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DECEMBER 16, 2015 \ newsweekly - € 0,75 \ read more at www.flanderstoday.eu current affairs \ p2

politics \ p4

BUSiNESS \ p6

innovation \ p7

Ready for anything

Let there be light

education \ p9

art & living \ p10

Garden variety

Flanders’ Business Angels Network is financing energy kiosks in rural areas of western Africa without electricity

Nursing students in Genk are using human simulators to learn how to react in emergency situations

A new exhibition at Rockoxhuis in Antwerp proves the power of the flower in Low Countries art

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What’s the happs? The lads of Antwerp app development firm Happs are taking on dyslexia p7

Home sweet home

The City of Aalst enlists residents to test specialised living quarters for the elderly Alan Hope More articles by Alan \ flanderstoday.eu

The City of Aalst and local businesses have enlisted the help of elderly residents to help them develop products and services that truly answer their needs. The initiative is part of a programme that aims to address the looming challenges in elderly care and, in the process, give seniors a greater voice.

t the end of last month, the mayor and city council of Aalst inaugurated one of Flanders’ most technologically advanced flats, equipped with remarkably cutting-edge equipment, some of it not yet

available on the market. But the apartment, situated in the centre of town, is not intended for a Russian oligarch or an East Flanders hedgefund manager. Its target buyers are seniors, and the aim is simple: to allow older people to continue living independently for as long as possible. The Pro Domo test has been installed in the concierge flat on the ground floor of what was previously a school on Aalst’s Graanmarkt. It’s still brand new and has the impersonal look of a hotel-apartment for business travellers. Then again, no-one has spent a night there yet, let alone had the

chance to adapt the surroundings to their own tastes. Appearances can be deceptive, however. What looks like stock furniture is actually a lot of modern design and technology. There’s a side table that swings out at a right angle to make space for four, while a desk folds out to provide a spare bed for a relative or caregiver. The bed is hospital grade, with every permutation of angle and height controlled electronically. The kitchen has a dishwasher at eye level to avoid bending and an induction cooker that makes accidental burns a thing of the past. “A great deal of attention was paid to accessibility in the continued on page 5

\ CURRENT AFFAIRS

January train strikes announced Rail unions plan five days of strikes in protest at new labour measures Alan Hope Follow Alan on Twitter \ @AlanHopeFT

nions representing staff of the rail authority NMBS and rail infrastructure company Infrabel have announced five days of industrial action in January. The plans include one 48-hour strike from 22.00 on 5 January to 22.00 on 7 January, and one 72-hour strike from 20 January to 23 January. Unions and management met last week to discuss a labour agreement, but unions could not accept the proposals. The main obstacle was new productivity targets the NMBS plans to introduce on 1 January, which would mean working one hour more a week, with no increase in pay. The agreement of the unions is not required for that measure, but the unions are not prepared to accept it as-is. “There was no discussion over this matter,” a union spokesperson said after the meeting. “The employer has laid out its

vision and refuses to listen. They mean to push this measure through regardless.” Both management and unions stressed they were willing to keep talks going to avert the strikes. Rail users’ group TreinTramBus described the strike intention as “completely out of proportion”. Five days of strikes in one month is the worst that rail users have had to face in decades, spokesperson Jan Vanseveren said. “The strikes, as always, affect passengers who are in no way responsible for the problems the unions wish to bring to light,” he said, noting that the five days all fall within the period of university exams. NMBS, meanwhile, has refused to discuss union financing in the face of strike threats. In the absence of a new agreement, the system by which NMBS contributes about €10 million a year to the funding of the unions will run out in January.

Health Council asks for more examination into effects of 1999 dioxin crisis

KAA Gent reach the final 16 of Champions League KAA Gent became the first Belgian side in 15 years to reach the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League last week, after their 2-1 victory over Russian champions Zenit St Petersburg. A capacity crowd at the Ghelamco Arena watched the Flemish side, who won their first Belgian Pro League title last May, secure safe passage from the group stages of the world’s premier club contest. Hein Vanhaezebrouck’s team were given raucous cheers after Laurent Depoitre and Danijel Milicevic scored the goals to send the Buffalos through in second place in the group,14 years after Anderlecht reached the second phase of the competition. Surprise starter Moses Simon was at the heart of Gent’s attacks, and it was one of his threatening runs down the left that prompted the opener. The 20-year-old cleverly delayed his cross, before whipping in a ball that Depoitre guided into the far corner.

With third placed Valencia slipping to a home defeat against Lyon, Gent did not even need a point to ensure their progression, but their dominant firsthalf performance helped them end Zenit’s perfect record in the group stage. “We knew what we needed to do. We needed to take the initiative,” Vanhaezebrouck said. “We couldn’t do it the typical Belgian way, putting five players at the back.” The victory capped a remarkable week for Gent coach Vanhaezebrouck, who was also awarded the Raymond Goethals trophy as Belgium’s Manager of the Year. Accepting the award, Vanhaezebrouck said that his players were “full of confidence” ahead of the Zenit match. “We always try to take it a step higher – you have never reached your limit – but I would be satisfied if my players deliver what they have delivered at the previous Champions League matches.” \ Leo Cendrowicz

Belgium’s Superior Health Council and the Scientific Committee of the Federal Food Agency have advised the government to further examine the public health consequences of the 1999 dioxin crisis. In the spring of 1999, news broke that animal feedstock in Belgium had been contaminated with the chemical polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB). In April of this year, professor Nik Van Larebeke of Ghent University and the Free University of Brussels (VUB) said that the gravity of the situation was – and continues to be – minimised by some politicians. The professor stated that the crisis might have led to at least 20,000 cancer cases among women, 22,000 more cases of diabetes and 24,000 additional cases of high blood pressure. He admitted, however, that

it was difficult to show a causal connection between any given case and the crisis. Following Van Larebeke’s statements, the federal ministers of public health and agriculture ordered experts to examine the issue. The experts stated in their report, issued last week, that they could find no “solid scientific evidence to link the crisis with health effects”. They said that Van Larebeke had made “multiple assumptions that cannot be verified”. But the study does call for further research. New studies, the experts said, should take into account the possible effects of very low doses of dioxins. They also call for a global evaluation of the health effects of dioxins in collaboration with the European Food Safety Authority. \ Andy Furniere

Experts ask for end to euthanasia based on mental health problems Euthanasia should no longer be carried out on the basis of psychological suffering alone, according to 65 Belgian psychiatrists, psychologists and professors in an op-ed published by De Morgen last week. On average, 2,000 people a year in Belgium choose to end their lives through euthanasia. Most are terminally ill, but about 3% of them request the procedure because of unbearable psychological suffering. In the past two years, there were about 100 such cases. The experts said they were “alarmed by the trivialisation” of the option. It cannot be objectively determined whether psychological suffering is incurable, they wrote, and pointed out that feelings of despair are typical of depression.

Wim Distelmans, palliative health-care professor at the Free University of Brussels (VUB) and president of the Federal Euthanasia Commission, emphasised that the option is only available to those who have chronic and serious mental health problems. “It is only for those who have tried different medications, therapies and therapists for many years,” he said, adding that some patients, knowing they can turn to euthanasia if necessary, have found the strength to carry on. Distelmans has received support from political parties Open-VLD and SP.A. Open-VLD president Gwendolyn Rutten told Radio 1 that the measure is not available to just anyone who suffers from depression. \ AF

€3 billion

€840,000 left to be paid by KBC to the government of Flanders, aid the ailing bank received in 2008 during the banking crisis. The debt will be paid five years ahead of schedule

per year saved by Brussels public transport authority MIVB, thanks to Eco Drive, a technique that involves lower maximum speeds and smoother braking, using 12.5% less electricity

€4.5 million total places in Dutch-speaking schools in Brussels after the Flemish Community Commission (VGC) invests €20 million next year. The money will also be spent on child-care before school begins

cost in 2014 to clean up rubbish dumped along motorways and regional roads in Flanders. The agency picked up 3,359 tonnes of rubbish and issued 126 summonses for fly-tipping

per passenger claimed by consumer organisation TestAankoop from rail authority NMBS in a class-action suit protesting against eight rail strikes between December 2014 and October 2015

DECEMBER 16, 2015

WEEK in brief The former air base at Brustem, Limburg, has been declared open air space for drones, with the creation of a test centre for the remotecontrolled aircraft. The former Limburg Regional Airport will be taken over by a number of companies working in the sector, and the base will be used to develop, test and sell drones. The site has a landing strip of three kilometres, and drones will be able to fly at heights up to 600 metres. Bert Van Der Weeën, better known as Meester Bert, has been named best teacher in Brussels in a contest organised by the Brussels Education Expert Network and FM Brussel. Meester Bert teaches at the Royal Athenaeum in Etterbeek, where he has been a teacher in the primary section for 30 years.

face of flanders will have to pay for the salvage of its cargo ship Flinterstar, which sank off the coast of Zeebrugge two months ago following a collision with a gas tanker. Flinter officially abandoned the ship in October, which in maritime law can mean that the state in whose waters the vessel sank is responsible for salvage. Federal North Sea minister Bart Tommelein refused to pay and took the case to court. Brussels public transport authority MIVB is expecting its new plan for free wi-fi in the Brussels metro to be approved by the board in January. The first station would then make the service available later in the year. Other stations would follow one by one, a spokesperson said.

Last season’s final episode of the popular TV soap Thuis was in breach of the Flemish government’s media decree and not appropriate for minors, according to Flemish media regulator VRM. The episode showed a man committing suicide by hanging, including a long shot of his twitching feet. The episode was broadcast too early in the evening for such a scene, said VRM and contained no warning of shocking content.

