While Belgium might be seen as the ‘office’ of the EU, there is a much more vibrant side to the country hidden just behind the glass towers. It is a place where traditional savoir-faire still shines, proving that even at the heart of modern Europe, important things are still made one careful step at a time.
Belgium: the Country of Honour at the European Crafts Days 2026
Above image : Sgraffite de Geo Ponchon, réalisé en 1898, 25 de la rue de la Croix à Ixelles. ©Mad’in Europe
This year, Belgium is the Country of Honour at the European Crafts Days 2026, taking place from 7 to 12 April. Mad’in Europe is joining forces with the Institut pour les Savoir-Faire Français, BeCraft and the European Crafts Alliance to promote Belgian craftsmanship, and in particular the professionals taking part in JEMA 2026. Held across Europe, the event invites the public to discover craft professions through open workshops, demonstrations and encounters with artisans. To mark this occasion, we highlight the history of Belgian craftsmanship, from the guilds that shaped its cities to the artisans who continue to reinterpret these traditions today.
From its historical roots...
For centuries, craftsmanship has shaped the identity of Belgian cities. During the Middle Age, artisans organised themselves into guilds, professional associations that controlled how goods were made and sold, ensured quality standards and trained new craftsmen through apprenticeships. These guilds were not only economic organisations; they also held real political power within cities. This influence is still visible today in the Grand Place, in Brussels, where the guild houses, built between the 16th and 17th centuries, reflect the importance and prestige of each craft, as well as Bruges, Antwerp and Gent, among others.
Grand Place, Brussels – ©Regina Garcia Nuñez
De Burg, Bruges – ©Regina Garcia Nuñez
Stadhius van Antwerpen, Antwerp – ©Regina Garcia Nuñez
Sint-Niklaaskerk, Ghent – ©Regina Garcia Nuñez
Either in Flanders, Wallonia, or Brussels-Capital, artisans were key actors in urban life, shaping local economies and even taking part in city governance.
...to the materials that define its craftsmanship
Belgium also became known for specialised craft traditions rooted in local materials and resources. The production of fine Flemish linen from flax cultivated in Flanders gave birth to the very famous lace-making in Brussels and Bruges, while the use of Belgian Blue Stone shaped most of Belgian architectural heritage.
To explore the historical foundations of Belgian craftsmanship in greater depth, read our article!
Traditional making of Belgian lace ©Thaler Tamas/Creative Commons
Today, many Belgian organisations and artisans featured on the Mad’in Europe platform continue to practise and preserve traditional techniques that have shaped the country’s craft heritage for centuries, such as decorative painting, stone craftsmanship, stained glass and wood carving. Find some of them below!
Decorative Painting
If you would like to learn more about the history and evolution of mural painting all over Europe, read our article From Ancient Frescoes to Modern Street Art.
From Ancient Frescoes to Modern Street Art
Frescoes at Maison Hannon – Brussels – © David Plas
Stone Craftsmanship
Stained Glass and Decorative Arts
At the end of the nineteenth century, Belgium became one of the leading centres of Art Nouveau, a style inspired by nature. One of the characteristics of Art Nouveau in Belgium is Sgraffito. Today, artisans such as Iconos SPRL (Elvira Iozzi) or Fabien Glineur continue to practise and preserve this technique.
Mosaic also played an important role, with decorative compositions featuring flowing, organic motifs integrated into architectural surfaces, as seen in the work of Mosaico di Due. Metalwork, particularly wrought iron, was shaped into elegant, sinuous forms, exemplified today by artisans such as DuJardyn Artconcept SPRL, who continue this tradition.
Belgian craftsmanship continues to evolve thanks to practitioners who reinterpret traditional techniques in a contemporary way while experimenting with new materials and forms. These professionals demonstrate how Belgian crafts remain dynamic, innovative, and connected to international creative networks.
All of them participate in the European Craft Days 2026, where their work can be discovered first-hand!
It is also worth highlighting more Belgian artisans working with a variety of materials, whose practices contribute to the richness and diversity of crafts in Belgium through their techniques, skills and creative approaches.
Ceramic and Terracotta
Wood
Paper
Also read our article Museum Platin-Moretus: from writer to reader HERE!
From medieval guilds to contemporary studios, Belgian craftsmanship tells a story of creativity, resilience, and innovation. Step inside open workshops during the European Crafts Days 2026, meet the artisans, and discover this living heritage for yourself. Take the time to choose the places that inspire you most and experience craftsmanship up close.
You can also explore and support European craftsmanship through our shopping section, where artisans showcase their e-commerce platforms, allowing you to access and purchase their creations directly.
News from Mad'in Europe
Mad’in Europe is a partner in the European project CRAFTWISE, funded by Erasmus+, which aims to strengthen skills in the craft sector and encourage collaboration between craftspeople and young designers and design students.
As part of this project, we are currently conducting a survey to better understand the links between crafts and design. We would love to hear about your experience!
Reskiling crafts: Follow the progress of the Reskilling Crafts project here
