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february 11, 2015 \ newsweekly - € 0,75 \ read more at www.flanderstoday.eu current affairs \ P2

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Dancing to another tune

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Kings of carnival

no love lost

Celebrated contemporary choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui is taking over the troubled Royal Ballet Flanders

education \ P9

Instead of cranking up the pressure to be romantic on cue, try out one of our suggestions for a fun-filled Valentine’s night \ 10

Aalst is getting ready for one of Flanders’ biggest parties of the year. We tell you where else you can expect a rocking good celebration \ 11

The art of change multidisciplinary festival in leuven challenges us to become transcendent tom Peeters More articles by Tom \ flanderstoday.eu

Connect facts with a wide-open imagination, and you get Artefact, a multidisciplinary festival in Leuven trying to bridge the gap between art and science. This year it deals with our human ability to change ourselves, from within and without, an idea challenging both neuroscientists and artists.

othing stands still. Everything is in constant flux, and humans move with it. Contrary to the static worldview humankind embraced for ages, now a more dynamic perspective prevails. “A lot of science is indeed researching the mutual interaction between different parts of the network,” says Hicham Khalidi, explaining the choice of “You Must Change Your Life” as the theme for the 10th edition of the multidisciplinary festival Artefact. It’s a festival that explores science through the arts, and this year’s title refers to a book by the popular German philosopher and cultural theorist Peter Sloterdijk, in which he describes man as having “eccentric potentials” and being able to “step out of the river of life and take residence on the shore”. Khalidi embraced Sloterdijk’s idea of human beings constantly balanced between falling and standing, eventually trying to transcend their natural condition. One of the most striking images from the Artefact exhibition he is curating in Leuven’s arts centre STUK is a 170-year-old sofa balancing on one leg. The title of the piece, “Balance From Within”, serves as an explanation: The apparent lack of movement is forced. “The couch functions a bit like a Segway,” Khalidi explains. “Two kinetic, robotic mechanisms react to each other to keep it upright.” This corrective mechanism can be read as a metaphor for what happens in our brains and bodies when we fall, but also when we sit and think about our lives (like on a sofa). “In his book, Sloterdijk claims you can only transcend yourself and change your life after you have found a certain balance,” Khalidi says. “But don’t we constantly reflect upon new situations, making adjustments to find a new balance? The most haunting illustration in Sloterdijk’s book about self-initiated change is the story about a violinist without arms. He had to transcend himself twice: to deal with being disabled and to become a master violinist.” Khalidi found the book when searching for a poem by the late Rainer Maria Rilke. In the poem, the author is looking at a bust, which speaks to him, saying: “You must change your continued on page 5

\ CurrenT affaIrs

New director for Royal Ballet

antwerp choreographer sidi larbi cherkaoui takes up the reins of a company in turmoil alan Hope follow alan on Twitter \ @alanHopefT

ntwerp dancer and choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui has been appointed as the new artistic director of the Royal Ballet of Flanders. Cherkaoui replaces Assis Carreiro and will take up the post on 1 September. Dancer and teacher Tamas Moricz is the company’s new associate artistic director. “Cherkaoui is a person with a broad base of support in the world of dance and beyond,” said Pol Bamelis, chair of the board of Kunsthuis, which incorporates Flanders’ opera and ballet. “He can and will build bridges between tradition, the contemporary world and the future. With his arrival at Royal Ballet Flanders, we can look to a new future with absolute confidence.” Cherkaoui, 38, is one of Europe’s most celebrated contemporary choreographers. Originally a student of Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker’s school PARTS, he was long associated with Antwerp’s Toneelhuis before founding his own company, Eastman, in 2010. Cherkaoui was awarded the Flemish

“a course of reconciliation”: sidi larbi Cherkaoui

culture prize for stage arts in 2012, when then-culture minister Joke Schauvliege described him as “the best Flanders has

Sharp increase in dental problems in young children

89,500

Hell’s Angel gets 30 years for triple killing Ali Ipekci, a 40-year-old Hell’s Angel from Genk, has been sentenced to the maximum 30 years in prison for killing three members of the rival Outlaws gang in Maasmechelen in 2011. Ipekci intends to appeal the sentence. The trial in Tongeren heard that Ipekci shot the three men inside a van during a party for the opening of a new business. He then dumped the bodies in the canal. Ipekci denied shooting the victims but admitted taking part in the disposal of the bodies

when confronted with DNA evidence. In the sentencing phase, the jury followed the reasoning of the prosecution that there were no extenuating circumstances that would justify anything but the maximum sentence allowed by law. The defence had pled for a lesser sentence, given Ipekci’s age and that he is the father of three children. The trial was reported to be the most expensive jury trial ever held in Belgium, costing about €500,000. The main expenses

were related to DNA testing and technical analyses, as well as a heavy police presence, particularly on days when members of both motorcycle gangs were present, when approximately 180 officers were stationed in and around the court house. \ AH

Spate of bomb scares causes chaos © Ingimage

dren is unimportant because these teeth fall out anyway. “If oral hygiene is so poor with the primary teeth, then it will probably also be poor with the permanent ones – unless these habits change drastically,” he said. “Brushing from the very first tooth is really necessary.” \ Andy Furniere

38%

Increasingly more toddlers and young children are having multiple cavities filled, which must usually be done using a local anaesthetic, according to professor Luc Martens, head of the child dentistry department at the Ghent University Hospital (UZ Ghent). Professor Martens told Radio 1 that the problem has increased dramatically over the last several years. “Some children have 10, 12, even 15, rotten teeth,” he said. Because the children are so young, they have to undergo the dental work under anaesthetic at a specialist department at the hospital rather than their regular dentists. At least 500 children between three and five years old undergo this kind of treatment at UZ Ghent every year, said Martens. Problems being seen now in young children, he continued, are increasingly complicated, usually not concerning just one cavity or infection but a whole series of issues. The problem stems, he said, from a combination of poor nutrition – in particular, way too many sugary drinks – and a lack of oral hygiene. The professor also refuted the notion that brushing the teeth of small chil-

to offer the world”. The choice of Cherkaoui marks a clear break with Carreiro, a controversial choice from the start due to her background in arts administration rather than dance. Carreiro was appointed in 2012 under difficult circumstances: The ballet’s then artistic director, Kathryn Bennetts, credited with taking the ballet from a provincial to a world-class company, quit when the ballet and opera merged due to government cuts in subsidies. “The course I will be seeking to pursue with the company is one of reconciliation,” said Cherkaoui in a statement. “For a number of years, there has been a constantly growing exchange between different dance disciplines, as classical ballet and contemporary dance increasingly complement each other. Although there is always a key idea running through the content of my work, what I am able to achieve with ballet dancers in terms of form and technique is very different from my work with contemporary dancers.”

A bomb scare early on the morning of 2 February led to traffic chaos as the A12 motorway between Antwerp and Brussels had to be closed as police followed up a warning of a bomb in the Carré dance hall in Willebroek. The building was filled with about 500 revellers who police evacuated at about 6.00. The building was searched with sniffer dogs, but nothing suspicious was found. Another hoax the previous weekend led to the evacuation of 2,500 people attending a party at the Brussels Event Brewery in Brussels’ Molenbeek district. Three more bomb threats, including at the American embassy and the law courts

on Poelaertplein, caused chaos across Brussels during the course of Monday. The European Parliament was also evacuated after a Slovakian man dressed in a military uniform was arrested outside. He was found to have a chainsaw and a gun in his car but no explosives. Some 35 such warnings have been made since the terror threat level was raised last month in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo massacre and the shooting of two terrorists in Verviers. The authorities have warned that anyone convicted of a bomb threat risks a maximum two-year jail sentence along with a massive bill for costs for police and emergency services. \ Derek Blyth

€12 million

0.2% €51.4 billion

complaints about aircraft noise over Brussels in 2014, compared to 9,770 the year before. Complaints came mainly from municipalities affected when routes were changed. Those changes have since been suspended

of members of fitness centres tested positive for illegal hormone use, a record number. The figure is so high because inspections are carefully targeted, said Flemish sports minister Philippe Muyters

approved by the Brussels-Capital Region for the implementation of its Canal Plan, which aims to bring 25,000 new homes and 7,500 new jobs to the city’s canal area in the next 10 years

in sales of rough and cut diamonds in Antwerp in 2014, up from the 2013 record of €49.4 billion. But the record figure did not lead to more profit, with margins down from 2 to 3% to zero

drop in the number of unemployed in Flanders in January, compared to the same time a year ago, the first recorded fall in the numbers since December 2011. The total number of unemployed is 239,567

february 11, 2015

WeeK in brief The new McDonald’s on Steenstraat in Bruges, one of the city’s biggest shopping streets, will not be granted a license to serve food to take away, said urban planning alderman Franky Demon. Customers must consume all food inside the restaurant. The city, which also refused McDonald’s a permit to open at all, did not want a fast food chain on the street, said Demon. The province of West Flanders eventually granted McDonald’s an operating permit but cannot override the city’s decision to refuse a take-away permit. Ghent mayor Daniël Termont was awarded second place in the London-based World Mayor Prize. Termont had been shortlisted in the top three. First place went to Naheed Nenshi, mayor of Calgary. Termont said he was proud of the nomination and attributed it to the people of his city. “I’m a little bit in love with Ghent, you know,” he told VTM News. Following the announcement of the result, he treated 1,000 Gentenaars to a party with beer and music in the Vooruit cultural centre. Footballing legend Rik Coppens, former Red Devil and first ever winner of the Golden Shoe, has died in hospital at the age of 84. Coppens was born in Antwerp in 1930 and joined Beerschot at the age of 16, leaving in 1961 to play for Charleroi, Molenbeek, Berchem and Borgerhout. He played 47 times for the national side, scoring 21 times. In 1970, he hung up his boots to take over the management of Borgerhout, returning to Beerschot two seasons later as manager. “Our club shares in the sadness at the passing of this great man,” the club said in a statement. A man suspected of being an accomplice of the Jewish Museum shooter is to be extradited to Belgium for questioning, the court of appeal in Paris has

face of flanDers ruled. The man was caught on security footage with the suspect, Mehdi Nemmouche, days after the shooting in May last year in which four people died. Boortmeerbeek in Flemish Brabant is the slowest municipality in Flanders at providing social housing, with a wait time of 12 years and seven months, according to figures from the housing ministry provided to parliament. Opglabbeek in Limburg comes second with 10 years and one month. By contrast, the wait in Bever, Flemish Brabant, is only 11 days. The average time taken to process a request for social housing is just under three years. The Dutch and Flemish governments have signed the treaty for the construction of a new lock at Terneuzen harbour in Zeeland province, which will allow the largest ships in the world to access the port of Ghent. The lock is 427m long and 55m wide, the same size as the new locks on the Panama Canal, and has a draught of 16m deep. The cost is an estimated €920 million, of which €155 million will be paid by the Dutch government and the rest by Flanders. The treaty now has to be ratified by both parliaments. Work is expected to complete by 2021. Cyclists in Brussels can now help gather evidence for a possible legal action by posting photos and videos to the website www. velodossier.be. The site plans to use evidence of unsafe conditions to convince a court to order the construction of more and safer cycle paths. Flemish workers in 2013 did less night and shift work than in 2000, according to figures from the labour and social economic agency. Flanders makes less use of these “unsocial hours” than other parts of western Europe. Evening working went down

