Friday 3 March 2017

Tintin! - What a Clever Double-Act!

Victor Horta's flagship store
With oaken beams, mosaic floor
Once sold fine cloth hence natural light
From lofty windows was just right.

Built in Rue des Sables, a busy street
Where Brussels' pressmen used to meet
The North-South Junction broke the line
And cut off trade and trams – big time.

The Press moved out, weeds grew apace
The Sandy street soon fell from grace
The shop changed hands then squatters came
The Sixties - a decade of shame...

But Brussels then cleaned up its Act
Now pride of place on tourist track
It houses Belgian graphic art
Strip cartoons bring a new spark!

Two birds with one stone are killed
Art Nouveau and Hergé are thrilled
The building, now restored, is known
As Tintin the Reporter's home!

(c) Poet in the woods 2017



The Belgian Comic Strip Center: 20 Rue des Sables, Brussels



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