The city of Grimbergen has approved the installations of two huge wind turbines on Parking C of Heizel, adjacent to the planned new national stadium. The turbines will provide wind energy for residents. The plan has been opposed by airspace controller Belgocontrol. The turbines are perfectly able to exist side by side with the stadium, energy alderman Eddie Boelens said. Parking C is on Grimbergen’s territory but is owned by Brussels-City.

Flemish mobility minister Ben Weyts has revealed the basics of his new proposal for driving test regulations, which scraps the possibility of taking a test after three months of driving lessons. The exact term is not yet decided but could be as long as nine months. New is the back-to-school day, where learners must return to a driving school after six to nine months of driving experience to be evaluated. The new rules are intended to cut road deaths – 400 in 2014 – and will be introduced in 2017.

People who have bought tickets to one of the Adele concerts next June from agencies other than the one approved for the sale could find themselves being turned away. Adele’s three concerts in Antwerp sold out in minutes, with black market prices now approaching €3,000 a ticket. The re-sale of tickets at higher prices is illegal in Belgium. Approved agency Tele Ticket Service and concert organisers Gracia Live are examining ways to make the re-sold tickets invalid.

A Bruges court has ruled that the Dutch shipping company Flinter

Ghent-based package delivery service Bubble Post has been

OFFSIDE Perils of perception Belgium is the seventh most ignorant country in the world. Not as bad as calling it a “failed state”, but a bold declaration all the same, and one made by pollsters Ipsos MORI. The ignorance, fortunately, concerns a very limited field of facts about current affairs. The Perils of Perception survey interviewed 25,556 people in 33 countries from, Argentina to the US. They were asked a series of questions on topical issues such as: In every 100 people in your country aged 25-64, how many do you think have completed education to university degree level? Or: Out of every 100 working-age women in your country, how many do you think are in employment?

The results were, as statisticians say, all over the place. Asked what

named Mobility Champion 2015 by the liberal union for the self-employed. The company is “a role model in the field of ecological transport,” the prize jury said. Bubble Post accepts goods on the outskirts of 19 cities in Belgium and the Netherlands, delivering the packages via pedal vehicles or small electric vehicles to locations in city centres. The service both lowers CO2 emissions and improves traffic congestion in city centres. When works on Walpoortstraat in the centre of Ghent are complete in 2017, the section in front of the Minard theatre will become a square, and it will be named after the theatre’s former director, Romain Deconinck, the city council has decided. Last week was the 100th anniversary of Deconinck’s birth. He died in 1994, after a career in which he devoted himself to theatre in Ghent, in particular popular theatre, as well as the survival of the Gents dialect. The Brussels police have arrested a fifth suspect in a series of kidnappings on and around the campus of the Free University of Brussels (VUB). The gang would lure victims to their vehicle, snatch them and force them to hand over mobile phones, bank cards and PIN codes. Three of the gang were arrested red-handed as they tried to kidnap a 70-year-old man. A court in Leuven has sentenced a 37-year-old woman from Rotselaar, Flemish Brabant, to a lifelong ban on keeping animals, after she was found guilty of extreme abuse. The woman kept three horses and a pony, the three horses dying of malnutrition in the space of a year. The pony was found in a serious condition by a neighbour, who alerted the police. She was also fined €1,800.

tinyurl.com/PerilsBelgium

proportion of a country’s wealth is owned by the richest 1%, Belgians guessed 50% on average, while the answer is “only” 18%. Asked how many people over the age of 20 were overweight or obese, Belgians answered 36%. In reality, the figure is 53%. “Across all 33 countries in the study, each population gets a lot wrong,” Ipsos MORI managing director Bobby Duffy pointed out, rather needlessly. “We are often most incorrect on factors that are widely discussed in the media or highlighted as challenges facing society.” Of the relatively few countries polled, Belgium came seventh, behind Mexico, India, Brazil, Peru, New Zealand and Colombia. \ AH

Reinhilde Decleir The first edition of the Equality Festival took place in Ghent last week, and the first ever Equality Prize was awarded. The recipient was actor and director Reinhilde Decleir of the Antwerp theatre company Tutti Fratelli. Reinhilde must find it frustrating that the first thing anyone ever says about her is that she’s the younger sister of Jan Decleir, the long-time and highly respected actor of stage and screen. But while Reinhilde might be less visible, she’s no less revered – for different reasons. While Jan is the equivalent of, say, John Gielgud, Reinhilde is more like Corin Redgrave: a great actor whose talents sometimes take second place to their political and social engagement. Born in Niel, Antwerp province, in 1948, Reinhilde followed her older brothers Dirk (who died in 1974) and Jan into the theatre. She studied at the Studio Herman Teirlinck in Antwerp, going on to work with numerous theatre groups, from Maastricht to Amsterdam via all of Flanders. Her first social-artistic work was her production of Keldermondvertellingen (roughly: Narratives from the Gutter) from the book by Jozef Buerbaum. That led to a number of popular productions

with Antigone Theatre, after which she became artistic director of her own company, Tutti Fratelli. The name means “All men are brothers,” and the group works on theatre by and for the disadvantaged – the intellectually disabled, psychiatric patients and other often marginalised groups. At the same time, she has appeared in many high-profile TV series, including Van vlees en bloed (Of Flesh and Blood), Cordon, De Ronde and Aspe, as well as the classic children’s series Kulderzipken. “We want to celebrate people whose engagement is an inspiration,” said An Pauwels of festival organisers Curieus, announcing the award. “I’m very happy to receive this award,” Decleir told regional channel ATV. “But it’s mainly important for the Fratelli, because it’s really for them.” She explained her manner of working. “You have to start from a position of equality, not that the director stands above others, because then you’re no better than a dictator. You need to be tough, because the work demands it, but also loving. And more than anything else, a bit of humour.”

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.

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 Mediahuis AdPro Contributors Rebecca Benoot, Bartosz Brzezi´nski, Derek Blyth, Leo Cendrowicz, Katy Desmond, Andy Furniere, Diana Goodwin, Julie Kavanagh, Catherine Kosters, Toon Lambrechts, Katrien Lindemans, Ian Mundell, Anja Otte, Tom Peeters, Senne Starckx, Christophe Verbiest, Denzil Walton General manager Hans De Loore Publisher Mediahuis NV

Editorial address Gossetlaan 30 - 1702 Groot-Bijgaarden tel 02 467 23 06 editorial@flanderstoday.eu subscriptions tel 03 560 17 49 subscriptions@flanderstoday.eu or order online at www.flanderstoday.eu Advertising 02 467 24 37 advertising@flanderstoday.eu Verantwoordelijke uitgever Hans De Loore

\ POLITICS

5TH COLUMN Off the rails

Trade unions used to be a pillar of Belgian society. In the social market economy, employers and employees were partners that co-operated to their mutual benefit. In this model, there was no real antagonism between unions and management. That model is under pressure. Many people now view unions as powerful but outdated institutions. N-VA and Open VLD in particular have never been great champions of the unions. Both parties promote “the right to work” whenever union strikes disrupt public life. As for public services like transport, they believe in “guaranteed service”, which the unions see as an affront to the right to strike. CD&V and SP.A, the parties that the unions were closely linked to in the past, are reluctant to continue the association. When it comes to national railway service NMBS, the unions are definitely on the losing side. The federal government has promised to increase productivity, prompting NMBS management to propose changes to a generous system of labour and bonuses. As an agreement with the unions could not be found, the management has threatened to push through the changes unilaterally – altering the nature of the “partnership” between management and unions. The unions reacted furiously, announcing five days of strikes in January. This, however, has blown up in their faces, with public opinion – angry commuters weary of being stranded – staunchly against them. With the sheer length of the strike – one 48-hour strike and one of 72 hours – the unions seem to have overplayed their hand. They have lost not just the public’s sympathy, but that of the political parties that already looked upon them with suspicion. The situation is reminiscent of what happened to education unions at the beginning of the century when they announced a strike to retain a system of early retirement at 57. The public, unaware that such a system even existed, was outraged. In the end, many teachers refused to strike. The rail unions are now trying their best to limit the loss of public support, agreeing to negotiate further. Some train drivers have even offered to transport students to their exams by car. But whatever the outcome, they will have to be resigned to the fact that they will never again be the magnificent force they once were. \ Anja Otte

Nine Flemish cities to get anti-radicalisation subsidies

Government funds and staff to co-ordinate projects in high-risk areas Alan Hope More articles by Alan \ flanderstoday.eu

he government of Flanders is granting aid worth €568,000 to nine municipalities to help them tackle the problem of radicalisation among young people, minister for home affairs Liesbeth Homans (pictured) has announced. At the same time, the nine cities will each appoint an official to co-ordinate the campaign against radicalisation. The financing is going to: Vilvoorde €85,000, Antwerp €82,300, Ghent €71,041, Aalst €61,400, Maaseik and Dilsen-Stokkem (Limburg) €60,295, Menen (West Flanders) €58,500, Zele (East Flanders) €56,775, Mechelen €55,000 and Ostend €38,000. The government approved a plan of action against radicalisation last April and launched

a call for projects. “This is our way of fulfilling our promise to provide additional support to municipalities that have an acute problem,” Homans said. “Municipalities are our first part-

ner in the prevention of violent radicalisation. We have seen many good initiatives being started up, but they sometimes lack co-ordination. These subsidies should help cities manage the projects.” Among the cities on the list, Zele (population 20,700) is the most surprising. “Our police have knowledge of IS sympathisers living here,” mayor Patrick Poppe told De Morgen. “But it’s not enough to gather police intelligence. We’ve recently appointed a social worker to oversee the issue, and we have a platform for information for schools. This subsidy will allow us to take on someone else to oversee the whole project. During a visit to Vilvoorde, I saw how important that is.”

