The Smurfs and Tintin Hit the Big Screen in 2011

With two of its iconic cartoons being adapted to full-length, feature films, 2011 is already shaping up to be an exciting year at the movies for Belgium! The Smurfs and The Adventures of Tintin are sure to stir fond childhood memories in movie-goers when they premiere next year.

See the world in blue as the Smurfs come to life in their 3-D adventure due out in North America on August 3, 2011.  Our blue friends land in New York City after being chased out of their village by Gargamel, their evil nemesis. The film follows the Smurfs crew as they figure out how to get out of the big city and find their way back home. Starring Neil Patrick Harris and Glee's Jayma Mays, the film also features of the voices of Katy Perry, Hank Azaria, George Lopez, Wolfgang Puck, Jeff Foxworthy, Alan Cumming and many more!

The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn combines three famous Tintin stories for one action-packed, thrilling adventure! Directed by avid Tintin fan, Steven Spielberg, the film follows the boy reporter through his first encounter with Captain Haddock in the search for his ancestor's, Sir Francis Haddock's, hidden treasure. The film stars Jamie Bell as Tintin, Daniel Craig, and Simon Pegg. The first chapter in this three-part series is scheduled to premiere in North America on December 23, 2011.

In advance of these two beloved Belgian cartoons making it to the big screen next year - don't miss the Comic Strip Museum (comicscenter.net). The museum, situated in the capital city, Brussels, is housed in a beautiful art nouveau building and is dedicated to the art of comic strips. (rue des Sables, 20 1000 Brussels) Just outside of Brussels, there is a new museum dedicated to Hergé, the artist and creator of Tintin. The Hergé Museum (museeherge.com) brings visitors inside the life and works of the artist with events and exhibits for the whole family. (rue du Labrador, 26 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve)

With over 700 comic strip artists calling themselves Belgians, this small country is home to the largest number of comic artists per square kilometer than anywhere else in the world!  In Belgium, the comic strip is more than a playful medium - it is a respected and celebrated art-form.