What’s on: Halloween in Bruges and the biggest book event of the year

Despite the difficulties book stores are having staying in business, Antwerp’s massive book fair is still reeling in the masses 81 years on. The books, which can be bought in multiple languages, are certainly a large part of that, but the 900 guests sweeten the deal. Some of the English-language highlights are a talk with American crime author Tess Gerrisen, who introduced the characters that inspired the Rizzoli & Isles TV series; British sensation thriller duo Nicci French; and Paula Hawkins of The Girl on the Train fame. The popularity of Boekenbeurs cannot be overstated, so try visiting on a weekday to avoid the biggest crowds. 25 October to 5 November and 9-12 November, Antwerp Expo, Jan Van Rijswijcklaan 191

Why Ai Weiwei has not disappeared is anyone’s guess. One of the thorns in the side of Chinese authoritarianism, the artist has certainly had his share of abuse – both physical and mental – and temporary incarcerations. But he never stops producing work that heavily criticises his country’s government. And not just that government: His current installation in New York of a series of cages placed around the city is, he says, to highlight “narrow-minded ideas to divide people and create some kind of hatred between people”. Ai was in Antwerp this month arranging his first solo exhibition in Belgium, a selection from the thousands of photographs he has taken over more than two decades. Some of them document years spent under constant surveillance by the Chinese government. 27 October to 18 February, FoMu, Waalsekaai 47, Antwerp