from 12% to 8.6% of workers; night work from 4.8% to 2.9%; and shift work in general from 10.6% to 8%. The main reason, said the agency, was a reduction in the numbers employed in the manufacturing industry. The first cases in Belgium of Cryphonectria parasitica, a fungal infection fatal to trees, has been discovered in more than 50 horse chestnuts on Dikke-Beuklaan in the Brussels district of Jette. Nature organisations and municipal authorities will meet on 25 February. The infection, also known as chestnut blight, came close to wiping out the chestnut tree in the US in the early 1900s. The disease is spread on the wind, and infected trees are usually removed as quickly as possible. Consumer organisation TestAankoop is taking legal action against Jo Cornu, CEO of rail authority NMBS, over remarks he made before the federal parliament’s infrastructure committee. Cornu had accused the organisation of populism and lack of professional ethics over a study published two weeks ago that claimed that 82% of rail passengers were dissatisfied with train services. The remarks were “intellectually dishonest”, TestAankoop argued and could lead to a complaint of criminal libel. Opponents of a new car park under the historic flea market on Vossenplein in the Marollen area of Brussels have called on the region to begin a procedure to have the square, a number of surrounding buildings and a Second World War bunker under the square listed as protected buildings. The move is aimed at preventing the construction of an underground car park, which protesters argue will hurt the market, and local commerce, irreparably.

offsiDe off into the sunset The Twitter handle @Stib_Fail was begun by Kwinten Lambrecht in January 2012. The idea was to get followers to post news of delays, breakdowns or any one of a number of other shocks passengers on Brussels public transport system MIVB are daily subject to. Among the complaints: overfull on line 82, broken escalators, blockages on the embossed pathways for blind people, wet seats, “the delicate smell of cold sweat in the morning”, smoking and much, much more. “It was good to be able to keep the pressure on in the beginning,” Lambrecht told Brusselnieuws.

be last week. “But the stream of complaints dropped off after MIVB itself became active on Twitter. Aside from that, I’d also like to have a life.” So Lambrecht has retired the Twitter account. In fact, the MIVB Twitter account was launched in 2009 but was virtually moribund until Lambrecht and his partisans delivered a sharp kick up the rear of the bus. Since MIVB finally became active, with a staff of four covering all social media, including Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube, they’ve posted 9,335 tweets and gathered 7,661 followers. “Now they’re doing well,” Lam-

Joke dehond Joke Dehond, CEO of Inventive Designers, was named ICT Woman of the Year last week by the magazine DataNews at a ceremony in Brussels. Forthesixth edition oftheaward, more than 10,000 readers of the magazine voted, producing a top three. The other nominees were Els Blaton, CEO of consultants Everis, and Dominique Leroy, CEO of Belgacom. Dehond, 35, was selected by the jury, which called her “ambitious and driven” and said that it chose her “because of her enterprising qualities in combination with her technical know-how”. “My father was a programmer, so we always had a computer at home,” Dehond stated on her company’s website. “I wrote my first computer program when I was 11. It encouraged a conversation between me and the computer, which – for no special reason – I named ‘Brian’. I lost my interest in computers during my teens, but then decided to study computer science after secondary school.” Dehond graduated from Antwerp University and was put to work as a software developer in her father’s company in Hoboken, Inventive Designers, which

develops tools to help companies communicate with their clients. She moved on to legal, marketing and business development, in the kind of grooming often undergone by the offspring of successful business people. “I’m really excited about this recognition, particularly because of the deep respect I have for my fellow finalists,” Dehond said in a statement. “Together with the whole organisation, I’ve worked hard to get our company where it is now. We still have a lot of challenges ahead of us, but we’ve established a sustainable basis to confront these challenges with confidence and passion.” The digital transformation “and automation of our entire industry,” she continued, “as well as most other sectors, has created a need for new insights, expertise and decisiveness. As ICT Woman of the Year I’m going to give my utmost to this throughout 2015.” At the same ceremony, Ellen Van Den Berghe, digital channels manager at the National Lottery, was named Young ICT Woman of the Year, designated for women under 30. \ Alan Hope

flanders today, a weekly english-language newspaper, is an initiative of the flemish region and is financially supported by the flemish authorities. The logo and the name Flanders Today belong to the Flemish Region (Benelux Beeldmerk nr 815.088). The editorial team of Flanders Today has full editorial autonomy regarding the content of the newspaper and is responsible for all content, as stipulated in the agreement between Corelio Publishing and the Flemish authorities.

brecht admits. “They’re very on the ball. I’m not some sort of unstoppable whiner, so I decided now is the best time to quit.” Since Lambrecht’s announcement, tributes have been raining in, including a touching one from MIVB itself, based on the credits for the TV show Six Feet Under. Watch “#StibFailUnder, a Love/ Hate Twitter Story” at http:// youtu.be/rLHvhRHuYyc. \ AH

editor Lisa Bradshaw dePuty editor Sally Tipper contributing editor Alan Hope sub editor Linda A Thompson agenda Robyn Boyle, Georgio Valentino art director Paul Van Dooren PrePress Corelio AdPro contributors Daan Bauwens, Rebecca Benoot, Derek Blyth, Leo Cendrowicz, Katy Desmond, Andy Furniere, Diana Goodwin, Julie Kavanagh, Catherine Kosters, Toon Lambrechts, Katrien Lindemans, Ian Mundell, Anja Otte, Tom Peeters, Daniel Shamaun, Senne Starckx, Christophe Verbiest, Débora Votquenne, Denzil Walton general manager Hans De Loore PublisHer Corelio Publishing NV

editorial address Gossetlaan 30 - 1702 Groot-Bijgaarden tel 02 373 99 09 editorial@flanderstoday.eu subscriPtions tel 03 560 17 49 subscriptions@flanderstoday.eu or order online at www.flanderstoday.eu advertising 02 373 83 57 advertising@flanderstoday.eu verantwoordeliJke uitgever Hans De Loore

\ POlITICs

5th coluMn seeing red

One would think that the opposition on the left was getting an easy ride these days. After all, both the federal and Flemish governments are opting mostly for more conservative economic and social policies, bickering about these semipermanently along the way. Still, times are hard for SP.A, the largest party on the left. Although it did not do as badly at the 2014 election as some had expected, the party is still at a low point. It is struggling to find its opposition voice – having been in government almost continuously for decades. But mostly, the party is struggling with itself and its leadership. After the elections, party president Bruno Tobback chose to stay on. The electoral results may have been disappointing, but they could have been much worse, he argued. Party members who had hoped for a clean slate could do nothing but grit their teeth. Meanwhile, a contender stood up: John Crombez, who had garnered a reputation as secretary of state for the fight against fraud. Although Crombez had been moving up the party ranks as a cabinet worker for years, he was still fresh to the public. But, while it was expected that Crombez would take over in the months that followed, Tobback hung on. Now SP.A faces presidential elections in June. It is not the first time a contender has stood up, but it is unprecedented for the Flemish socialists that they are torn between two candidates of equal status. The result is paralysis, as many party prominents prefer to keep their heads down and await the outcome of the election. The situation completely overshadowed a party congress last weekend, as the media could hardly be bothered about the party’s strategy, only showing interest in the two presidential candidates and their running mates. To make matters worse, Antwerp party ranks – the largest in Flanders – are torn up by infighting, which is again mixed up with the presidential clash. All of this makes it hard for SP.A to be the formidable opposition party it once was, as Karin Temmerman, socialist leader in the House of Representatives, found out last week when she criticised the federal government discord. Prime minister Charles Michel was quick to quip that the Flemish socialists themselves are “specialised in unity. Particularly in Antwerp”. No wonder most party members are counting the days till June. \ Anja Otte

Facebook asks for meeting

Privacy secretary challenges new terms introduced by social network alan Hope More articles by alan \ flanderstoday.eu

acebook has asked for a meeting with Bart Tommelein, Belgium’s secretary of state for privacy matters, to discuss his misgivings over the new terms and conditions for users of the social media site. Facebook’s new terms, introduced on 1 February, have been widely criticised around the world. The site is now allowed to analyse, use and sell a wide range of data about users, including their contacts, messages, photos and videos. Facebook may sell, for example, names and photos of users to be featured in advertising campaigns without their knowledge or consent.

The privacy commission in Belgium has already threatened legal action. Tommelein (pictured), meanwhile, has called for a co-ordinated European approach to the problem. The EU is setting up a task force to examine the problem, led by the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium. If a Europe-wide solution cannot be found, the task force will draw up a list of infringements that each member state can use on a national level, a spokesperson for Tommelein’s office explained. She described the Facebook overture as “positive news. Belgium’s concerns have obviously been noted”.

Parliament to step up security Flanders earmarks €55 million for major roadworks against terror threat

www.wegenenverkeer.be

The government plans to introduce tough new security measures around the federal parliament, according to De Morgen, which has obtained access to a document drafted by the body’s security chief. The plan – the latest in a series of measures introduced to tighten security in Belgium – was commissioned by House of Representatives speaker Siegfried Bracke and Senate speaker Christine Defraigne. It was drawn up by the head of the parliament’s military police force, Harry Vindevogel. The report cites a number of security loopholes including antiquated security cameras, poorly guarded entrances and lax security checks, De Morgen says. Vindevogel suggests a number of improvements including new

automatic doors to restrict entry, a central control room and compulsory badges for everyone entering the building. The total cost of the recommended measures was estimated at between €175,000 and €250,000. Until now, ease of access to the parliament has been considered a basic principle of Belgian democracy, allowing citizens to monitor their elected representatives. \

Derek Blyth

Mobility and public works minister Ben Weyts has announced a budget of €55 million for 28 major roadworks on Flemish roads this year. The works are mainly structural maintenance and cover a total of 167 kilometres of road. The number of projects is higher than in previous years, but the individual projects are smaller in scope. Last year saw about €80 million invested in works on motorways; this year and in coming years, the accent will be more on regional roads. Speed restrictions during works will be closely monitored, Weyts warned. “There are still too many accidents happening during roadworks,” he said. “Works mean adjusting your speed accordingly, and we will be tough in making sure that happens.”

