier opposition from passenger groups, unions, and the railway operator itself, Gazet van Antwerpen, Het Nieuwsblad and De Standaard report.
HAPPY NEW QUEER 2026 | Bruges on 17 January and Leuven on 23 January
The Antwerp Queer Arts Festival (AQAF) returns in August 2026 for a month of queer arts and performances in Antwerp. Sometimes you can take a name at face value. Exact dates aren’t published yet. But with Happy New Queer, AQAF holds events in Bruges in West Flanders, and in Leuven in Flemish Brabant.
BELGIUM | Naming towns and cities: municipalities with Dutch, French, English and other translations
15 November is Dynasty Day or King’s Day in Belgium. 15 November being the name day of Leopold, the name of three of the seven Kings of the Belgians. To mark this occasion, and inspired by a Belga News Agency post, let’s take a look at names of villages, towns, municipalities and cities in the…
Flanders continues post-pandemic tourism revival with the help of its beers
Belgium may be small in size, but it is unquestionably big in beers. With more than 3,000 unique brews, the country’s reputation as a world leader in beer culture is secure, and Flanders is increasingly turning that heritage into a tourism driver.
European Commission pumps €2.8 billion in 94 transport infrastructure projects
The European Commission has announced in July 2025 the selection of 94 transport infrastructure projects to receive nearly €2.8 billion in grants under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), a flagship EU funding instrument aimed at building a sustainable and interconnected transport network across the continent.
Leuven and East Brabant named European Capital of Culture 2030
Leuven (Louvain) and the East Brabant reference region have been named European Capital of Culture 2030 by the European jury. The announcement was made at the Royal Library of Belgium in Brussels, where Leuven’s bid, presented under the banner LOV2030 – Leuven & Beyond, triumphed over its Belgian rivals Namur (Namen) in Wallonia and Sint-Jans-Molenbeek…
LEUVEN PRIDE 2025 | Kinkday at Rumba on Saturday 27 September
During Leuven Pride 2025, Kinkday 2025 is a one-day (and night) event taking place on Saturday 27 September at Rumba in Leuven (Louvain), dedicated to fetishists and kinksters, with a playful nod to the queer community.
Mechelen to organise a Pride Week from 2026?
At the Mechelen city council meeting on 27 May 2025, opposition party N-VA called on the city to organise a dedicated Pride Week, arguing that current efforts to promote inclusion and combat homophobia and transphobia are insufficient and poorly communicated.
Protests against overtourism take to the streets in southern Europe
Protests against mass tourism swept across southern Europe over the weekend as locals raised their voices against its growing impact on their cities’ livability, their rents and their way of life.