The Art of Being Belgian

Shift Mag Europe Talks to Brussels Online Magazine Mixing a large amount of Belgitude with a pinch of British humour, "The Art of Being Belgian" grips you like a bedside book and teaches like a travel guide, doubtlessly a masterpiece in the art of writing Belgian!

De TijdTom Peeters 'België is het gepeste jongetje van de klas'De geschiedenis heeft hem ook geleerd het beste te maken van een onmogelijke situatie'.'History has also taught the Belgian to make the best of an impossible situation'.

De Standaard, Het recht om Belg te blijven De in België wonende Brit RICHARD HILL bekijkt onze communautaire problemen al veertig jaar met stijgende verbazing. 'Vlamingen en Walen hebben op cultureel vlak meer met elkaar gemeen dan je op het eerste gezicht zou denken.'

Solvay Business Magazine... Il examine les styles de vie et systèmes de valeur des trois communautés qui constituent ce pays varié et propose une évaluation de leurs forces et faiblesses. Cela donne un récit informé et toute sympathique d'un peuple qu'il trouve souvent sous-estimé quoique fondateur de l'histoire européenne".

Courrier International L'ART D'ÊTRE BELGE"Le Britannique Richard Hill habite la Belgique depuis quarante ans. Dans son livre L'Art d'être belge, dont nous avons emprunté le titre pour notre dossier, il s'amuse des penchants de nos voisins. (Extraits du 'De Standaard, Bruxelles)

TV Brussel Flemish Regional TV Channel Gert Schaalck "Richard Hill is a writer who has lived in Belgium for 40 years. His latest publication is a book called 'The Art of Being Belgian'. Among other things, he talks about Belgium's neighbours, and how to tell the difference between the Belgian approach and the Dutch approach. We went to meet Richard Hill to learn about his insider's look into our host nation."


connect SN Brussels inflight magazine Richard Kubitz "Every couple of millenia someone comes along and tries to define Belgians. Julius Caesar wrote that among all the Gaullish tribes, the Belgians were the most courageous. Another giant of a man, Richard Hill, says being Belgian is all about humour, anarchism, scepticism and appreciation for the finer things of life. The problem is that the rest of the world either doesn't know or doesn't care. He sets out to redress the balance in his new book, 'The Art of being Belgian'."

Radio FM Brussels 98.8Brussels local radio station " ... A really great book, a kind of mirror where your recognise in yourself all the aspects of being Belgian".

Radio Vlaanderen International Regional Radio, Flemish region " ... Richard Hill has no intention of going back to England! Why? Belgium is Europe's best kept secret, he replies with conviction;"

La Libre Belgique "... Richard Hill has been living in Belgium for nearly forty years. This British national has now published a book in English on 'The Art of being Belgian', a warmhearted work, caustic and full of humour, that demolishes the stereotypes."

Ons Erfdeel Filip Matthijs " ... A gallant knight in the service of Belgitude, Richard Hill takes up the sword on behalf of the much abused or ignored Belgians. Lifestyles and value systems, Flemings and Walloons, qualities and shortcomings: everything is in this book."

Weekend Knack " ... Belgium at its sunniest! Not only does Hill understand our country extremely well, he also appreciates it greatly ...."

VLAN Brussels (EuroVlan)Christophe Lo Giudice" ... A must read for every newcomer in the country, for every expatriate living here and ... for the Belgians willing to better understand their contradictions."

De Standaard, Tom Heremans " ...  Belgium Samsonland" -  the author is a connoisseur of Europe and a writer. "The Belgian accepts all the inconveniences of commuting as long as he can keep close to his roots." 

L'Echo,  Jean-Paul Bombaerts " ... The Belgians have a genuine and strong identity .... In his latest book he offers us an eloquent portrait of our country ... a portrait flavoured with a good dose of British humour."

Het Laatste Nieuws, De Nieuwe Gazet, Wendy Huyghe " ... I love this wonderful country" ... "We are not accustomed to so much praise from foreigners, Mister Hill."

De Morgen, Marjan Justaert " ... Belgium, the land of the flexible fixers ... Hill reveals with self-assurance how Belgians think and feel."

Het Nieuwsblad, De Gentenaar, Hilde Sabbe "To be Belgian is an art"  ... British author gives us a little lesson in self-esteem.... This is a witty and well documented work that must open foreigners' eyes and make Belgians smile."