Brussels is fully embracing linguistic richness this week during Brussels Multilingualism Week. With debates, performances, music events, workshops and scientific activities, the entire city is buzzing with activity.
VUB Professor of Dutch Linguistics and Commissioner for Multilingualism Wim Vandenbussche is a strong supporter of the initiative. He emphasises that the future of Brussels is inevitably multilingual: “On top of the historical contact between Dutch and French, migration is bringing ever more languages into contact in Brussels.”
The programme brings together Brussels residents, researchers, artists, policymakers and schools, making the many languages of the capital both visible and audible. The week not only highlights the city’s linguistic reality but also showcases the benefits of multilingualism in education, culture and urban cooperation.
And does Dutch still have a future in Brussels? Wim: “Without Dutch, you won’t get far if you want a better‑paid job. So whether Dutch is a small language in Brussels really depends on how you look at it.”