Flanders chooses three Unesco projects for support

Budget in jeopardy because of Oosterweel, say auditors

The government of Flanders has selected three Unesco projects to support for the period 2015-2016. The projects will receive a total of €900,000. One project involves helping communities keep an inventory of their own intangible cultural heritage. Unesco is committed to the protection of cultural heritage practices and customs and asks local communities to keep an inventory. The project Flanders is supporting will provide 70 training sessions in seven African countries, including Botswana, Zimbabwe and Malawi. Flanders is also funding the protection of marine zones of outstanding universal value threatened by climate change,

The government of Flanders’ investment in the Oosterweel connection, a construction project planned to close the Antwerp ring road, is a threat to budgetary plans, the Court of Auditors has warned. The project will push the budget into the red over the next few years, forcing the government to create new deals with the other governments of Belgium as part of the stability programme. Last month, the government of Flanders announced that it had achieved a balanced budget for the coming years and would possibly see small surpluses. Those predictions, according to the Court of Auditors, are only possible if the costs of the Oosterweel link, amounting to at least half a billion euros a year, are kept out of the picture. The government has previously said that it regards Oosterweel as an investment that will pay for itself. But the toll income with which the investment will be paid back, the court says, will only start coming in after 2022, outside the scope of budget forecasts. The government has forecast a balanced budget in 2017 and 2018, while the court reckoned, all financial activities taken together, on a deficit of €136.3 million in 2017, rising to €941 million in 2018. \ AH

overfishing and pollution. The project applies a system of planning based on research from Ghent University, to ensure sustainability of marine areas by, for example, fighting illegal fishing and damaging dredging work. The third project is an extension of a secondment of a member of staff from Flanders’ department of foreign affairs to the Unesco office. “The activities of Unesco offer Flanders an important opportunity to adopt an international profile,” said minister-president Geert Bourgeois, “and to take part in the development of programmes that have a major impact on Flemish policy.” \ AH

PM wants command unit to lead response to terrorist threats Some of the measures taken by the government after the terrorist attacks in Paris may in hindsight have been exaggerated, prime minister Charles Michel said in interviews at the weekend. He proposed that a command unit be established to run matters in a similar emergency. “I would rather be criticised for doing too much than too little,” he said. “When a government is confronted with such a crisis, as prime minister you want to take the best decision possible.” One week after the Paris attack, the threat of an attack in Brussels became concrete and imminent, and the threat level was raised from 3 to 4. That led to a closure of the metro, shopping centres, bars and other public places. “At a moment like that you don’t think of the political consequences,” Michel said. “The only thing you think of is: What can and I do and what should I do? There’s no time for a lengthy analysis, and I didn’t hesitate.” The closing of commercial centres, however, was the decision of the mayors of the Brussels-Capital Region. “Then one decided to close his swimming pool, another a sports centre, and finally it was decided that we would close the shopping centres,” said Michel. “Everyone was trying to do their best at their own level. But looking back, things clearly went too far.” The situation was a good lesson in how to manage a crisis situation in future, he said. “What we need is some kind of command unit, so we don’t forget to keep things in perspective.” \ AH

Ministers from Flanders and Germany meet to discuss common challenges Flemish minister-president Geert Bourgeois visited Düsseldorf in the German region of North Rhine-Westphalia last week, where he and six other ministers took part in a joint meeting of the two regional governments. North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) is the most populous of the constituent states that make up Germany and includes four of the country’s largest cities: Cologne, Düsseldorf, Dortmund and Essen. The first contacts between Flanders and NRW took place last November, when Bourgeois and his NRW counterpart, Hannelore Kraft, expressed the intention to strengthen ties. The meeting last week covered eight areas of co-operation, including labour market integration and radicalisation – topics which, as in Belgium, are the responsibility of Germany’s constituent states. The two governments also discussed the Ijzeren Rijn rail link between

Flemish minister-president Geert Bourgeois with his NRW counterpart Hannelore Kraft

Antwerp and Mönchengladbach, chemical industry strategy, health and welfare, energy and transport. “We have profited greatly from an exchange of knowledge with our neighbours,” Kraft said. “Both of our regions are confronted with the same challenges, such as how to cope with the refugee crisis and integration into the labour market.” \ AH

\ COVER STORY

DECEMBER 16, 2015

Home sweet home

Aging in Place is testing homes for the elderly, with great attention to detail aalst.be/aipa

continued from page 1

design and the organisation of the flat,” says Peggy De Smet of Ageing in Place Aalst (AIPA), part of a research programme around challenges in elderly care. “There are wide sliding doors between the rooms, electrical sockets and a dishwasher within easy reach and a kitchen table and work surfaces with space for a wheelchair to fit under.” The apartment also uses antibacterial composite materials, and the floor and wall coverings are anti-slip at crucial places. The bathroom is also equipped with a walk-in shower with a seat, while the toilet has armrests. On top of that, the apartment is energy saving and fitted with electronic communications and security equipment, including an alarm-call facility and a video entry system. The apartment has two functions. On the first 10 days of the month, it’s a showroom for guided visits. For the rest of the month, it’s available for occupation for anything from a day up to a week by interested parties. According to Elise Van Opstal of AIPA, there’s now a sizeable test group of seniors in and around Aalst who are willing to be lab rats for new devices and processes aimed at home care. Some of them will be taking advantage of lodging in the apartment and reporting back on their experience to allow Aalst and its business partners to refine their products, and perhaps even develop new ones. “The idea is that people can come and live there for a while to test the apartment out and give us their feedback,” says Van Opstal. “Nobody has actually tried it yet since it only opened recently, but we plan to start in the New Year.” The AIPA project is one of six in Flanders that use a network of seniors and health-care end users to test new products from the care industry. Van Opstal: “We also have a number of products provided to us that people can test in their own homes – armchairs, dining chairs, beds. They can take them home and try out how they work in a normal living situation.” The feedback from those prod-

zorgproeftuinen.be

We’re a closeknit community, with an eye on the needs of all our residents © Courtesy AIPA

A participant at a recent conference on care living labs in Flanders (top). All six labs rely on a network of seniors and health-care end users to test new products and living spaces such as the one in Aalst

ucts, she says, goes to the partner companies involved. “Here in Aalst, we have a test panel of end users – older people but also health-care professionals and family caregivers.” That amounts to nearly 700 people ready to take part in testing as well as participate in group discussions

and surveys, and this way raise any problems they’ve experienced. “And that helps companies adjust their products to respond to users’ needs,” explains Van Opstal. For Buro II & Archi+I, the architects behind the Pro Domo apartment, that interaction is more important than the technology or

design of the test flat. “The innovative aspect of the project lies not in the technological gadgets, but in the co-operation between the various suppliers and the integration of their products in the home,” says architect Bart Decloedt. “It’s not about design; it’s about the user experience and the improvements in comfort.” The project has the full support of local businesses and the care sector, and for good reason: Healthcare for the elderly is a potentially huge growth market

as populations grow older – and as those older populations steadily become more technologically savvy. The image of an elderly person unable to operate a mobile phone or CD player is already a thing of the past; the first generation of home computer users is now at retirement age. Internet pioneers will soon follow, and before we know it the elderly will be as competent as any young person today – and possibly more demanding. The previous Flemish government recognised that potential with its Flanders Care initiative, as part of its Flanders in Action programme. Flemish innovation minister Philippe Muyters was among those present when the Aalst apartment was presented at the end of November. Meanwhile, federal health minister Maggie De Block recently promised €40 million in investments in e-health for hospitals – money that will find its way into the hands of companies who create digital health applications or know how to use them. Leading the way are companies like Boone, a furniture manufacturer from Poperinge, West Flanders. They made the fold-away bed for the Pro Domo apartment, but they’re already old hands in the niche market for seniors. In 2009, Boone CEO Jan Van Hecke set up PRoF (Patient Room of the Future), an international platform for open innovation in senior health care. PRoF now has 140 partners. “There’s a great deal of expertise around on the subject of living at home longer,” says Sarah Smeyers, alderwoman for social affairs and housing in Aalst. “Flemish companies are developing new products, caregivers have concrete needs, and social organisations have specific requirements. We want to go further than the theory.” The Pro Domo apartment, she continues, “isn’t just a gimmick. Over the last few years, Aalst has positioned itself as the care-city. We’re a close-knit community, with an eye on the needs of all our residents, including those who are not as young as they used to be.”

Care living labs Set up in 2013 to promote innovation and new products and processes in health care for seniors, there are six livings labs for senior care across Flanders. AIPA in Aalst, which created the Pro Domo apartment. Online Buurten in Bruges and Ostend, which promotes the right of seniors to remain in their homes longer. They support

residential neighbourhoods with the help of businesses, non-profits and the two university colleges of West Flanders. InnovAGE in Leuven, which aims to provide proper care to seniors with serious healthcare needs while at the same time guaranteeing a maximum degree of autonomy. Actief Zorgzame Buurt in Antwerp and Brussels, which organises health care in

an urban setting through the creation of neighbourhood networks for “socially responsible care”. Professionals and informal caregivers support each other and are supported in turn by local networks. Living & Care Lab in Turnhout, which allows a network of volunteers in the Kempen region to test new innovations from businesses that aim to make older people more active and allow them to

remain in their homes longer. Careville Limburg – Moving Care in Genk and Hasselt, which concentrates on the mobility of seniors requiring care and the flexibility of caregivers in providing new products and processes. Like most other projects, this one has a local network of volunteers to help businesses in the process of co-creation.

