Tervuren’s natural beauty and green spaces are prominently featured in a new book by Mathijs Schiffers, the EU correspondent for the Dutch business daily Het Financieele Dagblad. “There is abundant greenery in the area, which is hilly, reminiscent of South Limburg or the English countryside,” he writes of the “best-preserved secret” of Northwestern Europe. “Tervuren has it all: the park, forest, and the nearby city. And it’s safe,” he says.
Schiffers first stayed at Tervuren’s Rastrelli hotel in 2019 while searching for a home and school for his children. In many respects, Tervuren surpasses London, where he relocated from five years ago. “Trying to raise a young family in London is almost impossible. It’s so expensive, and the housing quality is poor,” he tells Tervuren+, also emphasizing the superior quality of schools in Tervuren.
Has he spotted any famous EU politicians in Tervuren, such as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen jogging in the park or former EU Commissioner Frans Timmermans cycling to Brussels? “I only saw Timmermans once in Tervuren, but I never saw him on a bike.”
During recent months, Mathijs frequently sought refuge in Tervuren’s library to work on a book about the Netherlands’ Brussels-based politicians and Europe. “The top floor of the library is great. I can make a bit of noise at home, but not when there are children around.”
In Tervuren, on Monday, May 6th, at 8 pm, Mathijs will be hosting a discussion with another Tervuren resident, former MEP Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, and Member of the European Parliament Sophie in ‘t Veld. Due to limited space in the room, please WhatsApp or PM promptly to secure your seat.
Mathijs’ new book is entitled ‘Brexit, Brussel, Brabant’, published by Uitgeverij Damon. ISBN 9789463404167: https://www.damon.nl/boeken/394-brexit-brussel-brabant
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