Walking through the streets of Brussels' old town, on the wall of a building at 33 Rue de la Buanderie, one can come across an impressive mural depicting Asterix and Obelix - the iconic comic book characters created by Albert Uderzo and René Goscinny. The colorful mural, measuring approximately 145 sq. m, is part of Brussels' famous Comic Book Route, which leads tourists through the city in the footsteps of Belgium's and France's most famous comic book heroes.

The mural of Asterix and Obelix stands out for its extraordinary attention to detail and fidelity to Uderzo's original style. It depicts not only the main characters, but also their creators - Uderzo and Goscinny, which is a unique tribute to the artists who created one of the most recognizable comic book series in the world. The artwork was produced as part of an initiative by the City of Brussels to promote the region's rich comic book tradition.

The location of the mural is noteworthy - it is located in the historic district of Brussels, near the Grand Place, making it easily accessible to tourists visiting the city center. The neighborhood, full of narrow, cobbled streets, perfectly matches the atmosphere of the adventures of Asterix and Obelix, transporting visitors to the magical world of comic books.

This mural is not just a decoration of the urban space - it is a true tribute to the work of Uderzo and Goscinny, who also alluded to Belgium through their comics about Asterix and Obelix. In the album 'Asterix and the Belgians', the authors humorously portrayed the Belgians as the bravest warriors of Gaul (referring to the words of Julius Caesar in 'De Bello Gallico'), which was warmly received by Belgian readers and became part of local folklore.

Interestingly, the mural has become one of the most popular spots on the comic book map of Brussels, attracting fans of the Asterix series as well as street art lovers. Tourists often stop to take a souvenir photo with the Gallic characters, and the mural has become one of the most photographed spots in the city, right after Manneken Pis and the Atomium.

For comic book lovers, the mural is not only a tourist attraction, but also a reminder of the extraordinary influence that Uderzo and Goscinny had on European comic book culture. Their work, combining humor, history and adventure, won the hearts of readers around the world, and Asterix and Obelix became ambassadors of the Franco-Belgian comic tradition.

In addition to the impressive mural, Brussels celebrated Uderzo and Goscinny's legacy with a unique exhibition dedicated to the 'Asterix and the Belgians' comic strip, held in 2017. Held in a beautiful art nouveau building, the exhibition was a real treat for fans of the Gallic characters and was a great opportunity to explore the links between comics and Belgian culture.

The exhibition, which ran from June 30 to September 3, 2017, attracted crowds of visitors, both Brussels residents and tourists from around the world. Its uniqueness lay in the fact that it not only presented original panels and sketches from the comic strip, but also explored the cultural context of its creation, showing how Uderzo and Goscinny used the cultural differences between the French and Belgians as a source of humor.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the exhibition was the presentation of the inspiration that led the authors to create the 'Asterix and the Belgians' album. Goscinny and Uderzo drew inspiration from the famous words of Julius Caesar, who in his work 'De Bello Gallico' described the Belgians as "the bravest and strongest" of all the Gauls. This historical reference became the basis for the plot of the comic strip, in which Asterix and Obelix travel to Belgium to see if the people there are indeed stronger than they are.

The show also playfully presented the cultural differences between the French and Belgians, which the comic's authors skillfully exploited in their work. One example was showing the different ways of counting in the two countries, which in the comic became the source of many amusing situations. Belgian readers found these subtle references to their culture particularly satisfying, as they showed how well Uderzo and Goscinny understood and respected Belgian identity.

Another interesting element of the exhibition was the reference to Brussels' symbol, the Manneken Pis. In the comic strip 'Asterix and the Belgians', this famous fountain depicting a peeing boy was depicted in a humorous way - Manneken Pis attended a party of Gauls, dressed in clothes resembling those of Asterix and Obelix. This humorous element of the comic strip was particularly highlighted in the exhibition, showing how the comic strip's creators skillfully wove local symbols into their narrative.

The exhibition ended with an impressive composition inspired by the work of Pieter Brueghel the Elder, referring to his famous work 'The Vow at Versailles'. This artistic reference highlighted the links between comics and traditional Flemish art, showing how Uderzo and Goscinny drew inspiration from different cultural sources.

It is worth noting that the album 'Asterix in Belgium' was extremely popular with readers - it was published in an edition of 1.5 million copies, demonstrating its significant impact on popular culture. The exhibition in Brussels was therefore not only a tribute to the comic book creators, but also a celebration of its cultural significance and influence on Franco-Belgian relations.

The influence of Uderzo and Goscinny on Brussels and Belgian comic book culture goes far beyond a single mural or exhibition. Their work has become an integral part of the city's cultural heritage, inspiring generations of artists and contributing to the development of Brussels as Europe's comics capital.

Recognizing the importance of comics to its cultural identity, Brussels has created a number of initiatives to commemorate outstanding creators of the genre. One of these is the Belgian Comics Center (Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée), housed in a historic building designed by Victor Horta. This impressive museum features numerous references to the works of Uderzo and Goscinny, with the characters of Asterix and Obelix taking a place of honor among other iconic comic book characters.

It's worth noting that the Asterix and Obelix mural in Rue de la Buanderie is part of a larger project - the Comics Trail, which includes more than 50 murals scattered throughout the city. Initiated in 1991, the trail is a kind of tribute to the rich comic tradition of Belgium and France. Walking through the streets of Brussels, one can come across murals depicting such characters as Tintin, Lucky Luke and Marsupilami, but it is the mural featuring Asterix and Obelix that is particularly popular with tourists.

The legacy of Uderzo and Goscinny is also celebrated at the numerous comic book festivals held in Brussels. One of the most important is the Brussels Comic Strip Festival, during which comic book fans from all over the world have the opportunity to meet, exchange experiences and pay tribute to their favorite creators. During these events, the characters of Asterix and Obelix always occupy a special place, and workshops and lectures devoted to the works of Uderzo and Goscinny are very popular.

Interestingly, the influence of these two artists on Brussels culture can also be seen in local gastronomy. In the city, you can find cafes and restaurants inspired by the comics, serving dishes that reference the adventures of Asterix and Obelix. Particularly popular are references to the famous Belgian feast described in the comic strip 'Asterix and the Belgians', during which the characters enjoyed local specialties.

Brussels, as a city with a rich history and culture, perfectly understands the value of comic book heritage to its identity. Commemorating the work of Uderzo and Goscinny through murals, exhibitions and other cultural initiatives not only attracts tourists, but also strengthens the city's position as a European center for comic art.

The educational dimension of this heritage is also worth mentioning. Comics about Asterix and Obelix, despite their humorous nature, contain numerous historical and cultural references that can serve as an educational tool. Brussels schools often use these comics in the teaching process, organizing excursions along the trail of comic book murals and encouraging students to explore history and culture through the prism of the adventures of the Gallic heroes.

Uderzo and Goscinny's legacy in Brussels is thus multifaceted - from street art to museums and festivals to education and gastronomy. Their work has become an integral part of the city's cultural landscape, contributing to its unique character and tourist appeal.