\ BUSINESS

week in business Banking KBC Flanders’ largest financial institution is launching a Start-it Fund in January to help finance some of the start-ups located in the bank’s five incubators, the latest of which opened last week in Ghent.

Banking Keytrade The local on-line banking and trading platform, owned by Crelan bank, is being acquired by the French Credit Mutuel Arkea, operator of the Fortuneo trading brokerage, for €250 million.

Cars D’Ieteren Volkswagen group’s exclusive local distributor has estimated that the impact of the emissions scandal has prevented the sale of some 1,260 vehicles. However, the Brussels-based company, which had a 22% market share last year, only expects a slight dip in its results.

Foams Recticel The Brussels-based specialist of polyurethane foams is investing €10 million in its Wevelgem facility to increase its capacity of insulation products and add additional storage space. The new extension is expected to come on stream in 2017.

Insulation Unilin The Waregem-based producer of Quick-step parquet, floor coverings and insulation material has acquired Ireland’s Xtratherm, producer of insulation plates for the building industry. The move will strengthen Unilin’s position in several European markets.

Steel cables Bekaert The steel wire manufacturer, based in Zwevegem, West Flanders, is merging its cabling activities with the British Bridon cable manufacturer to create the Bridon Bekaert Ropes Group, 67% owned by Bekaert. The move will create a world market leader for the product.

Supermarkets Cru The upmarket subsidiary of the Colruyt supermarket group is planning two more outlets in Flanders – one in Wijnegem, on the banks of the Albert Canal, and one in the centre of Ghent – next spring. Cru currently has one location in Overijse.

Flemish business angels fund energy kiosks in Africa Rechargeable electric lamps provided to rural communities Alan Hope More articles by Alan \ flanderstoday.eu

group of Flemish investors, the Business Angels Network (BAN), has agreed to provide financing to Bruges-based co-operative Energy Kiosks, which develops sustainable electric lighting projects in western Africa. The company’s solar kiosks are a unique concept based on modern, sustainable and affordable technology and have already been installed in more than 150 remote villages in Togo, with pilot projects starting in neighbouring Benin and later in Cameroon. A solar, or energy, kiosk turns sunlight into electricity. The kiosks are installed in rural areas without electricity. Villagers can rent rechargeable lamps from the kiosk and also charge their lamps there, as well as other devices such as mobile phones. Each kiosk is run by a local busi-

ness, trained by the Bruges company. Energy Kiosks launched in 2013 after entrepreneur Bert Bernolet spent two years developing the idea through his project Solar zonder grenzen (Solar Without Borders). BAN Vlaanderen became involved a year later, with some of the network’s members setting up a consortium and appointing a representative to the Energy Kiosks board. “Energy Kiosks is a unique sort of investment, and at the same time an illustration of how risk capital and entrepreneurship can ensure employment, welfare and wealth in developing regions,” said Reginald Vossen, director-general of BAN Vlaanderen. “This project is clear proof that our business angels are prepared to invest in strong enterprise across all borders.”

Agreement reached on port employment reforms

SMEs get new tax deduction for digital investments

The federal government has reached an agreement with the European Commission and industry for the reform of the labour laws in Belgium’s ports. The reforms will be passed into law by next July and introduced in practice over a period of four years, federal labour minister Kris Peeters said. Special labour conditions for port workers have existed since 1973, with the introduction of the Major Law, which says that only recognised port workers can operate within port areas, making harbour areas essentially a closed shop. The EU considers that a restraint of free movement of labour. At the same time, port businesses, such as the Katoen Natie logistics and shipping company in Antwerp, have lobbied for reform as a way of escaping the stranglehold of port unions. It was a complaint from Katoen Natie boss Fernand Huts that pushed the Commis-

Small businesses now have a tax deduction worth 13.5% of the cost of investments in digital technology. The measure should encourage the companies to invest more in, for example, a web shop or enhanced computer security. The deduction already exists for concrete investments, such as production machinery. That has now been extended to include digital investments. At present, Belgian companies make 2.4% of their income from online sales; the average for Europe is 6%. Many small companies, in particular those run by older bosses, either fail to see the interest in switching to digital or are unable to devote the time to learning. The new measure provides an incentive to make the move, covering investments such as software, website development, e-commerce, payment terminals and cyber-security. It is also retroactive to last January, allowing deductions for any digital investment made since the start of the year. \ AH

sion to force Belgium to reform. Under the new law, port workers will still require training and a certificate, but recognition will no longer be under the sole control of the port employment office known as the Kot - thus opening up the possibility of, for example, temp agencies supplying non-union labour to port businesses. “The agreement reached today is an inevitable modernisation of the way in which port work is organised in this country,” Peeters said. “We accepted our responsibility and invested heavily in negotiations in order to reach an accord.” \ AH

€50 million investment in Plopsaland De Panne Amusement park operator Plopsa is investing €50 million over the next five years in the Plopsaland park in De Panne, CEO Steve Van den Kerkhof has announced. The group aims to attract two million visitors a year to the park by 2020, compared to the 1.6 million it attracts now. Van den Kerkhof was speaking at the opening of the park’s new restaurant, called Prinsessia Kasteel (Princess Castle), which represented an investment of €3 million. The next stage is the construction of Heidiland, featuring a 600-metre roller coaster and an Austrian village. The ride should be open by next summer, with the whole area completed by early 2017 for a price of €7 million. The major part of the total investment will go towards a new hotel for €16 million, offering no-frills rooms at democratic prices. The Plopsa Group runs six theme parks in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, based around popular characters of Studio 100 TV shows. The De Panne park, formerly Meli-Park, was taken over in 1999 and now employs 320 people. \ AH

Flemish cuisine promotion launched to international tourists Flanders’ tourism minister Ben Weyts has launched a new promotion called Flanders Food Faculty. Flemish cuisine deserves to be better known in other countries and become a bigger attraction to tourists, he said. “We need to have a bit more pride in what we have to offer here in Flanders,” Weyts said. “We need to promote it better at home and abroad. That’s why we’re joining the forces of everyone who works in the sector, from the top chefs to the culinary schools.” Among the “Captains of Gastronomy” gathered for the action was Peter Goossens of Hof van Cleve in Kruishoutem, one of Flanders’ three three-Michelin starred restaurants. Because of his restaurant and many TV activities, Goossens is the best-known face internationally of top gastronomy in the region. Goossens described how his restaurant has seen a growth in tourists combining a weekend or a short stay in Flanders with a

Volta, one of Ghent’s top culinary hotspots

specifically culinary destination. “That happens more and more,” he told VTM News. “We also see people, certainly at our level of restaurant, who make it their whole purpose to come and eat with us and in other cities in Flanders.” Among Flanders Food Faculty plans are a mission statement and the creation of a meeting place linking the restaurant sector and the international culinary press, followed by an exchange programme sending Flemish chefs abroad and bringing chefs from other countries to the region. “We already have the best cuisine,” Weyts said. “Now we’ll also have the best promotion.” \ AH

\ INNOVATION

DECEMBER 16, 2015

A whole new world

week in innovation Cycle highways pay for themselves

App for dyslexic kids opens up a world of adventures in reading Toon Lambrechts More articles by Toon \ flanderstoday.eu

HAPPSDEVELOPMENT.COM

he Antwerp start-up Happs is developing an app for children with dyslexia. For these children, an adventure in the world of letters awaits; for speech therapists, the app is an unprecedented way for them to track their patients’ progress. There’s nothing new about the gaming app itself, an adventure full of quests that yield points by which you can upgrade your character and prepare for the next level. The difference is that instead of taking on monsters, players travel through the world of writing. The goal of the game is to familiarise children who suffer from dyslexia with reading, writing and spelling. Hannes Hauwaert is one of the founders of Happs, the start-up behind the app. “We wanted to develop an app for chil-

The Happs game will familiarise dyslexic children with reading and spelling; game developer Hannes Hauwaert (left)

dren with dyslexia that brings together gaming and education,” he explains. “Other teaching materials are usually more educational, but we believe in gaming as a format. We wanted to create a fun and challenging game experience, with a touch of absurd humour, because that’s what motivates children.” Many materials now used in speech therapy to help children get started on reading and writing aren’t especially engaging, Hauwaert says. “I find it sad that even today, the same, sometimes rather dull, tools and techniques are

being used to help children with dyslexia. There is very little variation. A gaming app certainly has added value.”

pist can see how much practice a child is getting and what progress they are making, because they are connected through the app. While a patient and speech therapist might see each other twice a week, with our app much closer monitoring becomes possible.” The app was developed with speech therapists, as they will be offering it to their patients later on. Happs comes from an earlier project that Hauwaert developed at school. Once he’d achieved his diploma, he started a company to develop the app. But why the choice to do something with dyslexia? “I suffered from dyslexia,” he says. “Throughout school, I struggled with writing, and, in speech therapy, I saw how little learning tools had evolved. Certainly the digital possibilities are

I find it sad that the same dull, tools and techniques are still being used to help children with dyslexia Learning by playing is only one side of the story. Happs also offers a new way for speech therapists to monitor their patients. “It allows them to closely follow up their young patients’ progress,” Hauwaert explains. “The thera-

virtually unused. This is particularly unfortunate, because I was a serious case and know all too well how difficult it is to deal with dyslexia. That’s why I want to help children who find reading and writing challenging.”

