Atomium Monument, originally built for Expo '58, the 1958 Brussels World's Fair

Designed by André Waterkeyn, it stands 102-metres (335 ft) tall. It has nine steel spheres connected so that the whole forms the shape of a unit cell of an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times. Tubes connect the spheres along the 12 edges of the cube and all eight vertices to the centre. They enclose escalators connecting the spheres containing exhibit halls and other public spaces. The top sphere provides a panoramic view of Brussels. Each sphere is 18 metres in diameter. Three spheres are currently (2008) closed to visitors, others can be reached easily by escalators. The vertical vertex contains a lift which was very fast and advanced at the time of building (the speed is 5 m/s)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomium

EWEA 14 - 17 March in Brussels

EWEA 2011, EUROPEAN WIND ENERGY ASSOCIATION in Brussels 14 - 17 march

The most powerful wind energy network

The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) is the voice of the wind industry, actively promoting the utilisation of wind power in Europe and worldwide. It is ideally situated in the heart of the EU district of Brussels ensuring close proximity to European decision-makers.

It now has over 600 members from nearly 60 countries including manufacturers with a 90% share of the global wind power market, plus component suppliers, research institutes, national wind and renewables associations, developers, contractors, electricity providers, finance and insurance companies and consultants. This combined strength makes EWEA the world’s largest and most powerful wind energy network.

EWEA coordinates international policy, communications, research and analysis and provides various services to support members’ requirements. EWEA also organises high-profile industry events that members can attend at attractive rates.

EWEA analyses, formulates and establishes policy positions for the wind industry on key issues, cooperating with industry and research institutions on a number of market development and technology research projects.

In addition, the lobbying activities undertaken by EWEA help create a suitable legal framework within which members can successfully develop their businesses.

In a spirit of transparency, EWEA has voluntarily registered itself to the European Commission register of interest representatives, thereby also subscribing to the European Commission Code of Conduct.

Due to a growing need to raise the wind industry’s profile, EWEA produces a large variety of information tools and manages campaigns aimed at raising awareness about the benefits of wind, dispelling the myths about wind energy and providing easy access to credible information.

EWEA organises numerous regular events: conferences, exhibitions, launches, seminars and workshops. These encourage the exchange of international experience on policy, finance and technical developments, and showcase the latest technology.

As from 2011, the annual European Wind Energy Conference and Exhibition (EWEC), organised by the European Wind Energy Association for over 25 years, will change its name to "EWEA Annual Event", with the next edition being "EWEA 2011" in Brussels. www.ewea.org/annual2011

Another major EWEA event is its conference and exhibition dedicated to offshore wind energy, the previous edition of which attracted 4,850 participants and 260 exhibiting companies. For more information on OFFSHORE 2011 see www.ewea.org/offshore2011

Full listing of EWEA events: www.ewea.org/events

EWEA is a founder member of the European Renewable Energy Council (EREC) which groups the eight key renewable industry and research associations under one umbrella organisation. EWEA is also a member of the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC).

http://www.ewea.org/

Palace of Justice

The Law Courts of Brussels or Brussels Palace of Justice (French: Palais de Justice, Dutch Justitiepaleis) is the most important Court building in Belgium, and is a notable landmark of Brussels. It was built between 1866 and 1883 in the eclectic style by architect Joseph Poelaert. The total cost of the construction, land and furnishings was somewhere in the region of 45 million Belgian francs. It is the biggest building constructed in the 19th century.

The Brussels Palace of Justice is bigger than St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. The building is currently 160 by 150 meters, and has a total built ground surface of 26,000 m². The 104 meter high dome weighs 24,000 tons. The building has 8 courtyards with a surface of 6000 m², 27 large court rooms and 245 smaller court rooms and other rooms. Situated on a hill, there is a level difference of 20 meters between the upper and lower town, which results in multiple entrances to the building at different levels.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_Courts_of_Brussels