The Roads and Traffic Agency, which will carry out the maintenance, intends to keep disruption to a minimum by doing the work at night and during holiday periods. July and August will see maintenance works carried out on the A1/E19 between Mechelen Zuid and Kontich, on the A12 at Strombeek-Wever and on the A19 between Kortrijk and Menen, as well as resurfacing on the A17/E17 between Waregem and Kruishoutem and the A10/E40 between Zwijnaarde and ErpeMere. The longest works involve renovation of bridges on the A12 at Londerzeel, which will last the whole year, and the renewal of Woluwelaan in Brussels, which begins this month and will last until the end of the year. \ AH

Integrated youth more likely to be radicalised, says expert

Government debates unemployment benefit reform

The more an immigrant family is integrated into Belgian society, the more likely it is that one of their children will become radicalised, according to Marion Van San, a sociologist from Rotterdam who was called before the new radicalisation committee of the Flemish Parliament. “There are also Belgian families whose young people have gone off, and they are not all lower class,” she told De Standaard, in contradiction of the general view that poverty and social exclusion are triggers for radicalisation. “The young people who went [to Syria] are not all uneducated or frustrated, and there is generally very little empirical evidence to show that they were victims of discrimination.” Van San has carried out research into Syrian fighters and is in contact with about 90 families, including those who are well integrated in Belgium and the Netherlands. In most cases, the parents

As the federal government works to boost employment figures, member of parliament Zuhal Demir (pictured) has defended N-VA’s proposal to cut people off unemployment benefits after a certain period. “We have to introduce more reforms to ensure that more people seek work,” she said. “Once they see that they can no longer pay the bills, they will try harder to find a job.” But CD&V, which forms part of the coalition government, immediately rejected the plan, arguing that it had not been agreed during the talks to form a federal government. “If we want to avoid social discord, we have to stick to the agreement we reached with the social partners,” said Stefaan Vercamer. Opposition parties also criticised Demir’s proposed benefit cut. “Impoverishing a person is the worst thing you can do to help them get a job,” said Evita Willaert of Groen, while Meryame Kitir of

are simply unable to do anything to stop their children from becoming radicalised. Those who come from well-integrated families have higher expectations from society, which makes them more sensitive to exclusion and discrimination. They also tend to be more Western-oriented, using alcohol and drugs, taking part in nightlife and only becoming more religious later. Many have a diverse circle of friends and have completed school successfully. “This is not a plea to mess about with the basics of poverty policy or to drop all work on the discrimination that is often shown to exist on the labour market. But people should not cultivate the illusion that those measures alone will be enough to counter radicalisation and extremism,” she said. “To really understand this group takes long-term and profound insight into the young people concerned and the families they come from.”

\ AH

the socialists said that the policy was “heartless”. The federal government has pledged to raise the employment level to 73.2% of the working population by 2019. It needs to create 440,000 new jobs over the coming four-year period, but a recent survey by the National Bank revealed that the government’s current policies would only create 60,000 new jobs, while a report by the Federal planning office put the figure of new jobs at just 16,300. \ DB

\ COVer sTOry

february 11, 2015

The art of change artefact festival explores science through the arts

www.artefact-festival.be

continued from page 1

life”. Khalidi was intrigued and started to read philosophical texts and scientific papers about plasticity and neuroplasticity, the discipline exploring changes in the brain as a result of behaviour, environment, emotions or injuries. He discovered the work of the American neuroscientist Israel Rosenfield. “His work emphasises external triggers,” he says. “His theory says we have bigger brains because we started to use our environment: We began to walk and migrate. Our memory and brain have made evolutionary changes in order to aid the body’s migrations.” But, according to Rosenfield, whose witty book DNA: A Graphic Guide To The Molecule That Shook The World (a sort of “DNA for dummies”) is on display at the exhibition, our memory doesn’t store everything. Rather, it creates a dynamic network of associations that are evoked by external triggers and situations. With these arguments for change and adaptation by both Sloterdijk and Rosenfield in mind, Khalidi started to select this year’s Artefact artists and performers. Rosenfield’s research is particularly obvious in “When You Fall Into A Trance”, a video by the British artist Emily Wardale that connects the social with biology and neurology. “It’s about four people,” Khalidi explains. “One, a brain scientist, is examining a man who suffers from impaired proprioception or positional sense, meaning he falls down whenever he can’t see the movements of his own body. According to neuroscientists, the perception of one’s own body is essential to a human being. As long as this man is unable to truly perceive his body, he loses control over his movements and his balance.” As a result, “When You Fall Into A Trance” places both visitor and protagonists in uncertainty. Apart from the focus on this brain disorder, it’s a video about the complex, often inadequate communication between people, one of the artist’s fortes.

Our memories and brains have made evolutionary changes in order to aid the body’s migrations Other works refer to how to think about these complex relationships. Take “The Hand, The Eye and It” by the Dutch “linguistic performer” Hedwig Houben. She likes to chart the artistic process and her own position as an artist. In a 20-minute video performance, a plasticine copy of the artist’s hand takes on the role of a mediator between her, the maker and the object, the “it”, which also looks like a body. Entering “Room C (Extended)”, a participative installation by the Flemish artist Roel Heremans, visitors are encouraged by the voice in their headphones to close their eyes and use the power of their imaginations. “It’s an introspective installation about our

“balance from within” by Jacob Tonski provides a metaphor for the whole theme of artefact: keep from falling and transcend expectations

perception of time and about the question: Are we our memory, or not?” says Khalidi. “Rosenfield claims we are not, since we can train it, and we don’t store thoughts in separate boxes in our brains. According to him, our memory operates as a chain of signals triggered by a context: our environment, the people around us, the objects we touch…” Khalidi considered adding a work referring to post-traumatic stress disorder, but instead he selected a contemporary installation by the Iraqi artist Mokhallad Rasem. “How does the body react (especially if we don’t treat it well)?” is the crucial question in his performance Body Revolution. Rasem worked at the National Theatre of Iraq before the war brutally changed the course of his life. Now a prize-winning resident director at Toneelhuis in Antwerp, he finds himself with a totally different perspective. In a performance with three dancers – from Iran, Iraq and Morocco – he explores the ways people deal with violence and destruction. “Their Arabic roots were important to me,” he explains. “They also know people who fought in the war, and they experienced the Arab revolutions from abroad, just like me.” Not being a dancer himself, his starting point was not technique but emotions. “The body can cry or yell, too. I’m interested in how people react to smoke, bullets, explosions, while under constant threat and suppression. I became aware that the body changes in extreme situations, physically and mentally.” Body Revolution aims to show how the body is affected by war and by the information people from the Arabic world receive from the people they left behind and from the media. “It’s strange,” Rasem realises. “In Iraq I ran away from reality. Here reality is appealing to me.” Khalidi, having Moroccan roots himself, is familiar with artists from North Africa and the Middle East: “At the moment there are about a dozen contemporary Moroccan artists doing very well. I try to offer them a

platform. Take Younes Baba-Ali, who lives and works in Brussels and Casablanca. I showed his work at the Marrakech Biennial, since he is raising pertinent questions about our society.” Khalidi refers to the video “Être et ne pas avoir” in which Baba-Ali tackles “social tourism”. Because of his origin, he’s able to change perspectives of a white majority

12-22 february

that claim that immigrants are abusing the social welfare system. But don’t think the artists presented at You Have To Change Your Life want to tell you how you should change your life. As if they all are also inspired by the bust in Rilke’s poem, they are only indicating the human need to continually change in order to survive and/or transcend oneself.

sTuk kunstencentrum

Naamsestraat 96, Leuven

artefact: Manage your oWn changes The Artefact festival has a history of looking at science through the framework of art. “But there’s one big difference,” says curator Hicham Khalidi. “Art is about making images, science about finding truth. For scientists, verification is important, for artists not.” Nevertheless, in different STUK exhibition rooms artists seem grateful for the possibilities offered by science. See, for instance, the 3D portraits by American artist Heather Dewey-Hagborg (pictured on cover). Her sculpted faces look almost real, based on traces of DNA people left in public places. Still, the programme, offering a stateof-the-art music selection, wouldn’t feel accomplished without an evening of debate with real scientists. So a collaboration was arranged with Campus Gelbergen, an independent platform encouraging social debate and personal development. “We will focus on the learning process, uniting voices from the fields of child psychiatry and brain plasticity,” says Khalidi about the debate he will co-moderate on 18 February. In between lectures by the renowned Flemish child psychiatrist Peter Adriaenssens, the Dutch philosopher Bert van de Ven and

“art is about making images, science about finding truth”: artefact curator Hicham khalidi

Iseult Beets, a postdoc at the Motor Control Laboratory of the faculty of kinesiology and rehabilitation sciences at the University of Leuven, there are workshops with professionals in change management, movement and learning.

\ busIness

WeeK in business air ryanair The low-cost Irish airline has demanded that Brussels Airport review the way it charges for the use of its space. Because of the way the airport splits its charges between per-aircraft and perpassenger costs, Ryanair said, airlines are being encouraged to fly with small, half-empty aircraft, and the airport is restricting company growth.

auto electronics Melexis

The Ypres-based microelectronics company reported strong growth in turnover and profits in 2014. Sales were up by 20% to more than €332 million, and net profits up by half to €85 million compared to 2013, the company said.

Digital technology Digitopia

The technology developer, based in Wijnegem, Antwerp province, has launched Innovation Boulevard, a series of apps and equipment aimed at shoppers in Antwerp’s Meir. The apps include virtual queues, which allow you to do something else while waiting to pay, and virtual changing rooms, which tell you the perfect size to choose.

Medical feops

The Ghent-based tech company has developed a 3D computer model able to accurately predict how a cardiac patient will react to an aortic valve implant. A spin-off from Ghent University, FEops builds a 3D model of a patient based on images provided by the physician, which shows exactly which sort of valve is best suited to the case.

Ports Zeebrugge

The port of Zeebrugge could consider a fusion with the port of Antwerp in the future, CEO Joachim Coens said. The port is expecting a fall of 20 to 30% in deep-sea container traffic this year because of the departure of major shipping lines. This will leave it with significant over-capacity just as the gas market is falling and roll-on/roll-off traffic remains stagnant.

retail as adventure

The Antwerp-based outdoor clothing and equipment chain has been sold for €400 million to the French private equity investor PAI, owners of the Hunkemöller lingerie chain and baggage handlers Swissport. AS Adventure is still 15% owned by founder Emile Lathouwers and management, with the rest held by British investor Lion Capital.

Quotas for women a success

study shows that introduction of gender quota has had positive effect andy furniere More articles by andy \ flanderstoday.eu

he directors of stock market-listed companies still feel that the government shouldn’t have imposed quotas on the number of women on their board of directors, according to research released by Hasselt University (UHasselt). But the majority also admit that the quotas have led to many positive results. Researchers presented their findings at an international congress on equal opportunities in Antwerp last week. A law from 2011 stipulates that at least onethird of the board of directors of listed companies in Belgium must be women by 2017 – or 2019 depending on the size of the company. Government-funded enterprises had to achieve this minimum by 2012. Businesses were extremely critical of the quota

regulation, arguing that with too few capable women, companies would simply put token women on their boards, and that a small group of qualified women would be called on to serve on several boards. Criticism has decreased sharply since the regulation was introduced, said UHasselt postdoctoral researcher Hannelore Roos, who inter-

viewed 40 CEOs, chairs and both executive and independent members of boards of directors. Although three-quarters of the companies they represent don’t meet the requirement yet, a change of mentality has clearly taken place, they agreed. Roos’ research shows that companies reflect on their staffing policies much more than before. To find a new director, for instance, they look beyond the usual – mostly male – networks. They also turn to other sectors, like the academic world, to find female candidates. The research also demonstrated that CEOs and board members also feel that the common assumptions they held in 2011 about the lack of women candidates have turned out to not be the case.