Boslab platform co-ordinates research in ecology and forest management Forests are a rarity in densely populated Flanders. As the greenest province, Limburg has more than any other province, especially in the north, where forests were planted in the past to meet the demand for wood for the mines. The municipalities of Lommel, Overpelt and Hechtel joined forces to manage and promote their forests, and Bosland (Woodland) was born: a patchwork of coniferous forests, heathland, grassland and water, a paradise for nature lovers and scientists alike. “Bosland was set up in 2006, and the research aspect was there from the beginning,” says Dries Gorissen of the Nature and Forest Agency, who initiated Bosland. The new Boslab (Forest Lab) platform formalises Bosland’s scientific side. “It’s a platform where governmental and scientific institutions interested in nature and forest can work together,” Gorissen explains. “Through this collaboration, we are doing pioneering work in the field of ecology and forest management, and in the development of a social and economic use of our green heritage.”

Which means it’s getting pretty busy in Limburg’s woods. Several universities and research institutions have set up projects as part of Boslab. “Ghent University is doing a study on forest ecosystems, focusing on the value that a forest offers to society,” Gorissen explains. The Flemish Institute for Technological Research (Vito) is also working on that issue, he continues. “For the researchers, it’s particularly interesting to exchange the results of their experiments. This creates a cross-fertilisation between exper-

iments and inspires new research projects.” All this research and exchange also has advantages for Bosland itself, Gorissen points out. “Take for instance the nightjar. This bird has become a kind of symbol for nature revitalisation here in northern Limburg. Thanks to research by Hasselt University, we know more about how the population of nightjars behaves in our region. This allows us to adjust our management work to give the population a chance to grow.”

BOSLAB.BE

Bosland has also organised guided walks to give an insight into the nightjar’s life and their research into it. “That’s also an element of Boslab: transferring scientific knowledge about nature and the forest to the public.” The results of all these experiments in Limburg’s woods have led to valuable insights. One important area of research is a collaboration between Ghent University and the University of Leuven. As part of an international research project, they’re looking at what combination of trees yields the best results for timber production given the changing climate. “Boslab is about scientific research, but it also has another role,” Gorissen explains. “The insights allow us to better reconcile the various functions of forests such as nature conservation, recreation and timber production.” Boslab was set up, he adds, “to formalise scientific collaboration, multidisciplinary research and data exchange. We will continue to work on this, but in the future we would like to see the Boslab name gain international importance as an area for scientific research.” \ TL

Researchers from the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (Vito) have proven the cost-effectiveness of bicycle highways – paths without junctions that allow cyclists to cover long distances quickly. The researchers analysed the Antwerp-Mechelen and Leuven-Brussels bike highways. The cost of construction is between €300,000 and €800,000 a kilometre. They are used by between 600 and 4,400 cyclists a day for 20 years without much maintenance cost. Cycling lowers the risk of conditions like diabetes, depression and dementia, which can be converted into saved health-care costs. The highways also reduce air and noise pollution, congestion and traffic accidents.

Leuven scientists develop low-CO2 diesel Scientists from the University of Leuven (KU Leuven), with Utrecht University, have developed a method to produce diesel fuel that would cause cars to emit far less CO2 and fine dust. Catalysts are used in the production of petrol to trigger the chemical reactions that convert raw material into fuel. The catalyst used for this study has two functions, represented by a metal and a solid acid. Scientists have always assumed that these should be as close as possible for a fast production process. But the researchers have found that if the functions within a catalyst are a certain space apart, better molecules for cleaner fuel are created. Molecules in diesel can now be optimised, and cars would emit far fewer fine dust particles and CO2.

Pupils learn about geothermal energy Pupils from secondary schools in Geel and Mol, Antwerp province, were the first to receive a tour of Vito’s Balmatt geothermal energy site in Mol. In September, Vito launched an exploratory drill of more than 3.5 kilometres below the earth’s surface to assess whether it’s possible to pump hot water up from the subsurface in the Kempen region and use it for heating and electricity production. The goal of the school visits, part of the Flemish government’s plans to promote science, technology, engineering and maths, is to demonstrate the role deep geothermal energy can play in the future. \ Andy Furniere

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\ EDUCATION

DECEMBER 16, 2015

Living dolls

week in education

Nursing students in Limburg use patient simulators to refine their ER skills Senne Starckx More articles by Senne \ flanderstoday.eu

limburgsezorgacademie.be

e can talk, he can shout, he can rant, and he can rave. His chest moves up and down when he breathes, and his eyelids flutter. A monitor connected to his body shows his heartbeat, pulse, blood pressure and breathing rate. Meet SimMan, the new rising star of the Limburg Care Academy (LiZA) in Genk. Though he bleeds when you prick him, SimMan is not real. His blood is artificial, serving only to make him even more authentic. SimMan lives in LiZa’s new simulation centre, a facility that officially opened last month and that will train nursing students how to react in emergency situations. Students from HBO Verpleegkunde Genk and UC LeuvenLimburg (UCLL), as well as care professionals from the OostLimburg Hospital can also attend sessions in the simulation centre. “Simulation training is part of the education of the future,” says Lieve Haumont, head of the nursing department at UCLL. “The inten-

Teachers monitor and guide students using the patient simulator from the control room

practise, particularly when it comes to emergency situations,” Haumont explains. “When such a situation occurs, a professional will always take over. By practising on simulated ER patients, our students will become better prepared to handle real patients. The sessions also boost their self-

The simulation helps you to get to the point where your reactions are automatic tion of the simulation sessions is to teach our students how to apply all their skills and knowledge in any situation.” Don’t they normally learn the trade during an internship in a real health-care environment? “That’s true, but in the field they don’t always get the chance to

confidence, which is essential for their careers later.” LiZa’s simulation centre has a three “living dolls” at its disposal. Apart from SimMan, there is SimMom and SimBaby. “We use SimMom to show our students what happens during delivery,” says Haumont, “and what kind of emergency situ-

ations they might face.” The three dolls together cost more than €200,000. Aren’t human actors cheaper and easier to use? Haumont: “We also use real humans, but only to help teach communicational skills. With our simulants, which we operate from a control room, we can do much more.” The dolls mimic situations that are out of reach for human actors, Haumont continues. “Often these are complicated emergency situations, like a heart attack, convulsions and spasms or hyperventilation. The dolls can even mimic a spontaneous pneumothorax, in which only one side of the chest moves up and down.” You also can’t reanimate a human actor or even put a drip on them. And of course, the simulation centre is a true training environment. “This means students are able to make mistakes. Thanks to the intensive debriefing after every session, our students really learn from their experience – and that includes their mistakes.”

Dennis Vanderstraeten is in his third and final year of nursing studies at UCLL. “You really learn how to react to emergency situations,” he says about the dolls. “The simulation helps you to get to the point where your reactions are automatic.” Vanderstraeten has already taken part in two simulations. In each session, two students are left alone with a patient simulator, which is operated by an instructor from behind the darkened glass of the control room. “The instructor talks via a speaker inside the doll’s mouth,” explains Vanderstraeten. “But the voice is manipulated, so we don’t know which of our teachers is testing us.” He says he finds working with the simulators hugely rewarding. “We are used to working on lifeless dolls, so it was really a surprise when we saw these simulation dolls showing the symptoms of circulatory shock, for example – blood that’s drained from the eyes or the face, fainting or even confusion. We really felt what it meant to stabilise an ER patient.” When a patient gets septic shock in a hospital, this typically requires the intervention of a professional. “They would never let us interns handle this kind of situation,” says Vanderstraeten. “So the simulation sessions are unique opportunities to learn to treat these by ourselves.” LiZA only has three dolls, so the simulation time for each nursing student is limited. “That’s a pity, because I found it very useful,” adds Vanderstraeten. “These sessions correspond to a new, third pillar in our education: along with theory and conventional practice, there’s now also simulation.”

Q&A Siegrid Leurs is a Flemish sign language interpreter. She explains how Flemish schools often can’t find interpreters for deaf or hearing-impaired students, and the implications this has for integration. How many deaf or hearing-impaired pupils are there in Flemish schools? In 2014, there were 91 students integrated in standard education who relied on the services of a Flemish sign language [VGT] interpreter. Each deaf or hearing-impaired student can ask for the services of an interpreter for one or more hours every day. But then the school has to find one. Last year one in five interpreter hours was not filled. What are the implications of this shortage? The demand is much higher than the supply at the moment. This means that, although hearingimpaired students are in principle completely integrated in the compulsory education system, in reality, they’re on their own. The problem is also that in some areas of Flanders there are

almost no interpreters – while the demand is just as high as elsewhere. Are there full-time VGT interpreters? Quite a lot of people in Flanders have graduated as a sign interpreter, but most of them work on a very limited basis. For about 165 of them, it’s not their main occupation. This, of course, also decreases their availability. Only 15 to 20 are full-time freelance interpreters. They are selfemployed and get most of their assignments via CAB, the interpreting agency for the deaf in Flanders. Do you think the job is undervalued? Definitely. I read in the newspaper recently that hearing-impaired people should learn to lipread and that interpreting doesn’t imply much

more than some pointing and waving. Nothing could be further from the truth! VGT is a language with its own grammar and lexicon, just like Dutch and English. And we translate simultaneously, which means that while someone is speaking, we translate to VGT, and vice versa. This demands a lot of energy and intellectual alertness from us. The problem is that as long as our occupation is undervalued, the deaf and hearing impaired are left out in the cold.

More pupil evaluations at primary schools More and more primary schools in Flanders are organising personal evaluation discussions with pupils, similar to the meetings that schools have with parents. The Catholic education network is encouraging school directors to introduce the practice. During the evaluations, pupils can have a private conversation with a teacher, usually after receiving their school reports. Teachers talk about what they will discuss at the parent-teacher meeting, which helps children to feel less anxious about it, the network said. Most importantly, the meetings enable pupils to have more of a say in their school experience.

