Culture from the EU capital

Proving that it's not just about business and politics, the Belgian Business Chamber is kicking off the cultural component of its Belgian Days on November 11 with a screening of Belgian director Benoit Mariage's The Carriers are Waiting (Les Convoyeurs Attendent) at Warsaw's Muranów cinema. The black comedy gives a sharp picture of family relationships and the tough consequences of overly attentive parenting. On November 12, Muranów will show Frédéric Fonteyne's Gilles' Wife (La Femme de Gilles), the story of Elisa, a young, frustrated wife.

As part of the musical component of the event, the Akwarium jazz club will host the Steve Houben Trio. Steve Houben is a Belgian saxophone legend who has played with greats such as Joe Newman, Toots Thielemans and Chet Baker. In 2000, he won Belgium's Golden Django award for the best jazz artist of the year.

The highlight of Belgian Days will be Henri Seroka's performance of Credo at the National Philharmonic. Seroka. A famed Belgian composer of Polish origin, Sekora is best-known for his musical compositions for film, including the theme music for "The Smurfs" television show. He recently composed the score for U Pana Boga w Ogródku, a Polish film currently playing in cinemas.

Belgian Days will also feature a black-tie gala event, as well as a less-formal Belgian beer and regional food tasting. The festival will round off on the 17th with a live screening of the soccer match between Poland and Belgium, bringing Polish and Belgian fans together for a night of sports, good food and premium beer.

For more information, log on to www.belgium.pl