Six architects compete for Beurs conversion into Beer Temple

Flanders’ official architect dismissed with immediate effect

Six architects from a field of 35 applicants have been selected for the next round of a competition to design the new Belgian Beer Temple. The museum dedicated to local beer is to be installed in the Beurs, the former stock exchange building on Beursplein in Brussels. The six were selected on the basis of their experience with listed buildings and their overall vision, as well as their proposed plans for the Beer Temple. Stéphane Beel, based in Ghent, is best known for M Museum in Leuven; Polo Architects from Antwerp worked on the Belgian pavilion at the Shanghai Expo; Arter from Brussels worked on the Grand Casino in Brussels. Kempe Thill, based in Rotterdam, was responsible for the Maritime Academy in Antwerp; Imagination, with offices in London and

The Flemish government has voted to dismiss official architect Peter Swinnen with immediate effect. His term of office was due to run until June this year. Neither the government nor Swinnen’s office have given any detailed explanation for the sudden decision. According to the only statement released, by deputy ministerpresident Liesbeth Homans, the dismissal follows a report by Audit Vlaanderen which was delivered to the government on 29 January. According to De Morgen, the speed with which the decision was taken on receipt of the report suggests the audit made serious allegations against Swinnen. One of them is thought to be conflict of interest in commissioning a study into whether the working practices of the official architect’s office could

Cologne, specialises in restaurant and hotels; while Ghent’s Robbrecht en Daem is known for its numerous high-profile projects, including the Concertgebouw in Bruges and the renovation of Antwerp Zoo. The final six will now go into more detail on their proposals, and a winner will be chosen in June by the two contractors for the project: the city of Brussels and the Belgian Brewers federation. \ Alan Hope

be applied in Albania. Swinnen’s own practice, 51N4E, has strong ties to the Albanian government, the paper says. The report also raises questions about renovations to the Ravenstein Gallery near Central Station in Brussels, where Swinnen installed his official office in 2012. Some of the expense claims relating to that work cannot be linked to his official duties, De Morgen reports. The government issued a statement saying the work of the office would continue under Swinnen’s deputy. However, the post of official architect could be nearing its end, as the Flemish government intends to replace the post with a panel of experts whose job would be to sketch out plans for the government’s architectural policy. \ AH

€75 million extra investment in tourism projects

Flanders adopts UN convention on investor relations

The government of Flanders is to invest an extra €75 million over the course of this legislature on tourism projects aimed at providing tourists with destination services better adapted to their needs, Toerisme Vlaanderen has announced. Since 2012, the agency has built its activities around two types of programme: thematic and geographical. Themes include, for instance, cycling heritage or the commemoration of the First World War. Geographical programmes relate to the three main destination groups – the coast, the art cities and the more rural, green regions. In 2014, for example, subsidies were accorded by Toerisme Vlaanderen to the Bruges Beer Museum under the art cities programme; to a new skate park in Blankenberge under the coast

Flanders has adopted a United Nations convention aimed at ensuring transparency in disputes between the government and investors. The measure, drawn up by the UN Commission on International Trade Law, increases the accountability of governments to ensure they respect their international obligations. Flemish minister-president Geert Bourgeois (pictured), who is also responsible for foreign policy, told parliament that it was in the region’s interest to sign on to the convention. “Flanders depends on international investment; it is to a large extent the source of our economic success,” he said. “But in the past, disputes between the state and investors have often been resolved behind closed doors. By adopting the new convention, Flanders is joining an international consensus to ensure that disputes

programme; and to the Viking Festival in Tongeren under the regions programme. Tourism minister Ben Weyts’ new plan involves launching a set of strategies that bring added value to society, to the economy and to business. These “leverage strategies” would increase the region’s name recognition internationally, he said. The extra subsidy will be distributed to projects that fit in one of three strategies: a thematic programme about the Flemish Old Masters; a programmes stressing Flanders’ infrastructure for conferences, meetings and exhibitions; and a programme stressing and reinforcing the drawing power of existing destinations. Toerisme Vlaanderen will soon issue a calls for candidate projects for financing. \ AH

of this nature are transparent and open to public scrutiny.” Bourgeois said the new rules would provide a more secure basis for future agreements. “The convention increases legal protection for Flemish companies that are seeking to invest internationally, as well as protecting foreign companies that want to invest in Flanders.” The new rules apply to some 3,000 investment agreements across the world, including about 90 involving Flanders. \ Derek Blyth

\ InnOVaTIOn

february 11, 2015

Power up

WeeK in innovation

benelux’s biggest energy storage research lab opens in brussels ben bloom More articles by ben \ flanderstoday.eu

www.PortofantwerP.com

he biggest laboratory for energy storage research in the Benelux has opened at the Free University of Brussels (VUB). The Battery Innovation Centre, which opened in December, will house scientists working on the development of electric cars and solar and wind farm technology.

The biggest challenge with batteries is to balance performance with durability and capacity Batteries are the key to the development of clean, efficient electric vehicles and energy farms. The VUB has a long history of expertise in the field, and its engineering faculty was a pioneer of research and development in electric vehicles. The new innovation centre, known as the BIC, will also focus on other crucial energy matters, such as improved performance and storage capacity for solar and wind power. With 260 test channels, 10 climate chambers and thermal imaging equipment, the BIC has been

Developing more durable batteries is key to the success of electric cars

established to better market the VUB’s battery-testing technologies. Professor Noshin Omar, head of the centre, said: “The biggest challenge with batteries is to balance optimal performance with durability and capacity. Investing in durability means reducing performance. In our climate chambers we can test thermal as well as electrical performance and durability, and on this basis, we can develop market models for rechargeable energy systems.” The BIC is an integral part of Mobi, a research group of more than 60 staff members from the faculties of engineering and economic and social sciences, led by professors Joeri Van Mierlo and Cathy Macharis. This means their technological innovation is fed by other research such as environmental impact studies and market analysis. Research into batteries is growing

in importance, with electric cars the future of ground transport as we seek to reduce our use of fossil fuels. The past decade has seen a boom in their popularity and development, but power storage remains a problem, leaving many potential customers with doubts as to their car’s range and the ease of recharging. “For us, the behaviour of the

Q&a

www.Provan.be

BenProesmans,theownerofametal-processing company in Genk that scooped the first Factory of the Future award, explains how a new methodology cut costs and lead times What does Provan do? We deliver what we call tailor-made metal solutions. These include sheet laser cutting, laser cutting of tubes and pipes, bending and welding of metal parts and assembly. We have a broad range of customers: from developers of medical equipment to heating producers and shop interior manufacturers. You won the Factory of the Future award for implementing a Quick Response Manufacturing system. What’s that? Quick Response Manufacturing, or QRM, is a production methodology that focuses on time instead of costs. The process of “time thinking” instead of “cost thinking” results in a reduction of the lead time – the time between placement of an order and delivery of the final product – that has a material impact on the global costs. For example, we were looking for an alternative production method that would enable us

consumer is very important. How is a driver of an electric vehicle going to behave?” says Van Mierlo. “We know, for example, that being ‘fun to drive’ plays a key part for the consumer in their acceptance of electrical vehicles. “In addition, there is what we call range anxiety, or the fear of being stranded with an empty battery. How can we respond to that? Are hybrid vehicles or dynamic inductive charging systems a good response to this? Technological innovation needs to be driven by such information.” The BIC encourages partnerships within the energy sector, while creating a positive environment for further industry collaboration. It will also enable organisations and companies to improve their individual applications by enhancing overall performance and energy efficiency. Mobi provides technical and scientific services to organisations and private companies, and its facilities and models have been implemented in projects with clients including BMW, Scania and Toyota.

visualisation of our production activities. As a consequence, our operators are guided by a thoroughly digital system, and thanks to the use of coloured flags in the system, they organise their work completely independently. These flags indicate the order of the transport carts and metal parts in the different production steps, so everything can follow one another in rapid succession.

to manufacture and deliver stoves as quickly as possible. A batch production of 60 sets used to take around four weeks. However, with an increase in the number of product variants, we feared that our production method would cause problems in terms of lead times and available warehouse space. So we decided to implement an entirely new production method: QRM. What impact did it have on production? On the shop floor, QRM is a combination of two things: smart production, thanks to our innovative software – we are the first company in Belgium to use this system – and the physical

Were you satisfied? Definitely! Our products can now be made in batches of 15 sets. As a consequence, the lead time for each set has decreased by a massive 85%, from three-and-a-half to four weeks to just three days. The packing process is now twice as fast and the smooth workflow means we don’t need to stock large quantities of parts anymore, freeing up lots of storage space. But this is just one example where the benefits of QRM are clearly quantified. Thanks to the QRM approach, we are implementing a production methodology that is guaranteed to reduce our total costs in the long run. \ Interview by Senne Starckx

fertility clinic calls for donors

The Centre for Reproductive Medicine at Brussels University Hospital has launched an urgent call for donated egg cells. In Brussels alone, about 170 couples are waiting for an egg cell donor, and the waiting list is growing. The shortage is due to more people having to rely on fertility treatment. Reasons vary, from more couples postponing pregnancies to treatments after chemotherapy, or because of a genetic abnormality. According to gynaecologist Dominic Stoop, women are often scared off by the hormone treatments necessary for egg cell donation. “But a fertility centre like ours provides the perfect assistance and guarantees an anonymous donation,” he said.

researchers make nanotube breakthrough Scientists from Antwerp University have succeeded in arranging organic molecules in nanotubes, a breakthrough that could lead to applications in optic telecommunication. The findings were published in the magazine Nature Nanotechnology. To use the organic molecules for optic applications, they have to be arranged in the same direction in a nanotube. That has been a problem until now, because the opposite charges attract each other. “You can compare them with two magnets,” explained researcher Jochen Campo in a press release. “If two magnets stick to each other, they don’t really work anymore. But if you put the magnets in the same direction in a narrow tube, they form one strong magnet together.”

foetuses not harmed by chemotherapy

Cancer treatment during pregnancy is not harmful to the baby, according to the results of a study released by a team of researchers from the University of Leuven. Oncologist Frédéric Amant, who led the research project, presented 10 years of data last week during an international congress at the university focusing on cancer during pregnancy and infertility issues. Doctors hesitate to recommend chemotherapy to pregnant women. Amant and his team have demonstrated that chemotherapy does not put the health of the foetus at risk because it is protected by the placenta. The treatment also doesn’t affect the development of children after they are born. \ AF

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\ eDuCaTIOn

february 11, 2015

From the bottom up

WeeK in eDucation

eu project on education for athletes

edushock is trying to change education from the inside out andy furniere More articles by andy \ flanderstoday.eu

www.edusHock.be

s many teachers and administrators have learned, it’s not easy to implement largescale reform in an education system. A group of about 15 people is now trying to change the system from the bottom up. The non-profit organisation, dubbed Edushock, sponsors the Edushock Learning Festival, which gives teachers, principals and administrators a platform to present the projects they have developed to improve education. Two weeks ago, the third edition of the festival took place in the ALM Berchem conference centre in Antwerp. Some 300 teachers, principals and students participated in workshops structured around the ideas of 24 of their peers from Flanders and the Netherlands. Keynote speakers like Rik Torfs, rector of the University of Leuven, and Fons Leroy, managing director of the Flemish employment agency VDAB, also presented their respective visions on the school of tomorrow. “We bring together people who can inspire the entire education sector,” says Tom Fleerackers, co-ordinator of the festival. Fleerackers is the head of the small- and medium-sized enterprises management programme at Karel de Grote University College in Antwerp.