Teachers sick for longer due to burnout Fewer teachers in Flanders took sick leave last year, but those that did remained absent longer than in previous years, according to the education sector’s annual report on sick leave. In 2014, teachers were absent for a total of 2,514,111 days – the highest number since 2009. On average, Flemish teachers were sick for 15 days in the year. The biggest cause of absenteeism was psychosocial conditions such as stress, burnout and depression. More than one in three sick days (36.4%) was attributed to these problems compared to 33.5% in 2013. In comparison, psychological problems cause onequarter of staff sick leave at federal government institutions.

Vlerick moves into Europe’s top 15 Vlerick Business School, with locations in Ghent, Leuven and Brussels, has risen one place in the annual European Business School Rankings compiled by the Financial Times, to enter the top 15. The rankings cover 85 schools and are based on five other lists produced during the year: full-time MBA, open enrolment executive education, customised executive education and executive MBA. In the overall ranking, Vlerick rises from 16th in 2014 to 15th now. The list is again headed by the London Business School, followed by HEC Paris and Insead, also based in France. Antwerp Management School comes in at number 45, with Solvay Brussels School of Economics & Management at 47.

\ Interview by SS

\ LIVING

week in activities Winter at Historium Experience a medieval Christmas at Historium, with seasonal decorations and extended opening hours. Learn about how people celebrated the holidays in the middle ages. Daily Christmas game and quiz with prizes. 19-30 December, 10.00-20.00, Historium, Markt 1, Bruges, free with admission \ historium.be/en/winter

Winter Wonders Tours Take a guided tour of the Brussels Christmas markets, including the Sint Katelijne district and the old begijnhof. Reserve via the website. (In English, Dutch and French) Until 3 January, depart from Sint-Katelijneplein 44, Brussels, €6 \ tinyurl.com/Winter-Wonders-tour

Aarschot Winter Festival A cosy outdoor market with food and drink stands and daily activities inside the big tent. This weekend: opening party with live music and retromarket on Saturday, petting zoo and handicrafts on Sunday. Frozen kids’ day on 23 December. 18-29 December, Grote Markt, Aarschot, free \ hetgasthuis.be

Night Watch Tour in Ypres The night watchman awaits with his halberd and torch to lead you on an evening tour through secret passages and hidden corners of the city. Reservations required via toerismebalie@ieper.be or 057 239 220. Wednesdays and Saturdays until 27 February, 17.30, depart from Menin Gate, Menenstraat, Ypres, €3.50 \ toerismeieper.be

Fire Show in Genk Visiting German theatre group Pan.Optikum performs its spectacular outdoor show Human (F)aktor, with acrobatics, music, dance and fire. 19-20 December, 17.00, Stadsplein, Genk, free \ visitgenk.be

Suske and Wiske Winter Party The famous cartoon characters turn 70 this year, and they’re throwing a party. Indoor and outdoor activities and free snacks and drinks, plus discounted guided tours of the museum. 19 December, 9.3017.00, Suske and Wiske Children’s Museum, Beauvoislaan 98, Kalmthout, free (€2 for tour, €1 for kids) \ tinyurl.com/Suske-and-Wiske

\ 10

In with the old

Scouts’ prize shows the value of keeping traditions alive Toon Lambrechts More articles by Toon \ flanderstoday.eu

landers has a strong tradition when it comes to scout troops, or youth movements, as they call them. Chiro, Scouts, KSA... Every weekend, half of Flanders’ young people head out to have organised fun with their peers. But each section of the various scouting movements also has its own traditions. To put these in the spotlight, Heemkunde Vlaanderen and Tapis Plein organised a contest for the nicest tradition. It must have been difficult to pick a winner, but in the end the Scouts Parsifal of Rumbeke in West Flanders took home the prize. This year the focus was on traditions at summer camp, and the Scouts of Rumbeke won with their giant cake. “Every year we spend two weeks at camp, and in the middle of the camp, parents come out to visit their children,” says troop leader Vincent Parmentier. “When the parents are with us, the Young Explorers, the group aged 12 to 14, make a huge cake with petitbeurres, a kind of biscuit that they decorate in the theme of the camp.” Where the tradition comes from, Parmentier doesn’t know. “Our group has been around for 55 years, and, as far as I know, we have always done it. And we always will do it.” “That is exactly the value of traditions,” explains Daphné Maes, a consultant at Heemkunde Vlaanderen who co-ordinates the Heritage and Youth Movements organisation. “Traditions create closeness – between each other,

The winning tradition: Scouts Parsifal of Rumbeke’s annual giant cake-baking project

but also with the past and the future. That is true in our wider society, but equally so in the Flemish youth movements. “At the same time, traditions give a uniqueness to scouting. Take away those traditions, and scouting wouldn’t be the same.” Heritage and Youth Movements has been active for several years, helping scout troops to get in touch with their own pasts. The celebration of 75 years of Chiro under the name Chiro Retro in 2009 marked the beginning of their work on these kinds of traditions. Later, the project was extended to

all youth movements. “We give advice on how scouting troops can celebrate their anniversaries with material from their own history and how to preserve their own archive,” Maes explains. “Quite often this archive is hidden away somewhere in boxes, without much concern. And the digital memories often get dispersed. But it’s important for their identity that they keep track of an archive.” To promote the work of Heritage and Youth Movements, the competition was set up and is now in its second year. The winner is invited to an activity based on herit-

age and has a short film made about their tradition that will be promoted online. “There were really nice traditions among the entries,” says Maes. “There are customs that show that young people who make a commitment as a leader in the youth movement take this very seriously. At Chiro Stockel, for example, a new leader receives their whistle in a ceremony where they pledge to bring their leadership to a successful conclusion. This also shows the value of tradition. It gives meaning to special moments.”

BITE Horses for courses: Dressage judge publishes cookbook Dressage and cooking might not be subjects you’d immediately put together, but that didn’t stop renowned Flemish dressage judge Mariette Withages from writing the book There is a Horse in My Kitchen. The idea started with Catherine the Great. Withages (pictured) was reading a biography of the Russian empress, which described her affair with Count Grigory Orlov. “Until then, I hadn’t made the link with the Orlov horse breed,” she says. “I was already intrigued by the story of how Reiner Klimke – one of the world’s best jockeys – preferred a Russian Orlov stallion over a German breed. Then three weeks later, I was at a family dinner where by coincidence they served veal Orlov.” In There is a Horse in My Kitchen, Withages combines history, horses and gastronomy. “The Orlov link was the trigger,” she says, “and I started doing research on other connections between horses and food.” She discovered, for instance, that Arthur Wellesley, the First Duke of Wellington, loved horses. “He was a great meat eater and liked his beef baked in pastry,” she says. “Because of its resemblance to his Wellington boots, the dish went

down in history as beef Wellington.” Until last year, Withages’ notes on the project were stored in a drawer, waiting for a photographer and a publisher. She found both in Italy during one of her many international appearances on the dressage circuit. The English version of the book was published last year, and a Dutch version has just been released. Throughout the beautifully illustrated and well-documented book, Withages embarks on a culinary journey, connecting famous eques-

trians, historical places and legendary horses with a wide variety of dishes. And there’s room for locally inspired recipes, too, like eel in beer sauce, which is related to the goose-riders of the Kempen, and the trout Ardennes-style referring to the Ardennes horse breed. “I’m not a professional cook, but I do have a spacious kitchen,” Withages says. “That came in handy when we did the photo sessions. I remember the first batch, when I had to prepare 47 dishes in a row.” Aside from judging, Withages trains coaches and riders. She is currently travelling back and forth between her home in Schoten and Brazil, where she’s preparing the national dressage team for the Olympics in Rio next summer. “They knew my reputation as a cook – I ended up buying supplies at the local supermarket and preparing a dish for the team. That recipe’s not in the book,” she says, laughing. \ Marc Maes There is a Horse in My Kitchen (€49) can be ordered from Fondazioe Emilio Bernardelli in English, Dutch and French. It’s available in Dutch from Zadelmakerij De Clerk in Berchem and Ruitersport Lydia Dehertoghe in Leuven

DECEMBER 16, 2015

Digging for information

Leuven scientists apply archaeology to former archaeologists in Brussels exhibition Ian Mundell follow Ian on Twitter \ @IanMundell

KMKG-MRAH.BE

atchbooks and cigarette packs are the last thing you expect to see under glass in the Egyptian section of the Jubelpark Museum, still less a wrapping paper for candles made in Antwerp. But their presence in the museum’s Djehutihotep exhibition brings a new perspective to the modern practice of archaeology. Djehutihotep was the governor of a province in middle Egypt around 1840 before the current era. His richly decorated tomb near the present-day town of Dayr al-Barcha attracted European visitors from the 17th century onwards and became the focus of archaeological investigations at the end of the 19th century. These expeditions documented and often removed the relics and artworks they discovered, sending them to museums in Europe and the US. Sometimes enterprising locals got there first, selling the contents of tombs to dealers and collectors. Even after these depredations, the tombs at Dayr al-Barcha still have a lot to tell archaeologists. Teams from the Egyptology department at the University of Leuven have been visiting the area since 2002, and the exhibition documents some of their discoveries. One aim for modern expeditions is to find things that previous archaeologists had missed. In 2007, for example, the Leuven team located an unopened tomb, which, when excavated, was found to contain the body of Henu, a minor official. On top of his coffin were a pair of sandals, for his spirit to wear in the afterlife, and the tomb was full of other symbolic items intended to ensure his wellbeing beyond the grave. A video in the exhibition shows the opening of the burial cham-

The intact grave of Henu, an ancient Egyptian governor

ber and these delicate items being removed. They are carefully passed from hand to hand along a human chain up to the surface. These artefacts do not appear in the exhibition. “It’s standard practice that everything that is found on excavations in Egypt stays in Egypt,” says Marleen De Meyer,

