CERCLE DIPLOMATIQUE - issue 01/2017

SAVOIR VIVRE WEEKENDER
GENT | GHENT
1 Das Sterne-Restaurant Volta.
The Michelin-starred Restaurant Volta.
2 Waffeln, eine belgische Spezialität.
Waffles are a Belgian speciality.
3 Gildehäuser am Ufer der Leie.
Guildhalls on the waterfront of the
river Leie.
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TIPP
ModeMuseum
Antwerpen
In den 1980er Jahren
mischten die sogenannten
Antwerpen Six mit ihren
avantgardistischen
Entwürfen die Modeszene
auf. Sie alle waren
Absolventen der Koninklijke
Academie voor Schone
Kunsten van Antwerpen.
Ihnen und der Geschichte
der Schule ist das
ModeMuseum Antwerpen
gewidmet. Die aktuelle
Ausstellung widmet sich
Martin Margielle, einem der
sechs, und seiner Arbeit für
das Modelabel Hermès..
In the 1980s, the
so-called Antwerp
Six shook up the
fashion industry
with their
avant-garde designs.
They were
graduates of the
Koninklijke Academie voor
Schone Kunsten van
Antwerpen.
The ModeMuseum Antwerp
is dedicated to them and
their school’s history. The
current exhibition is
dedicated to Martin
Margielle, one of the six, as
well to his work for the
fashion label Hermès.
momu.be
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Geschichten. Und wenn das Wetter wieder einmal
recht heftig ist, dann erinnert man sich daran, dass
Flandern „Überschwemmtes Land“ heißt.
Those looking for the good life and the pleasures
of fine flavours will be more than satisfied
with an excursion to Flanders. It is one of the
three regions of Belgium and surrounds Brussels, the
capital city, and borders the Netherlands up north.
The local language is Flemish, a variation of Dutch. It
is often said that the Flemings live for pleasure. This is
true. Anyone who visits this part of Belgium will
quickly realise that they too won’t escape the way of
life here. And it looks a little something like this: dinner
in some of the best and most exciting restaurants
in Europe, such as Restaurant Hof van Cleve by Peter
Goossens, located near Ghent, or Restaurant Hertog
Jan by chef Gert De Mangeleer in Bruges, nights at
wonderful hotels, such as the elegant De Witte Lelie
in Antwerp, chocolate by Dominique Persoone in
Bruges, the young and wild one among the chocolatiers,
or by Joost Arijs, the avant-gardist in Ghent. In
addition, refreshing art exhibitions in the MAS, the
Museum aan de Stroom in Antwerp, or in the
S.M.A.K., the Stedelijk Museum voor Actuele Kunst
in Ghent. Yes, dear friends and colleagues, all this
sure makes for a quality life! Those who visit Flanders
will probably be spending much of their time in the
so-called ”Golden Triangle“ consisting of the cities of
Antwerp, Bruges and Ghent. Antwerp contains
Europe’s second biggest harbour and as of late, this
harbour possesses a worthy landmark: the Port
House. It was designed by the recently-deceased star
architect Zaha Hadid and is perhaps one of last year’s
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BRÜGGE | BRUGES
1 Die Bonifaciusbrug, Brügges kleinste Brücke.
The Bonifaciusbrug, the city´s smallest bridge.
2 Statue von Jan van Eyck am Jan van Eyckplein.
The statue of Jan van Eyck at the Jan van Eyckplein.
3 Beer Museum.
4 Stadtbesichtigung.
City sightseeing.
5 Cuberdons - eine lokale Süßigkeit.
Cuberdons are local sweets.
most photographed buildings. Hadid placed a spectacular,
huge and very dynamic steel and glass construction
on top of a historic building more than a
thousand years old. The Port House fits right into the
image that Antwerp has created for itself: a city of the
avant-garde. After all, Antwerp is primarily known as
the home of several of the best-known avant-garde
fashion designers: Dries van Noten, Ann Demeulemeester,
Walter Van Beirendonck, Martin Margiela.
The Restaurant Jane also fits into this picture. It is located
in the church of a former military hospital and
its gothic rooms are furnished with a decidedly avantgarde
decor. A quite intergalactic chandelier, as well
as a neon skull, hang down from the ceiling. Sergio
Herman’s and Nick Brill’s kitchen plays ingeniously
with the elements of several different cuisines.
Antwerp’s best-known son, however, was Peter Paul
Rubens. The Rubenshuis, where he lived and worked,
should be visited by anyone coming to Antwerp.
Ghent also impresses with its art scene. Of particular
fame is Ghent’s Altar. It is located in St. Bavo’s
Cathedral and displays the ”Adoration of the Mystic
Lamb“ by the brothers Hubert and Jan van Eyck.
Ghent is delightful. Like Antwerp and Bruges, it too
has a golden history. For a long time, it was a centre
for grain and textile trade. The beautiful guild houses
along the river Leie, as well as the former granaries,
are relics of the time.
PHOTOS: VISITFLANDERS
Bruges is an entirely different affair. Bruges is
Flanders’ tourist centre. And for a good reason. It is a
city of canals, playful townhouses, little towers and
gables. Thus, it comes as no surprise that the entire
historic old town has been declared a World Heritage
Site. In the 13th and 14th centuries, Bruges was one
of Europe’s most important trade centres.
It might be a great idea to conclude a visit to Flanders
with a tram ride. After this much culture, art
and avant-garde ingenuity, it makes for a great finish.
And, after all, this is not just any tramline. The Kusttram,
the coastal tram, is 67 kilometres long. It takes
two and a half hours to complete a journey along the
Flemish coast, from De Panne to Knokke, through
Koksijde, Oostend and Zeebrugge. They are both
historical and traditional bath and spa towns. Kings
and princes, as well as intellectuals and artists, came
here to indulge in various health regimens. Today,
these towns tell exciting tales. And when the weather
starts getting ferocious once again, one quickly remembers
why the place is called Flanders, which
means ”flooded land“.
2018 –
Rubens-Jahr
in Flandern
Reisen Sie 2018 in
die Heimat des großen
flämischen Barockmalers
RUBENS, dem dieses Jahr
vor Ort gewidmet sein wird.
Einen Vorgeschmack können Sie sich im
Kunsthistorischen Museum Wien holen,
wo von 17. Oktober 2017 bis 21. Jänner 2018
die Rubens-Ausstellung „Peter Paul Rubens -
Kraft der Verwandlung“ stattfinden wird.
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Mehr Information zu Flandern: www.visitflanders.com
146 Cercle Diplomatique 1/2017
VISITFLANDERS
Cercle Diplomatique 1/2017 87