These initiatives are like small jolts that gradually change the system Edushock’s bottom-up approach was inspired by a book of the same name published in 2011. In that book, innovation expert Dirk De Boe and education specialists Bernard Lernout and Pieter Sprangers identified 20 trends that they believed would shape education in the future. “We focused on positive innovations that are currently being developed and implemented on work floors,” explains De Boe, who also serves as chair of Edushock. “These initiatives are like small jolts that gradually change the system.” The premise of the book is that teachers should be recognised as key figures in children’s education who provide inspiration inside and outside of the classroom. Teachers, the Edushock authors write, should become specialists in relating “moving tales” – engaging lessons that open the minds of their students.

uHasselt takes on Herkenrode barracks Dutch education entrepreneur Claire boonstra speaking at the most recent edushock festival

“These are not new ideas,” says De Boe. “They date back to the time of the Greek philosopher Plato, when teachers were highly regarded as mentors.” The Edushock authors also believe that schools should increasingly develop into “wide-ranging schools” that are integrated into local communities as a whole. “They should attract the expertise of companies to enrich their study programmes, include extracurricular activities of various associations and provide social services like that of a day-care centre,” explains De Boe. “To be more accessible, schools could be open all day.” The flexibility that this vision for the schools of the future takes as a key principle also applies to the learning programmes offered to students. “The curricula should be more customised in order to strengthen children’s personal talents,” says De Boe. The book includes some 400 concrete tips and good practices that today’s educators and administrators can use to prepare for tomorrow. The most recent Edushock festival shows that there is no lack of good ideas in today’s education system. Germain Desmet of the PTI Kortrijk school in West Flanders explained how they are moving toward a “wide-ranging school” by including both a day-care centre and nursing home on their premises. Another speaker, Dirk Bicker from the Antwerp school De Wereldreiziger, argued that the “superdiversity” of teenagers from various backgrounds and cultures produces a creative atmos-

phere in the classroom. In another talk, photographer Evy Raes also explained how photography can be integrated into school curricula and can also be valuable in maths and grammar lessons, for instance. Other workshops focused on the promotion of the STEM studies – science, technology, engineering and mathematics. A team from the Urban Primary Education network in Antwerp demonstrated its “robotics suitcase”, which includes accessible tools with which children can start to learn programming. To spread the innovative gospel of Edushock, the non-profit recently set up EDUSHOCKx (the name is a reference to TEDx lectures). “Apart from organising a large-scale event, we also want to encourage school staff to set up their own smaller, local EDUSHOCKx festivals,” explains De Boe. “The members of our organisation can coach them.” Though De Boe and his fellow Edushock team members want to change the education system from within, that shouldn’t be taken as a sign of deep or constant disagreement with the ideas and policies of education ministers, De Boe assures. “But it’s clear that they have difficulty reconciling the demands of various partners, like the education networks and unions,” he says. “We can’t afford to wait for this slow decisionmaking process; we have to take swifter action ourselves.”

Education Council calls for common policy against bullying The Flemish Education Council (Vlor) has called on Belgium’s governments to develop a long-term policy against bullying. The advisory report was published as part of the Flemish Anti-Bullying Week, which kicked off last Friday. According to Vlor, there is still too little expertise on bullying at school, and schools need more support to combat the problem, which is becoming more widespread. Because bullying doesn’t stop at the school gates, an antibullying policy should also include other partners, said Vlor, like sports clubs, youth groups, welfare organisations, police and the judiciary. In the report, Vlor has requested a statement of

What skills do athletes aged 12 to 25 need to combine studies with a sports career? To answer that question, the European Education, Training and Cooperation Programme (Erasmus+) has initiated a study that brings together nine international partners, including the Free University of Brussels (VUB). Gold in Education and Elite Sport received €500,000 in EU funding and will last two years. The project makes it possible for participating countries to optimise the organisation and assistance of their “study and top sport” programmes in education institutions and sports federations. VUB rector Paul De Knop, a sports sociologist, will be part of the Belgian research team.

common intent from Belgian ministers responsible for social welfare and education. The statement should include common goals and agree-

ments per policy area, said Vlor. “All education partners are willing to negotiate with the governments and with each other on an action plan,” said the organisation. Vlor also stated that there is too little research on an educational approach to bullying and suggested that investments be made in research and results made available to schools so they can use methods that have worked well. “We want to keep an anti-bullying policy high on the agenda,” explained Vlor chair Harry Martens. “It is the common concern of all partners involved in education that every student feels safe at school.” \ AF

The University of Hasselt (UHasselt) has signed an agreement with the city to take over certain buildings at the historic Herkenrode barracks. The university will use it for reception and meeting rooms and a part of the faculty of business-economic sciences. The school for mobility sciences and research institute IMOB may also be housed there. The agreement is a new step in the university’s “two-campus strategy”. The purpose is to house the exact, biomedical and applied sciences studies at the Diepenbeek campus at the edge of the city, and the human sciences on a campus in the city itself.

Dave eggers awarded chair at uGent

American writer and publisher Dave Eggers, author of the best-selling novel The Circle, has been awarded the Amnesty International Chair at Ghent University (UGent). He will give a lecture in March at Vooruit cultural centre in Ghent and will also talk to professors and students. Eggers became known for A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, a semi-autobiographical novel about raising a little brother after the death of the parents. The award, however, is due to his work for social justice: In 2010, Eggers established ScholarMatch, which matches youngsters with immigrant backgrounds with grant donors, and his initiative 826 National provides writing courses to children aged six to 18. \ AF

\ lIVInG

WeeK in activities Carnival in blankenberge

The coastal city goes allout for Carnival, with a fun fair on the Grote Markt, a big parade on Saturday and a children’s parade on Sunday. On Fat Tuesday, the Vuûle Jeannetten (Dirty Jennies) compete for a prize. 13 February to 23 March; Blankenberge; free (For more Carnival suggestions, see facing page) \ http://carnaval.blankenberge.be

north sea Cyclo-cross The oldest cyclo-cross event in Belgium, held continuously since 1959, takes place on Valentine’s Day, appropriately for the country’s best-loved winter sport. All the big names will be there, including Sven Nys, Kevin Pauwels and last year’s winner, Tom Meeusen. 14 February 11.00; Sportpark De Krokodiel, Duinenweg 435, Middlekerke; €12 \ www.noordzeecross.com

youth choir and jazz concert The LVS Choir and Jazz Band from Ascot, UK, give a free concert in Brussels. LVS Ascot is a co-ed, independent day and boarding school in Berkshire with student musicians who are seasoned performers. 14 February, 15.00; BELvue Museum, Koningsplein 7, Brussels; free \ www.belvue.be

nieuwpoort harbour tour During the school holidays, take a one-hour boat tour that covers the “Mouth of the Ijzer” nature reserve, the fish market, the yacht harbour, the Albert I monument and the Ganzepoot lock complex. 14-21 February 15.00; Rederij Seastar, Robert Orlentpromenade 2, Nieuwpoort; €9.50 \ www.seastar.be

spinrag children’s festival Spinrag is a week-long festival of theatre, dance, film, music and art for children. Performances, installations, workshops and activities in various locations throughout Kortrijk. Free kick-off party on 14 February at Schouwburgplein. 14-22 February; Schouwburg Kortrijk, Schouwburgplein 14; Tickets/reservations required for some events \ www.spinrag.be

\ 10

Valentine’s for the rest of us no hearts, no flowers, just plenty of fun stuff to do on 14 february

Pain, and more pain: In the Mood for Love

alentine’s Day can lead to a lot of expectations – and this year it’s on a (gasp!) Saturday. We here at Flanders Today understand perfectly well that when the pressure is on, romance turns off. So we’ve come up with a few fun and casual ways to spend this fateful evening, whether or not you’re in the company of someone special. Although they’re not all fraught with hearts and flowers, they do all take place on 14 February.

In the Mood for Love – it sounds like the perfect flick for a Valentine’s night out. But be warned, if you’re in a relationship, it had better be a strong one. This lavishly designed 2000 film from Hong Kong, with its perpetually slowmoving camera and its heavenly melancholic soundtrack, focuses on two hoodwinked people who could find solace in each other company. That’s right, “could” – because, as this achingly beautiful gem proves, the road to love is paved with traps and pitfalls. (In Cantonese with Dutch & French subtitles) 19.30, Cinematek, Baron Hortastraat 9, Brussels

Hollywood royalty: Some Came Running

How about spending your Valentine’s eve in the company of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Shirley MacLaine? In the lush melodrama Some Came Running (1958), master of stylish staging Vincente Minnelli choreographs Hollywood royalty in a small-town setting “bursting at the seams with the pressures of passion”, as a blurb for the original novel read at the time. This screening at Cinema Galeries is an act of cinephilia by Sabzian, a group of young Brussels filmmakers. Meet them afterwards for a drink around the corner from the cinema. (In English) 20.00, Cinema Galeries, Koninginnegallerij 26, Brussels; reservations recommended at reservation@sabzian.be \ www.sabZian.be

Shrouded in secrecy: Mystery Night

The final night of Antwerp’s Kleppers Festival is a big secret, though Het MartHa!tentatief promises it will “have nothing to do with Valentine’s”. Sounds good to us! You’ll have to slap down your €12 to €16 out of pure faith in the Antwerp theatre collective since you don’t get much of a sense of how you’re going to spend the next

\ www.cinematek.be

Persia meets the West: Mohsen Namjoo

two hours. The group does promise a performance that you will “talk about for years and look back on later with nostalgia”. Golly. You can finish off your evening right in the same building at Bourla Beats, a big DJ dance party. (In Dutch) 20.00, Bourlaschouwburg, Komedieplaats 18, Antwerp \ www.toneelHuis.be