Although acquired by the Jubelpark Museum in 1901, this is the first time all the artefacts have been presented together. The Leuven researchers also found relics in previously opened tombs that past archaeologists had overlooked. For example, in one burial chamber were the bones of ducks

Every time I excavate a shaft, I leave a little note in each tomb saying when it was excavated the Leuven researcher who led the work. “Nothing goes abroad any more.” Instead, the exhibition displays the contents of a similar tomb, discovered in 1899 in a cemetery 10 kilometres north of Dayr al-Barcha.

and cranes, where they had been left as offerings. A more ambiguous task involves restoring things damaged by previous archaeologists. In the tomb of Djehutihotep, a British team visiting in 1891-1892 cut up friezes in

order to remove them. In the rubble they left behind, the Leuven team found sufficient fragments to digitally reconstruct images, matching them with sketches made before the damage took place. As well as rubble, previous archaeologists left behind artefacts of their own, which the Leuven team has carefully collected. This is where the cigarette packs and the Antwerp candle wrapper come in, left by an American team visiting in 1915. These are certainly entertaining, such as the matchbook bearing the slogan: “Thank you. We appreciate your patronage. Call again.” But beyond curiosity value, they can also tell present archaeologists more about past expeditions. “Old excavation reports are not

Jubelpark Museum

Until 20 April

Jubelpark 10, Brussels

50 weekends in Flanders: In search of wellness Flanders Today has launched an e-book with ideas for how to spend a year’s worth of weekends. Visit our website to get your free copy of 50 Weekends in Flanders. We’ll also print one of our suggestions every week here, too. These cold, wet winter days are the perfect time to join a yoga class or spend 15 luxurious minutes steaming in a sauna. Here’s our pick of relaxing retreats. WAER WATERS This beautiful wellness centre (pictured) sits on a hillside outside Brussels. Inspired by the zen atmosphere of Vals thermal baths in Swit-

zerland, Waer Waters was built using slate-grey stones. The centre has special features, including a panoramic sauna with windows looking out across the garden and a traditional Kelo sauna built out of ancient Finnish pine. \ waerwaters.be

THERMAE BOETFORT This wellness centre in a romantic turreted castle just outside Brussels sports several saunas in old buildings that once belonged to the castle, including the former stables and an ice house. The complex has separate sections for traditional naked sauna enthusiasts and those who prefer to don a bathing suit. \ thermae.com

YOGA IN THE MUSEUM Yoga mats are laid out every month among the paintings in the Fine Arts Museum in Brussels for a one-hour session. The lessons, in English, take place in the Bernheim Room where the Nobel

always very detailed and sometimes they don’t exist at all,” De Meyer explains, “so if you find a piece of newspaper with a date of 1915, for instance, at the bottom of a shaft that has been filled with debris afterwards you can get an idea of when the shaft was opened and who might have been excavating it.” They also shed light on how excavations were conducted. For example, the Victorian expedition produced watercolours of tomb decorations, recording them in unprecedented detail. The Leuven team found a paint-covered scrap of paper in the tomb of Djehutihotep that lines up with one of the finished images, showing that they were painted on the spot. Meanwhile, scraps of paper covered in sketches of hieroglyphs suggest these were recopied later. “That gives us a little bit of an insight into how people were working at the time,” says De Meyer. The exhibition has brought a number of the watercolours over from their home in Oxford. Most are by Howard Carter, then only in his late teens, who would later discover the tomb of Tutankhamun. Having collected the traces of past expeditions, De Meyer is aware that others may follow in her footsteps. “Every time I excavate a shaft, when it’s finished and before we backfill, I leave a little note in each tomb, saying when it was excavated and by whom.” And like the Victorians, the Leuven expeditions also leave more mundane traces behind. Which is not a problem. “You are part of the history of the site in the end.”

TINYURL.COM/50WEEKENDS

Prize winner Gao Xingjian has created six monumental ink paintings on the theme “awakening to consciousness”. Sessions must be booked (long) in advance.

surrounded by artificial snow. It also has a sauna with a panoramic view of the indoor pool and an authentic Kelo sauna built with Finnish wood.

\ fine-arts-museum.be

\ thermenlonderzeel.be

NOOZ This is a sublime wellness retreat deep in the Kempen woods with a sauna, garden and home cinema. You can rent the place for a couple of hours or snap it up for a whole weekend.

INBLAUW This urban hideaway in Leuven is one of the most luxurious B&Bs in the country. Decorated in a clean modern style, the two-floor suite includes your own private swimming pool, sauna and garden. The owner also keeps a couple of bicycles in the garage for guests to borrow if they can bear to leave their cocoon. \ Derek Blyth

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THERMEN LONDERZEEL A rustic wellness centre near Brussels with a wooden Alpine sauna

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DECEMBER 16, 2015

Hopeful messages for dark times Helmut Lotti’s new album explores the traps we fall into when life gets tough Christophe Verbiest More articles by Christophe \ flanderstoday.eu

helmutlotti.be

On his latest album, Flemish singer Helmut Lotti combines freewheeling pop songs with a positive message about resilience in the face of crisis.

lmost three years ago, longtime singer Helmut Lotti surprised critics and fans alike with Mijn hart & mijn lijf (My Heart & My Body), an album that saw him exploring uncharted musical territories, veering from gritty rock and passionate soul to heartfelt blues and intimate folk. Also, for the first time in more than 20 years, he had released an album in Dutch. That decision meant the singer was limited to performing in front of Dutch-speaking audiences during the subsequent tour. And Flanders and the Netherlands are a small playing ground for someone of his stature. Lotti, who is touring with a Winter Concert this month, has sold more than 13 million records, and, thanks to a series of Goes Classic albums he released in the 1990s, he has fans across Europe, Africa and North America. When Mijn hart & mijn lijf first came out, Lotti (pictured) told me that he had toyed with the idea of recording the songs in English. He eventually decided against it, though he did record the vocals in German. But his record company in Germany was not interested in the album. “They thought it was too far removed from the old me,” he says with a deep sigh. The limited market for Dutchlanguage songs is one of the reasons why his new album, Faith, Hope and Love is again in English. Though initially, Lotti admits, he did contemplate sticking with his

mother tongue. “I recorded some demos in Dutch, and the 30-concert tour I did after the previous album was amazing. For the first time in ages, I was sorry a tour was over. But on the other hand, I got itchy. I could only play 30 concerts! ‘Is this all there is?’ I wondered.” The 46-year-old is candid about his embrace of English: “I hope this

album will generate some work abroad.” For now, nothing is certain. And Lotti is far from convinced that his past success abroad will crack open doors today. Mind you, the choice of language wasn’t just motivated by business concerns. “I think I really do sound better in English,” Lotti says. “In Dutch, I really have to be careful not to sound turgid. In English, that

More new albums this month De Held Alcatraz • Petrol Jo Jacobs was 41 when he released his first album De held (The Hero) in 2012, a record he had started working on 14 years earlier. This time around, everything happened much faster: The majority of the songs on Alcatraz were written and recorded in six weeks. Jacobs sings and plays acoustic guitar, always preferring to play three notes too few than one too many. Sometimes the arrangements are sparse, but the focus always remains squarely on the folky guitar and his voice. Axelle Red The Songs (Acoustic) • Warner When Flemish singer Axelle Red decided to give her music an acoustic makeover, she chose two dozen songs, filling two CDs. The Songs (Acoustic) is a perfect introduction to the sensual oeuvre of the singer, who originates from Hasselt but lives in Brussels, but fans, too, will enjoy this release as the

songs, all in French, have ondergone major transformations. The most fleshed out tracks – with often little more than piano accompaniment – are the highlights of this release.

isn’t a problem.” The difference between his previous album and Faith, Hope & Love isn’t just about language. From the first words Lotti sings, it’s also clear he’s steering his musical oeuvre to different waters. Wouter Van Belle, who co-produced Faith, Hope & Love, suggested using UK composer Andrew Powell to arrange the songs. “I listened to the soundtrack Powell wrote for the film Ladyhawke, and I knew: ‘With this guy, the sky is the limit.’” That’s when the singer decided to opt for a sound that harks back to the heavily orchestrated pop songs of the late 1960s and early ’70s, with golden oldies like “Eloise”, “Suspicious Minds” and “Bohemian Rhapsody”. “Songs in which everything seemed to be possible: wild arrangements, crazy tempo changes, you name it.” Lotti tries, he says, “to start from scratch with every album. Musically, but also thematically. This time it all started with a song that I wrote for Mijn hart & mijn lijf, but which lyrically didn’t fit.” The translated lyrics of that song, and more specifically the line “Thank God heaven is makebelieve”, formed the starting point for Faith, Hope & Love. “I noticed that religion also reared its head in other

