Gazing up at this vibrant mural, we find ourselves face-to-face with “Le Jeune Albert,” better known as Young Albert. This mural isn’t just paint on a wall. It’s a portal back to 1950s Brussels, a playful homage to Belgian comics, and a tribute to a talented artist gone too soon. The Young Albert Mural, located on Rue des Alexiens, showcases the mischievous Albert, a roguish character straight out of the Marolles district of Brussels. Yves Chaland, the mural’s creator, perfectly captures the period. Look closely at the details: the bright yellow trams, the vintage cars, and the clothing styles. These elements transport us back to a bygone era. Young Albert isn’t your typical hero. He is mischievous, selfish, and even cruel. He started as a sidekick to detective Bob Fish, another anti-hero. But Albert’s antics quickly overshadowed Fish, and he took center stage. This mural depicts Albert in his signature red coat. He is waiting for the tram, perhaps plotting his next prank. Chaland, a French artist who tragically died in a car accident, had a deep affection for Brussels. He used Young Albert to satirize the Franco-Belgian comics of the 1940s and 50s, which he found too moralistic. Albert represents a rebellious youth, unconcerned with conventional morality. This mural, one of the first on the Brussels Comic Book Route, honors Chaland and his cheeky creation. It also celebrates the unique style of Belgian comics. The Young Albert Mural is a must-see for comic book lovers and anyone interested in experiencing a slice of Brussels history.
Museum of the Gueuze
“Isn’t it strange,”” a visitor mused, “”that a brewery could also be a museum?”” Indeed, the Museum of the Gueuze,