Passionate poetry: Saint Amour

Every year around Valentine’s Day, Saint Amour, a literary lovefuelled tour sponsored by Behoud de Begeerte, makes its way through Flanders and the Netherlands. This year the focus is on

poetry, with, among others, recent Herman De Coninck prize-winner Maud Vanhauwaert and renowned poet and author Stefan Hertmans taking centre stage to read new and unpublished work. Dutch musician Thé Lau and Flemish singer Bert Dockx (of Flying Horseman fame) will add a little music to the mix, while Quan Bui Ngoc and Daisy Ransom Phillips of Les ballets C de la B (pictured) will majestically dance to Verdi. Head to Ostend on Valentine’s night or catch it on tour elsewhere in Flanders from 11-19 February. (In Dutch) 20.00, De Grote Post, Hendrik Serruyslaan 18A, Ostend \ www.begeerte.be

bite five new regional products Recognition as an official streekproduct, or authentic regional product, is a big deal in Flanders. Awarded by Flanders’ Agricultural Marketing Board, the label has been around for more than 10 years, and more than 180 products have been recognised. A streekproduct is made in a traditional and artisanal manner and must maintain a strong connection to a particular region. The range of approved Flemish regional products is diverse, and there are still hundreds of products waiting for approval, which is granted or denied three times a year by an assessment board. The first round of 2015 resulted in five newly recognised traditional regional products. Alloo Smokehouse in Bruges has been smoking fish since 1885. Around that time, smokehouses

were popping up at small ports all along the Flemish coast, and halibut was a popular and cheap alternative to turbot or salmon. The Alloo family’s smoked halibut is first dry salted and then cold smoked for about eight hours. There are no preservatives or colorants. In 1945, fish processing plant Simar was established along the river Scheldt in Sint-Amands, Antwerp province, by the Van HemelrijkMaes family. It’s their family recipe for pickled herring that made the cut for regional product. The meaty chunks of herring are soused in mild vinegar, making for one wonderfully tart delicacy. The tradition of smoking ham is nothing new to the Van Hoe family of Oudenaarde, East Flanders. The secret behind their St Eloy smoked ham has passed down from father to

Some people have called Iranian singer and setar player Mohsen Namjoo the Iranian Bob Dylan. That’s an insult to both “Bawb” and Namjoo. The latter’s sensual style is a mix of Western folk rock and Persian melodies, combined with lyrics that draw as much inspiration from centuries-old poetry as from every day, modern life. The combination of the two led to Namjoo being sentenced to five years in prison for insulting the Koran in 2009. (He lived, and still lives, abroad and never served them.) Coincidentally or not, the key contrasting emotions in his music – despair and passion – only deepened after this episode. 20.00, Bozar, Ravensteinstraat 23, Brussels \ www.boZar.be

This anti-Valentine’s guide has been brought to you by Rebecca Benoot, Lisa Bradshaw, Bjorn Gabriels and Christophe Verbiest

www.streekProduct.be

son for generations since 1892. The dry cured hams are smoked while still on the bone, and then given ample time to mature. After about 40 weeks, when the flavours in the meat have fully ripened, the hams are deboned and wrapped in gift-

worthy artisan-style packaging. Oudenaarde’s legendary brasserie Jan Van Gent, meanwhile, has been selling lekkies for more than 200 years. The recipe for the sweet has not changed in all that time, incorporating the same ingredients, including different types of brown sugar, candy syrup and butter. This mixture is brought to the boil, poured onto a marble slab and then pulled repeatedly for a pillow-soft result. Jan Van Gent has bragging rights to another traditional candy-turnedstreekproduct. It created its first bierbollen (beer balls) in the 1980s in an attempt to make a candy based on beer from the previously breweryrich city in the Flemish Ardennes. After some experimentation, the bierbollen based on sour cherry beer (pictured) turned out the best. \ Robyn Boyle

february 11, 2015

The life of the party

the humorous, irreverent and rowdy gather in aalst for carnival this weekend katrien lindemans More articles by katrien \ flanderstoday.eu

lemings know a thing or two about celebrating carnival, but nobody in the region takes the affair quite as seriously as the people of Aalst. Preparations for the famous Sunday parade begin months in advance at this East Flemish city. An election is held for Prince Carnival, who is charged with the important task of master of ceremonies, and there’s a local radio station that plays nothing but carnival songs in the Aalst dialect to get listeners in the appropriate celebratory mood. This year, Aalstenaars are gearing up for the 87th edition of the carnival. The tradition goes back to the middle ages, but the first official carnival in Aalst was planned during a council meeting in 1923. Almost a century later, in 2010, the Aalst carnival was added to the Unesco list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The election of the latest Prince took place a couple of weeks ago, and Joeri Mens, known as “De Joe” among locals, received the most votes. On the eve of carnival, he’ll be handed the symbolic keys to the city. Mens will be in charge of the city throughout carnival weekend. On Sunday, 15 February, the head of the parade departs from Statieplein at 13.00. Some seven hours later, the tail of the parade finally arrives at the city’s Grote Markt. With more than 70 floats built by various groups and every single participant dressed up, entertainment is guaranteed throughout the day. As is traditional, the floats depict and mock local and national politics. Monday is all about the broom dance performed by the Gilles of Aalst, a group of masked men, dressed in white, red and golden costumes. By swinging their

15-17 february

www.tinyurl.com/aalstcarnival

brooms and stomping the ground at the Grote Markt, they hope to chase away bad spirits and bring forth a good harvest. After the dance, Prince Carnival and his helpers throw onion-shaped candy from the city hall’s balcony. Exactly 100 of these candies come with a number that can be exchanged for a gift at the town hall. Whoever catches the candy marked nr 1 wins a little golden onion. Be sure to get to the Grote Markt around 14.30 if you want to try your luck. Another parade will meander through the city around the same time. Later in the evening, all the groups traditionally gather for the election for the best carnival group. Tuesday is probably the most peculiar day of the Aalst festivities, as it sees a parade of grown men dressed up as women sashay from the Grote Markt to Vredesplein. These so-called voil jeanetten, or “dirty jennies”, typically sport impressive bosoms, fishnet stockings, fur coats and sometimes push a pram, filled with beer. It’s also tradition for them to wield broken umbrellas and bird cages. Don’t take it personally should one of them insult or mock you – that’s what voil jeanetten do. As the story goes, men used to dress up in their wives’ old clothes for carnival because they didn’t have money to buy fancy carnival outfits. On Tuesday evening, all the different groups gather on Grote Markt to mark the end of the carnival season. The prince sets fire to a human-size carnival doll, while bagpipe players perform “Amazing Grace”. A winter fun fair also runs from 6 to 22 February in Aalst’s city centre.

across aalst © Dokumentatiecentrum aalst karnaval/Visit flanders

More carnival celebrations The official carnival period runs from 15-17 February, exactly 40 days before Easter. Traditionally, carnival is the last moment of excess before the solemnity of Lent. In Flanders, nearly every city stages its own carnival, and festivities take place all over the region from early February until the end of March. Quite a few carnival parades aimed at families with children are just around the corner. These festivities usually take place on the Friday before the official carnival period. In Genk, for instance, more than 3,000 children from 11 schools will leave from Stadsplein to parade through the city on 13 February.

The next day, the city will welcome an international carnival parade with 55 floats from Belgium and abroad (pictured). The capital is also having a carnival party. The annual Carnival d’Oruro takes place on 14 February and will see a traditional Bolivian parade leave from Sint-Katelijneplein in the heart of Brussels. Even Manneken Pis will be dressed up for the occasion in a devil costume. The event continues with a masquerade and closes with a party at Jeugdzaal Sint-Katelijne. Like every year, Halle is organising a kid-sized carnival, with an election for Prince and Princess

Carnival on 7 March at CC ’t Vondel. The event ends with a kids’ party, which goes on until midnight. The next day, the newly elected Prince and Princess Carnival will open the annual fun fair. One week later, on 14 March, adults can join in on the madness. There’s a devils’ parade at Biezenweide on Saturday, while carnival floats will make their way from the nearby town of Sint-Rochus to the centre of Halle on Sunday. The festivities and fun fair end on Monday with the burning of the carnival doll and fireworks at Graankaai. \ www.carnavalHalle.be

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february 11, 2015

Big fish, small pond

de mens emerge as a foursome on their effervescent new album christophe verbiest More articles by Christophe \ flanderstoday.eu

www.demens.be

Twenty-three years after their debut, Flemish rock band De Mens are still going strong. But things have changed slightly on their new album, Nooit genoeg (Never Enough).

he Big Three, they were called more than 20 years ago: Noordkaap, Gorki and De Mens, Flemish rock bands who appeared at the start of the 1990s with songs in Dutch, which was unusual at the time. Over the years, Noordkaap metamorphosed into other projects by singer Stijn Meuris. Gorki ended with the untimely death of Luc De Vos in November last year. But De Mens are still going strong. Nooit genoeg (Never Enough), their 11th opus, entered the Flemish charts at number five, the highest position ever for an album by this rock band from Flemish Brabant. Which means that this first new batch of songs in almost five years has been eagerly awaited. “You shouldn’t take that for granted. Every time, you should ask yourself if it’s still worth making a new album,” says De Mens singer and guitarist Frank Vander linden. He formed the band with his childhood friend, bass player Michel De Coster. In 1995, after two albums, Dirk Jans became their drummer, and they’ve been a trio ever since. But with Nooit genoeg, De Mens emerge as a foursome, adding to the line-up keyboard player David Poltrock. Poltrock has in fact been playing concerts with De Mens for years. He’s a busy bee – producer, keyboardist with Hooverphonic and regular session musician. Adding a new member after being a trio for so long is quite a step, admits Vander linden. “It’s like taking a second wife,” he says with a big grin. “Two weeks ago we asked him officially. David felt at home with us, both musically and personally.” Isn’t Vander linden worried that Poltrock’s busy schedule might conflict with his duties for De Mens? “It’s part of the deal that De Mens have priority. I don’t expect any problems. David formulated it nicely: He plays in De Mens and with Hooverphonic.” Poltrock also shared songwriting duties on Nooit genoeg. You can hear the difference from previous albums, but it’s immediately recognisable as De Mens. Nooit genoeg shows an evolution, not a revolution. “I don’t think that would be a good idea,” Vander linden says. “After all these years,

The new album by frank Vander linden and De Mens has been eagerly anticpated

we’re good at what we do, so it would be laughable if we started playing something completely different. We can’t change our DNA.”

