As an independent internationally acclaimed art critic (Asiya) and an educator and content creator (Stijn), we have an insatiable appetite for art, aesthetics and architecture, but also for world cuisine, philosophy and psychology and basically everything that takes us out of our comfort zone.

Together with our kids - three Belgian boys and one Russian/Turkish daughter - we experience everyday again the beautiful challenges and magical moments that an interculturally and multinational blended family offers.

By whatever paths we travelled on our way to each other, the truth is that A Blend of Magic was born out of our desire to share the thoughts, experiences and musings that presented itself to us. Almost like a cabinet of curiosities showcasing all the interesting people, places, images and ultimately stories that we encounter and experience.

We see ourselves positioned on a perpetual crossroads, with interesting thoughts, challenges and stories in all directions. For Asiya this means standing on the crossroads between eastern and western art professionally, but also on the crossroads between Slavic and Western European culture; a crossroads we both share but from a different vantage point.

Currently living with our family in Belgium we also physically embody this crossroads, always just a few hours away from Brussels, Amsterdam, Paris, London, Frankfurt, Berlin,…. and emotionally connected to Russia in general and St Petersburg in particular.



As we go about our journey feel free to browse in our thoughts and experiences, acquaint yourself with a bit of our history or share in the story of us:

An art, flavour and love-inspired magical blended family.