National Library of Public Information and Belgian Office Taipei, in a cross-cultural exchange, licensed the mural of The Smurfs on the comic wall of the Brussels Central Station to the museum. In addition to celebrating the second anniversary of the Belgian Corner, the mural of The Smurfs presents a lively and vivid appearance, which can bring readers to experience a childish and fun journey through the Belgian culture.

Belgium is known as the Comic Kingdom, and Brussels is known worldwide for its "comic wall", which features the comic book character, The Smurfs, who has been a part of everyone's childhood. The National Library of Public Information (NLPI) and the Belgium Office Taipei jointly unveiled a mural of The Smurfs the bright and colorful colors, combined with the childlike patterns, make people feel as if they have stepped into the world of comics.

NLPI continues to develop and promote Belgian culture and information

On March 29th, 2024, the Director of the NLPI, Ms. Xiang Ping Ma, and the Director of the Belgian Office Taipei, Mr. Matthieu Branders, unveiled the mural of The Smurfs in the Belgian order on the 3rd floor of the NLPI, which is the only licensed exhibition space outside of the central station of Brussels where it is located. The exhibition is authorized and sponsored by "IMPS The Smurfs", the copyright holder, through the Wallonia-Brussels International (WBI), which is the Belgian French-speaking cultural region, thus demonstrating that cultural exchanges know no national boundaries.

"Established by NLPI in January 2022, the Belgian Information Center is the only public library in Taiwan that collects the most complete collection of Belgian comics, with a collection of about 100 books of original Belgian comics. The spatial design of the center showcases representative Belgian culture, with the Belgian flag in black, yellow, and red, and straight and horizontal grids for the furniture, demonstrating the unique spatial aesthetics of the geometric features and streamlines, and the centerpiece, the "Tintin Rocket," which was sponsored by the WBI at the time, is even more of a paradise for Belgian comics enthusiasts.

Xiang Ping Ma said she hopes to develop the Belgian Information Center into a window for readers to learn more about Belgian culture. The wonderful and touching depictions the mural of The Smurfs give adults and children unlimited imagination and longing for Belgian culture, and in the future, the center will provide diversified Belgian information and cultural feasts through a variety of lectures and activities, travel exhibitions, culinary cultures, and writers' interactions.

The mural of The Smurfs debuts at NLPI

As an important role of Belgian cultural symbols, the mural of The Smurfs is expected to further promote cultural exchanges and cooperation between Belgium and the NLPI," said Marchese. Mr. Hong Ping Zou, head of the Wallonia Economic and Trade Section of Belgium Office Taipei added, "Belgian comics are a national cultural asset, and Belgium's annual output of comics is one-third of its publishing industry, so it's a great pleasure to see more Belgian comics characters in the national library! At the end of the event, the B3 Centre deressources et de cr ativit de la Province de Li ge, Belgium, represented by Matthieu and Hong Ping Zou, brought a surprise by presenting another batch of books, which added more interactivity and glamor to the event.

The mural of The Smurfs is a group of cartoon characters and series of comics created by Belgian cartoonist Peyo in 1958. In 2018, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of The Smurfs, five muralists created a wall of The Smurfs comics on the rooftop above the central station of Brussels in a two-month period with Belgian culture as the theme, and a rich variety of Belgian culture can be seen in the artwork. From the artwork, you can see the richness of the key words of the Belgian culture, such as French fries, soccer, peeing children, muffins, and other characteristics, all hidden in this funny and lively blue elf caricature. For those who are interested in the culture of Belgium, please visit the Belgian Information Center on the third floor of NLPI and enjoy the fun and lively The Smurfs mural!