I’m happy those early songs never saw the light of day Vander linden had just turned 30 when De Mens’ debut album was released in 1992. Before that, he had been working as a music journalist, a job where he could combine his passions for language and music. He had been playing music on the side for years. He used to sing in English, but everything shifted when he realised he should write and sing in Dutch. “It was weird that it took me so long to real-

ise that if I wanted to make music in which feelings resonated, I should use the language in which I felt these emotions. But looking back, I don’t regret the fact it took me so long. I’m happy those early songs never saw the light of day.” Now and then, Vander linden gives workshops for young musicians. One of his catchphrases is: “If you want to write interesting lyrics, you should become interesting people.” He feels lyrics are too often neglected by musicians. “They’ve been practising for years on their guitars, they have studied music formally, but the forefront of their work, the lyrics, is at the level of a 12-year-old.” He’s often heard the counter-argument that no one listens to the lyrics. “If that’s the case, why not play instrumentals?” The disadvantage of singing in Dutch is that the market for your music is limited. Vander linden laughs in agreement. “Touring abroad is an illusion you know you don’t have to indulge in. The same way I don’t have to dream of having a blonde quiff. Big fish, small pond is the highest possible goal.

It has its advantages. Some Flemish bands imploded because they were chasing their international dreams.” The only market outside of Flanders that is receptive to songs in Dutch is the Netherlands. But De Mens could never force a breakthrough. “We did our best, but it didn’t work,” says Vander linen. “They don’t understand us, I think. Of course, you can keep on hoping and investing time and money. But in the end, why would we skip well-paid shows in our country for those endeavours?” In 2013, Radio 1 asked 13 Flemish and Dutch writers to come up with lyrics for a song, destinedfor13artistsorbands.DeMenswere coupled with author Herman Brusselmans. “He gave me a bunch of verses that I could rearrange and edit,” says Vander linden. “He was fully aware that penning song lyrics is completely different from writing a novel or even poems. Even the great Hugo Claus has written some lyrics that didn’t make a lasting impression.” De Mens tour Flanders from April

More neW albuMs this Month guido belcanto Cavalier seul • Universal Barely a year after Guido Belcanto realised a sort of comeback (he’d never really gone away) with Balzaal der gebroken harten (Ballroom of Broken Hearts), he’s back with a new album, Cavalier seul. With the help of big names like De Mens frontman Frank Vander linden, who contributed a song, Bart Peeters, Jan De Smet and more, Belcanto zigzags from Lee Hazlewoodinfluenced orchestral pop via heartfelt

schlagers to Tex-Mex. The singer, who debuted in 1989 with Op zoek naar romantiek (Searching for Romance), is still a plain and unabashed romantic. On Cavalier seul he muses about love gone wrong, adultery and the pitfalls of being an aging troubadour.

douglas firs The Long Answer is No • Excelsior

las Firs, and their second outing, The Long Answer is No, is even better. Douglas Firs, spearheaded by Gertjan Van Hellemont, specialise in Americana. It results in both lively rock songs and more intimate musings. The latter (“22 22”, “That Kind of Thing”) in particular are an impressive showcase of Van Hellemont’s talent. Some of the powerful songs may lack a bit of originality at times, but that’s just nitpicking.

Shimmer & Glow, released in 2012, was a promising debut for the Ghent band Doug-

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WeeK in arts & culture Two venues apply for “major cultural institution” status

Flemish culture minister Sven Gatz has invited the Concertgebouw in Bruges and Ghent’s Vooruit to apply to be included on the list of the region’s major cultural institutions. The list currently features seven institutions,includingdeSingeland the Museum of Contemporary Art (M HKA) in Antwerp, the Ancienne Belgique concert hall in Brussels and Kunsthuis Opera/Ballet Vlaanderen, based between Antwerp and Ghent. The Concertgebouw opened in 2002 when the city was the European Capital of Culture, while Vooruit was constructed in 1913 as the socialist party’s culture and function hall. With the inclusion of the two organisations, he said, East and West Flanders would be represented, giving a more even regional spread of recognised institutions. The two institutions will now submit a candidacy for inclusion on the list.

besteburen launches in rotterdam

BesteBuren, an arts and culture festival subsidised by the Flemish and Dutch governments, launched last weekend in Rotterdam, with concerts by Flemish cabaret singer Brigitte Kaandorp, Dutch rapper Typhoon and Flemish jazz pianist Jef Neve. BesteBuren is a year-long collaboration between the Netherlands and Flanders to collaborate on artistic projects and introduce each other to culture across the border. Several Flemish politicians were at the opening at Rotterdam venue LantarenVenster, including Flemish minister-president Geert Bourgeois and culture minister Sven Gatz. The collaboration is like “a good marriage,” said Gatz, “where the partners value and encourage each other”. \ www.besteburen.eu

De keersmaeker part of Paris’ opera season

Following two successful runs of her piece Rain, Flemish choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker has again been invited by the National Opera of Paris to contribute to the 2015-16 season. Paris’ opera and ballet have released a joint programme for the first time, and De Keersmaeker’s Bartok/ Beethoven/Schonberg Repertory Evening will be performed 14 times starting on 22 October. The institution has also programmed a new nine-day version of De Keersmaeker’s Work to be performed in the Centre Pompidou in February 2016.

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Iconic stripes

veteran fashion designer Paul smith bares all in new exhibition katrien lindemans More articles by katrien \ flanderstoday.eu

www.modemuseumHasselt.be

Fashion Museum Hasselt has devoted an expansive, quirky exhibition to the more than 40-year career of multitalented designer Paul Smith, the man behind the iconic stripes. We talked to the British designer about his myriad inspirations, his singular aesthetic and that time he almost became a professional cyclist.

ashion exhibitions usually showcase a lot in the way of clothes and catwalk images. Hello, My Name Is Paul Smith, now on view at Hasselt’s Fashion Museum, takes a decidedly different approach. Hello focuses on what drives this legendary British designer, where he gets his inspiration and how his company grew from a tiny shop in central England to a world-famous brand sold across the world in some 70 countries. The exhibition was previously on view at the Design Museum London, where it drew more than 110,000 visitors. Visitors to the exhibition first make their way through a maze of Smith’s quintessential, multicoloured stripes. Behind the maze is a wall, covered with numerous framed pictures, objects and letters. “It’s a selection of what hangs on the walls of my office in Covent Garden,” the designer, in Hasselt for the opening, tells me. There are works by artists like Andy Warhol, David Hockney and Banksy, but also a lot of items from friends, family and fans. “I don’t know how or when it all started, but I get mail from fans and customers nearly every day,” Smith divulges. “Sometimes it’s a letter from a six-year-old, or a gift from somebody in Japan. There’s even one fan in the US who’s been sending me stuff for the last howevermany years. I’ve got cabinets full of things. It’s a bit like performance art.” Smith keeps almost everything he receives and stores it in his office. Together with the many pictures he snaps and the notes he keeps in his scrap-

“It’s a lot bigger here than in london”: Paul smith appreciates Hasselt’s fashion Museum

book, these objects and trinkets are his main source of design inspiration. “I get inspiration from everything; it’s all about the eclectic mix,” he says. “The world is full of brands and designers; I think it’s important to have a clear point of view.” Hello illustrates that singular aesthetic by way of an abundance of objects and colours, such as one entire wall plastered with 70,000 buttons. Smith’s career could have taken a very different turn. He left school at 16 to work at a clothing warehouse in his hometown of Nottingham. He never trained to be a designer; his real passion was sports. And if it hadn’t been for an accident at the age of 17, he might very well have become a pro cyclist. Instead, he designed a small men’s collection and opened his first shop in 1970, encouraged by Pauline Denyer, his then girlfriend and now wife. “It was called Paul Smith Vêtements pour l’Homme, a tiny shop with no windows,” Smith remembers. “I designed Paul smith’s telltale stripes can be found on coffee mugs, six shirts, two jumpers and

mobile phones and, of course, clothing the world over

two suits. They all just fit on a bed, which is how I presented my collection in Paris. My hotel room doubled as a showroom.” Hello shows a replica of that first shop in Nottingham; the evolution from the teensy space to his current shops around the world, shown in pictures on another wall, is impressive. From a minimalist outlet in London to a bright pink building on Melrose Avenue in LA, the stores all have their own identity.

I think it’s important to have a clear point of view His design studio, replicated for this exhibition, offers another insight into his design process. At the centre of the space is a long white table covered with strips of

until 7 June

fabric, thread, buttons and paint. “Anything could be a source of inspiration,” Smith says. During a team meeting in his office once, he continues, “I reached out to a plastic dinosaur because it had the perfect shade of green for the collection we were working on.” That colour could then be recreated in his design studio and matched to others for a new stripy pattern. According to Smith, now 68, the exhibition in Hasselt even inspired his current collection. “As the museum here is a lot bigger than the Design Museum in London, I had more space to exhibit some of my favourite pieces. I dug into my archive and found some larger pieces from the 1980s, which I revisited and reinvented in a modern way for the past winter and current summer collections. They feature slightly bigger shapes, and I added a pop of colour, too.” Besides designing 28 collections a year for all his different clothing lines, Smith also shoots his campaign images himself. “I’ve always loved taking pictures. One day someone suggested I’d shoot my own campaign pictures – which I’ve been doing ever since.” He’s even branched out as a photographer for several magazines, such as Icon Magazine in Germany and France’s Figaro. The iconic Paul Smith stripes have featured in several collaborations as well. There was the Evian water bottle in 2009, the Burton snowboard in 2010 and a collection of stamps for the Isle of Man in 2012. “When I redesigned the bottle of HP brown sauce in 2005, people were queuing at Harrods to get one,” Smith says, laughing. “They all bought 10 at a time, so they had to limit the number of bottles to three per person. It was crazy.” With his clothing line, perfume, shoe and watch collections, Smith is a busy man, to say the least. “I don’t have time to do all the things I get invited to do,” he says. “However, I couldn’t refuse the offer to redesign the children’s book Cars and Trucks and Things That Go by Richard Scarry, in honour of its 40th anniversary.” And there’s always a bit of room for his other passion, cycling. “I’ve designed bike shirts for the Giro tour in Italy and collaborated with Merciancyclesforalimited-edition series of bikes.” Smith points out that he’s a big fan of Flanders’ teams and of local cycling legend Eddy Merckx in particular. “He’s a great cyclist, and I’m hoping I’ll get the chance to see his exhibition in Brussels.”

fashion Museum Hasselt 11 Gasthuisstraat

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february 11, 2015

Because you can never have too many jazz festivals

concert

BRAND! 17-21 february

“B

leuven

www.nona.be

rand!”: Legend has it that’s what the citizens of medieval Mechelen yelled (“Fire!”) when they saw a reflection of the moon high up above their beloved SintRombouts Cathedral, explaining their nickname “Maneblussers” (Moon Extinguishers). In 2015, a poster with the same exclamation is all over the city, but fortunately the fire brigade need not respond. Just like ages ago, it’s only an imaginary fire, this time instigated by a crossfertilisation between musicians on city stages. Indeed: BRAND! is a brand (no pun intended) new jazz festival. Initiated by Mechelen’s Cultural Centre and the arts centre NONA, and supported by STORM!, the biennial jazz festival taking place around the same period in Ostend, BRAND! welcomes the young Flemish reed player Joachim Badenhorst as the central guest at its first edition.

