The Circle 19: A Brussels Anthology

Monday to Friday, the city of Brussels is buzzing with politically charged activity, but after hours and at the weekends it’s a magical hotbed of diverse, contemporary arts and culture. Hiding in the midst of this creative energy is the Brussels Writers’ Circle. The BWC has been meeting weekly above Maison des Crepes, just steps from Brussels’ famous Grand Place, for more than a dozen years. The group attracts people of all ages and walks of life, published and emerging writers, poets, screenwriters, playwrights and songwriters. Writing can be a lonely endeavor, and sometimes a short story or poem can take years to perfect. The BWC is an open platform for any writer, new to Brussels or born and bred, seeking renewal, motivation, inspiration, friendship or reassurance. Writers, sometimes five or six, sometimes twenty, crowd around tables to listen to works-in-progress and share feedback over a pint or two of Belgium’s beers. Inevitably, knowledge and insights are exchanged, all in the spirit of helping each other to develop and improve our craft. And then, ‘poof’, like the best kind of magic from a well-stirred cauldron, published pieces emerge and we celebrate each other’s successes. For many of the eleven poets and fifteen writers showcased in The Circle 19: a Brussels Anthology, English is not their native language. Though their chosen profession may be doctor, engineer, translator, teacher or diplomat, and their genres stretch from science fiction to nonfiction, poetry to children’s fairy tales, their contribution hints at the range of talent within BWC and collectively offers a guided tour into the less-travelled, magic-laden parts of Brussels – the parvis after dark, the flat where two lovers quarrel, sun’s first cast of silver light, when strangers meet in a crowded cafe. The Circle 19: a Brussels Anthology is the third publication of literary work by past and current members of the Brussels Writers’ Circle. It would not exist without the tenacity and dedication of the Editorial Team. Much gratitude to Patrick ten Brink, Niamh Moroney, Ross Noble, Ocean Smets, Alexandros Yannis, Jay Harold, Antoinette Naomi Reddick, Kevin Dwyer, and Adalbert Jahnz. The team met time and again, sharing drinks and meals while discussing the merits of each submission. Our process went something like: ‘read, write, meet, repeat’, and eleven months later, The Circle 19: a Brussels Anthology emerged. A big thank you to BWC member Mimi Kunz for contributing this year’s cover art. And thank you to the Brussels-based businesses that support us by selling our books and allowing us to occupy their tables and chairs every Tuesday night. Happy Reading!