Irina Papancheva releases ‘Brussels Naked’, exploring life in Brussels
New Book Release
Irina Papancheva’s latest work, Brussels Naked, features a Bulgarian journalist navigating the complexities of life in the Belgian capital.
Irina Papancheva’s “Brussels Naked” provides a nuanced exploration of life within the European Parliament, reflecting the complexities and dualities of the EU experience.
“Some of my characters have very different experiences. They show how Brussels can be cruel, but also how it can be enchanting and magical,” Papancheva explains.
Key developments
Irina Papancheva’s latest book, Brussels Naked, vividly portrays the complexities of life in Brussels through the experiences of a young Bulgarian journalist at the European Parliament.
The narrative intertwines stories set against the backdrop of diverse Brussels locales, highlighting both the city’s allure and its challenges, according to Papancheva.
Podcast: Brussels Naked and more book picks beyond the headlines
Published on •Updated
Bulgarian writer Irina Papancheva started journaling at the age of nine and is now the author of seven books, including Brussels Naked – an experimental novel made up of twelve interconnected stories, each named after a neighbourhood in Brussels.
In a special Easter Sunday episode, Irina Papancheva and Stefan Grobe meet behind the microphones of Brussels, My Love? to share their reading recommendations for the Catholic Easter holiday weekend.
Brussels, Naked by Irina Papancheva: A guide to navigating the EU bubble and Brussels
Brussels Naked is Papancheva’s latest book. It tells the story of Iris, a young Bulgarian journalist who arrives in the Belgian capital as a trainee at the European Parliament.
From naturist spas to lavish cocktail parties, the page-turner depicts Brussels in all its unpredictability: “Some of my characters have very different experiences. They show how Brussels can be cruel, but also how it can be enchanting and magical,” Papancheva explains.
Lázár: A Novel by Nelio Biedermann: Discovering Hungary’s history
Family dynamics and history come together in the first book of the Swiss author of Hungarian origins.
“That’s a fascinating story, and one wonders how a guy of 23 years old have that much reading experience that he can express himself the way. And it’s totally credible,” Grobe said.
The Enlargement by Robert Menasse: The future of the European idea
“Menasse is the master of Witteism, very funny, very ironic style,” Grobe said.
A novel that explores the deepest questions of European identity and politics, which, according to Grobe, is a “must-read” for those who are part of the EU bubble.
Zbig: The Life of Zbigniew Brzezinski, America’s Cold War Prophet by Edward Luce: Understanding the United States
Stepping away slightly from the European Union and turning to the United States, this book explores the life of Zbigniew Brzezinski, national security adviser to US President Jimmy Carter.
The Iran hostage crisis and the position of the United States in the world at the end of the Cold War raise questions and analyses that are all too easily comparable to the present.
Additional sources • Georgios Leivaditis, sound editing and mixing.