Despite playing an opening solo concert in Sint-Rombouts and last year releasing two solo albums on his KLEIN label, the gifted improviser will mostly share the stage with colleagues and friends during the five days of the festival: first in a quartet accompanying the silent movie Nanook of the North, then backed by his former teachers Michael Moore and John Ruocco as a member of the Han Bennink Trio. Badenhorst can later be found playing a special set with his own Baloni trio and drummer Dré Pallemaerts and introducing the Carate Urio Orchestra (pictured), the seven-piece European band with which he will record an album at NONA right after the festival. Another key musician on the line-up is trumpeter Bart Maris, an adventurous improviser and band leader, backed by the young French quartet Walabix and in duet with cellist Lode

PerforMance

concert

aja monet

gisela João

15 february

Macy Gray: The Grammyaward winning American R&B and soul singer presents her latest album, The Way, a collection of nearly-dark love songs. 18 February 20.00, Zaal Het Depot, Martelarenplein 12

nOna and CC Mechelen

Pianofabriek, brussels www.Pianofabriek.be

Spoken word, simply put, is poetry that’s meant to be performed. At worst, it makes for dull, vacuous droning. At best, it offers an immersive experience that’s hard to put into words but that feels at once deeply real and intuitively true. Aja Monet (pictured), a New York poet and activist who’s performed at all the city’s iconic black cultural venues, knows how to do spoken word, and she’s coming to Brussels to give you a taste. Expect both uncomfortable and soothing confessions about the tough art of self-love, the mess that is family and what it’s like to be black in today’s America.

www.hetdepot.be

antwerp

Vercampt. In addition, BRAND! sees the world premiere performance of LABtrio, a fruitful collaboration between the Antwerp jazz/funk orchestra Brzzvll, the British/Trinidadian poet Antony Joseph and the Ghent quartet Nordmann. They play BRAND!’s closing party in celebration of their first album, the appropriately titled Alarm.

\ Tom Peeters

4 march, 20.00

get tic k

30CC, leuven www.30cc.be

13-22 february The Flanders Opera and British director Nigel Lowry take us back to ancient Egypt with this new production of Akhnaten. The pharaonic drama was written by American composer Philip Glass in the 1980s and has been staged around the world. Although the opera is performed mostly in archaic Akkadian, Egyptian and Hebrew, Glass designated

www.oPeraballet.be

one character as a go-between, summarising the action in the audience’s native language (in this case Dutch). Lowry also tapped one of Antwerp’s favourite sons Walter Van Beirendonck to design the stage costumes. It is the famed Flemish fashion designer’s firstever opera. A run in Ghent follows, and tickets are going fast, so don’t wait to book. \ GV

15 february, 11.00 For the seventh year, Belgium’s car museum Autoworld celebrates Valentine’s Day weekend with a Volkswagen rally through Brussels. Vintage “bug” and “beetle” owners from home and abroad have been invited to convene at Jubelpark in the morning hours before setting off on a soon-to-be-announced circuit from the eastern fringes of Brussels to the Atomium in the west, then back again. Motorists are welcomed at the end of the line with a nice cup of tea (champagne is probably not appropriate). Spectators are welcome all along the route. \ GV

The Magic of Boccherini: Tribute to the Italian classical-era composer and cellist, performed by Baroque orchestra B’rock, soprano Robin Johanssen and Roel Dieltiens on cello. 12 February 20.00, Sint-Quintinus Cathedral, Vismarkt

antwerp Stand-Up Antwerp English Comedy Cellar: Standup comedians Peter White, London Hughes and Rob Rouse perform in English, with resident MC Nigel Williams. 18 February 20.15, De Groene Waterman Bookstore (cellar), Wolstraat 7, reserve at takethemic@ me.com www.facebook.com/ standupantwerp

faMily brussels

love bugs Parade flanders Opera, antwerp

ets no w

PerforMance

event

akhnaten

classical

www.ccha.be

oPera

www.trixonline.be

Hasselt

Everyone knows that pop is all about the latest, hippest and youngest, but world music thrives on fresh blood, too. Portuguese fado singer Gisela João gave the genre a shot in the arm when she stepped into the spotlight in 2013. That same year she conquered the Ghent Festival of Flanders with two sold-out concerts. The young singer (pictured) is now a confirmed success and continues to cultivate the Flemish audience that embraced her from the start. This Leuven concert kicks off an eight-date tour with stops in Ghent, Antwerp, Brussels and more. \ Georgio Valentino

\ Linda A Thompson

Monster Magnet: American stoner rock for fans of bands like Fu Manchu, Clutch, Kyuss and Truckfighters, with a sound that ranges from 1970s hard rock and psychedelia to heavy metal and space rock. 12 February 19.30, Trix Antwerp, Noordersingel 28-30

autoworld, brussels www.autoworld.be

Disney On Ice: 100 Years of Magic: More than 65 Disney characters from 18 stories perform and sing songs on ice skates, including Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio and all of the Disney princesses. 11-15 February, Vorst Nationaal, Victor Rousseaulaan 208 www.vorstnationaal.be

activity Meise Winter Weekend: Bundle up and take a guided walk along the botanical garden’s most beautiful winter-hardy plants,includingsnowdrops, buy some winter bulbs and enjoy a warm drink. 14-15 February, National Botanical Garden, Nieuwelaan 38 www.plantentuin.be

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\ baCkPaGe

february 11, 2015

Talking Dutch Has anyone seen my teeth?

In response to: Debate over priority-to-the-right traffic rule Martin Thorpe If this will fix 10% of fatal and severe injuries then it must be worth doing.

derek blyth More articles by Derek \ flanderstoday.eu

very year, the Brussels transport authority MIVB publishes a list of objects left behind by passengers on its trams and buses. And every year, the list seems to get just a little bit weirder. You might be surprised by the sheer number of things that people lose on their way to work in the capital. Elk jaar verliezen onze reizigers gemiddeld 16,000 voorwerpen in het Brussels openbaar vervoer – Every year our passengers lose an average of 16,000 objects on Brussels public transport, it says in this year’s report. The transport authority used Twitter to release a list of de top 10 meest verloren voorwerpen – the top 10 most lost objects. The list is headed by obvious objects like kaarten – cards, tassen – bags and portefeuilles – wallets. And of course people are also forgetting countless handschoenen – gloves, paraplu’s – umbrellas and brillen – glasses. But it’s worrying to find that they are also shedding identiteitskaarten – identity cards and even smartphones. You find out more about the habits of your fellow travellers when you read the second list, which covers de 10 vreemdste verloren voorwerpen – the 10 most bizarre lost objects. How on earth can someone forget a viool – a violin, you might wonder. Or een plasmascherm van 80 cm – an 80cm plasma screen TV. Other passengers managed to leave behind een beenprothese – a prosthetic leg, een dokterstas – a doctor’s

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bag and een prototype van een militair toestel – a prototype of a military device. I don’t know about you, but that makes me a lot less happy about travelling on bus 71. Not forgetting, of course, the passenger who left behind een friteuse met vet – a deep fryer filled with fat, and someone else who managed to forget een koffer met sexspeeltjes – a suitcase filled with sex toys. All these objects are waiting to be collected in the transport authority office, along with een koersfiets – a racing bike, vals gebit – false teeth and een advocatentoga – a lawyer’s robe. The transport authority notes that twothirds of lost objects are never collected. That adds up to a lot of people who can get on fine without their identity cards, deep-fat friers and false teeth. It’s clear that people have to be more careful with their stuff when they travel by public transport. But if you do happen to forget something, you can always pop in to the lost and found office at Naamsepoort metro station. It’s all very straightforward. Just tell them what you lost, and they will hand it back. But there is one possible problem. Een verloren voorwerp wordt u teruggegeven op vertoon van uw identiteitskaart – You have to show your identity card to reclaim a lost object. Which is fine – as long as you haven’t left it on the tram.

Tweet us your thoughts @flandersToday

Poll

a. No. The rule is simple and easy to remember. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it

15% b. The rule should be retained in some situations, where it works well, but abandoned in others

8% c. Yes. Keeping it in place here and there will only make it more confusing. Put up yield signs and stop the insanity

77% this poll was posted to Facebook, an unprecedented number came to the website to vote accordingly. The result is convincing: More than three out of four of you want the rule scrapped entirely, and another 8% where local conditions allow. So who’s in favour? Some of

\ next week's question:

our Belgian readers, perhaps, who grew up with the law and see no reason to change it. The majority of those who expressed an opinion, in any case, seem to be expats. Will the rule disappear? Probably eventually, but later rather than sooner.

Nationalist party N-VA has proposed cutting off unemployment benefits after a certain period of time. How long do you think should that be? Log in to the Flanders Today website at www.flanderstoday.eu and click on VOTE!

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In response to: Sharp increase in dental problems in toddlers Caroline Drysdale Just stop feeding the kids sweets In response to: Six architects to compete for Beurs conversion into Beer Temple Dee Pitelen Beautiful building - hope they don’t ruin it! In response to: Ratebeer names Lennik Café as one of world’s best Ralph Elliott Lucky devils for going astray ... what a find ADAM LAMBERT @adamlambert Brussels: sad we had to cancel tonight. The last thing I’d want is to let u down but I’m under doctors orders to stay in bed and get well. Jonty Wareing @jonty This Airbnb houseboat in Ghent is absolutely incredible. To get to my room I have to cross five rooms, two ladders, and the bridge. Cara Ellison @caraellison Yey! Today at 13.45 I am doing a talk called ‘A Year On The Couch’ for http://www.screenshake.be/ in Antwerp. I hope to see you there!

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should belgium scrap the priority-to-the-right traffic rule, as motoring organisation vab suggests?

In a not-entirely-surprising result, our readers are crystal clear about how they feel about the traffic rule that gives priority to vehicles coming from the right: Get rid of it. Not only was there a wave of support for the idea, proposed by motoring organisation VAB, when

voices of flanDers toDay

royally red faces

“Dear Family, Sir, Madam, You recently received a card thanking you for the condolences you expressed to Their Majesties King Albert and Queen Paola on the occasion of the death of Her Majesty Queen Fabiola. To our great regret, the last line in the text mentioned Queen Paola instead of Queen Fabiola. Please accept our sincere apologies.” The Royal family blundered in sending out thank-you notes in which they referred to the death of Queen Paola

good sport

“I’m not going to sully myself with a dirty campaign. I wish John luck – though not too much luck.”

Socialist party president Bruno Tobback will be challenged for the leadership by former minister John Crombez (see p4)

lack of interest

“The alacrity with which the justice system seizes your money is in stark contrast with their tardiness in giving it back.” Lawyer Johan Platteau on a case in which the court blocked the bank account of a Russian man and has yet to pay him back even though the case was dropped in 2012

exodus

“As a Jew, I no longer feel safe in Brussels, and I want to say very clearly, more and more people are now thinking in concrete terms of emigrating.” The security situation threatens to drive the Jewish community from Belgium, according to one unnamed man, interviewed in De Morgen

[K\R