Welcome to the fourth episode of The Middle Ground, a new talk show and podcast, not on politics, but on the people of Brussels.This week's guest is Mehdi El Taghdouini, a Brussels-born street photographer of Moroccan origins. He has turned his hometown into his greatest muse: while most of us just complain about the weather and traffic, he has been out capturing the city’s hidden magic through his lens, from quiet streets to bustling nightlife. In this conversation, we discuss the personal journey of taking a risk for self-expression, exploring how identity and belonging between Moroccan and Belgian roots shape an artist’s voice. We also discover the barriers within Brussels’ art world, the role of photography in revealing hidden corners and micro-cultures, and how art can bridge divides across class, immigrant, and local communities. Alongside reflections on the ethics and process of street photography, overlooked neighbourhoods in Brussels, and the dialogue between writing and images, we ask what stories about Brussels’ diversity and future Mehdi hopes to leave behind.The episode is hosted by Valeriya Izhyk.All the photos in the episode belong to Mehdi El Taghdouini. Discover Mehdi’s portfolio and shop for his photos on his website, https://www.mehdi-elt.com/. You can also find him on Instagram (@mehdiel_t) and TikTok (@mehdi_elt).
🔵 About The Middle Ground
We’re Valeriya and Viktorya, two immigrant best friends who came to Brussels from Ukraine and Armenia. We bonded over war, visas, jobs, and endless receptions, and eventually built a home together – with a blue couch overlooking the Belgian capital and the heart of the EU. That couch has become the place where we laugh, vent, and try to make sense of this city we’ve learned to love. One night, we realised Brussels was missing exactly that: a cosy, human space for honest conversations.
That’s how The Middle Ground was born: a mix between a talk show and a podcast for all the people of Brussels – not just those with titles and badges, but also those who keep the city alive with their work, love, stories, frustrations, victories, and humour. We want to show a Brussels where everyone belongs, and where you can build a beautiful, happy life even before you’ve “made it.”
Every week, we invite someone onto the couch to talk about their journey, their lessons, and the truths we usually only share over coffee or beers. It’s funny, warm, sometimes cheeky, and always real.
👉 Join our community: We need you to make this project work. You are the soul of Brussels, your life and your stories keep this city alive. Subscribe, comment, share your thoughts, and let’s find our middle ground together.
If you are interested in being a guest, please fill out this form, and we will get back to you.
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📧 Get in touch with us: themiddleground.bxl@gmail.com
🔗 Connect with the producers and hosts:
Valeriya Izhyk → Instagram | LinkedIn
Viktorya Muradyan → Instagram | LinkedIn