15-30 December

songs,” he says. “I wouldn’t call it an album about religion, though, more one about ways of living: What do we cling to when life turns sour? What are life’s traps? And what makes one a better human being?” Lotti loves books and movies about characters who overcome hurdles, “especially when they themselves form the main obstacle but still reach a catharsis. The duality between good and evil is fascinating.” To explain this tug of war between opposing forces, God is regularly called upon in the songs on Faith, Hope & Love. But for Lotti, the new record is also about pacifism. He gives the example of his English cover of “Inch’Allah”, a 1960s peace song by Belgian singer Adamo. “The most important sentence in my lyrics is ‘Dividing walls, disgrace to man’. Another theme of the album is: How do we move forward when we’re gripped by fear? When you feel treated unjustly and no one seems to notice you anymore – that’s when you make the wrong choices, as we have seen lately.” Lotti is of course referring to the Paris attacks that occurred just a few days before our interview. Is it a coincidence that Faith, Hope & Love taps into the current mood so strikingly? “I started this album two years ago, but I think the themes I touch upon will always be topical. They will never be coincidence.” Earlier in our conversation, Lotti talked about blindly following one’s ambitions. Has he ever experienced the dark side of an all-encompassing ambition? “If you mean that instance where you follow your dreams so intensely that you forget to live and be happy, sure! It’s no coincidence that at one point on the album I sing: ‘Lonely just like me’. I’d like to point out that, thanks to their sequencing, the songs implicitly tell a story. I had the choice between a happy and sad ending. I chose the happy one, a marriage.” Almost two-thirds of the 15 songs on Faith, Hope & Love are covers or traditional songs. “I was looking for songs related to the central theme of the album,” he says. “I was looking for as many different points of view possible, without pushing my personal opinion. “The only personal view I express is that you have to try to think positively. And that violence is always the wrong answer. It’s the only view I’m certain of. In one of the songs, I voice an atheist, but I’m not an atheist. In another one, I incarnate the devil, which I’m not. But I’m not afraid of playing that character, or of people’s opinions. In the end, we all have some degree of darkness.” Winter Concert Helmut & Friends Across Flanders

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\ ARTS

week in arts & CULTURE Stromae marries in secret ceremony Belgian hip-hop singer Stromae married his girlfriend of two years, Coralie Barbier, at the weekend in Mechelen. The ceremony was a secret, even to the guests, who were invited to “a party” by the Brussels celebrity. Stromae, 30, invited 180 people to the Martin’s Patershof hotel in Mechelen, which is built inside an old church. Each room in the unique hotel contains its own section of the church’s original stained-glass window. The guests only learned of the wedding when they arrived at the hotel. Barbier is Stromae’s stylist, an incredibly important position in his entourage as anyone familiar with the musician will realise.

Bevergem director gets subsidy for first movie Screen Flanders, the support agency for the audio-visual industry, has announced new subsidies worth €1.5 million. Gilles Coulier, writer-director of the recent hit TV series Bevergem, will receive funding for his first feature film. Funding also goes to De premier (The Prime Minister), the new movie by Erik Van Looy (Loft). To qualify for subsidies, producers must spend at least €250,000 in Flanders, and each euro invested must provide at least one additional euro of local spending. The projects funded in this second round of 2015 will bring in an estimated €9.8 million in income to the region. Other projects funded include the UK/Belgian co-production The Kaiser’s Last Kiss and the Iceland/Belgian animation Ploey: You Never Fly Alone. \ screenflanders.be

Akerman is Knack’s Person of the Year Flemish culture and media magazine Knack Focus has named Chantal Akerman, the Belgian filmmaker who died in October aged 65, as their Person of the Year. Akerman, once ranked by The New York Times on a level with Jean-Luc Godard and Rainer Werner Fassbinder, was born in Brussels to Polish parents who had fled the Holocaust. Known as a video artist as much as a film director, Akerman spent time in New York in the 1970s, picking up avant-garde methods of structure and the illustration of time and space. Her debut work, 1976’s Jeanne Dielman, 23, Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles, is considered one of the most important pieces of feminist cinema of the 20th century.

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Looking for the Other

Jan Yoors with the Roma travellers

Jan Yoors’ remarkable photographs on show at Red Star Line Museum Toon Lambrechts More articles by Toon \ flanderstoday.eu

Flemish artist Jan Yoors was a painter, sculptor, filmmaker and weaver, but the Red Star Line Museum in Antwerp puts the spotlight on his photography, a remarkable documentation of minority communities from Flanders to New York.

or a little-known figure, Jan Yoors lived a remarkable life, in which he was a photographer, painter, sculptor, writer, filmmaker and carpet designer by turns. I, Gypsy, an exhibition at the Red Star Line Museum in Antwerp, spotlights his work as a photographer, and in the process, tells the extraordinary story of a man for whom Flanders was clearly too small. Born in 1922, Yoors grows up in an Antwerp family that values art greatly. His father, Eugeen Yoors, makes stained glass, while his mother, Magda Peeters, is a poet. When Yoors is 12, he comes into contact with a Roma group who set up camp close to Antwerp and quickly becomes fascinated with the itinerant community. After obtaining permission from his parents, Yoors decides to follow

the Roma on the road, and he takes his camera with him. He becomes good friends with one boy in particular, whose father adopts Yoors into the family as if he was their own. When, several years later, the family insists Yoors marry a Roma girl, he decides to part ways with the traveller community. When the Second World War breaks out, the French resistance movement asks Yoors for help convincing the Roma to help fight the German occupier. After he organises trafficking routes for Allied soldiers behind enemy lines, he is arrested and imprisoned in a detention camp in Spain. After the war, Yoors travels across Europe to meet up with his old Roma friends again. He catalogues his experiences and his pictures of the Roma in two books: The Gypsies and Crossing. Many of the images on view in the current exhibition centre on his life with the Roma. After the war, Yoors leaves Europe for New York. Fascinated by the diversity of the city, he turns his lens to the Jewish community and the jazz scene. Almost like an ethnographer, he is forever on the lookout for the Other.

redstarline.be

The photos he takes as part of his research for Only One New York, his 1963 documentary about the city’s ethnic diversity, were collected in a book of the same name. The I, Gypsy exhibition clearly shows how Yoors’ style as a photographer evolved over the years. While he initially uses his camera to merely record what he saw, he later increasingly embraces more stylised compositions, ultimately adopting an almost abstract style. This abstract element is even stronger in Yoors’ other work. Though the exhibition at the Red Star Line focuses on his photography, he was so much more than that. Before the war, Yoors studied sculpture at Antwerp’s Royal Academy of Fine Arts and at the Institut Superieur d’Art de la Cambre in Brussels. After the war, he resumes his studies and enrols in the School of African and Oriental Studies at London University. In London, Yoors visits an exhibition on medieval tapestries, becomes fascinated by the art of weaving and teaches himself how

Until 10 April

to weave. In 1950, Yoors opens a studio in New York, together with his wife, Marianne, and her friend Anne Bert. He begins designing enormous carpets, which the three subsequently realise in the studio. At first, his designs are figurative; later they, too, start to become more abstract. Yoors gains international recognition with his textile works, so much so that he is asked to represent the United States at international exhibitions on two occasions. All in all, Yoors is perhaps best described as an integral artist, someone who refused to let himself be limited by any medium and instead explored the boundaries of different art forms through his artistic development. Yoors truly lived his life to the fullest. How else would you describe a man who travelled with gypsies at the age of 12, joined the resistance movement, left behind a unique glimpse into the life of minority communities and then became a celebrated carpet designer?

Red Star Line Museum

Montevideostraat 3, Antwerp

\ AGENDA

DECEMBER 16, 2015

The constant gardener

CONCERT

Power Flower Until 27 March

Ghent Desde La Barrosa: Flamenco event featuring master singer Antonio Reyes and dancer Patricia Valdes, accompanied by more musicians from the Spanish province of Cádiz. 18 December 20.15, Handelsbeurs, Kouter 29

Rockox House Museum, Antwerp rockoxhuis.be

ower Flower: Floral still lifes in the Netherlands is an exhibition for art lovers and for gardeners. Staged in the Rockox House in Antwerp, it tells the story of the lavish flower paintings that emerged in the Low Countries in the 16th century. Yet it also looks at each painting with a gardener's eye, identifying the blooms and ticking off artists who dare to mix flowers from different seasons. The earliest painting here, a 1589 miniature by Joris Hoefnagel, gives equal weight to flowers and animals. A pink rose in a blue vase is beset by a stag beetle, butterflies, a caterpillar, a snail and a spider. The bouquets grow in size as the genre develops, but this cast of supporting characters never quite disappears. More than simple decoration, butterflies or ants among the petals allow different readings of the paintings – as reminders of

mortality, for instance, or to signal allegories of night and day. Yet above all the large flower studies were status symbols, demonstrations of both wealth and power. This comes through in the story of Daniel Seghers, a painter closely involved with the Flemish Jesuits. Initially put to work on religious paintings, his employers soon realised that his beautiful flower works could be used as gifts to win influence, both at home and abroad. Seghers often collaborated with other artists, adding floral garlands to religious scenes. One of the most impressive pieces in the exhibition is an illusionistic painting of a stone bas relief of St Catherine of Siena by Erasmus Quellinus the Younger, to which Seghers has contributed a gorgeous wreath. The tangle of dark green thistles and holly, dotted with berries, supports four bright clusters of flowers. \ Ian Mundell

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Ostend Christmas with Sinatra: In celebration of what would have been Frank Sinatra's 100th birthday, the Royal Band of the Belgian Navy presents a Christmas-themed ode to the legendary American crooner, featuring Flemish jazz/pop vocalists Sander De Winne and Elke Bruyneel and a full orchestra. 17 December 20.00, De Grote Post, Hendrik Serruyslaan 18A

PERFORMANCE

EVENT

Paradis

Music for Life: De Warmste Week

19 December, 20.30 Founded by sisters Louise and Ans Van den Eede, theatre company Hof van Eede’s very first production won the Award for Young Theatre at the 2012 edition of Ostend’s annual performance extravaganza Theater aan Zee. Now the sisters are trying their hand at musical theatre in collaboration with contemporary

De Grote Post, Ostend degrotepost.be

composer Thomas Smetryns and Ensemble Besides. Paradis is a Proustian journey into the heart of memory. Sounds and images are used not to tell a story but to plunge the audience into the emotional world of the characters, a world where sounds and images have an affective logic all their own. \ Georgio Valentino

The Pursuit of Happiness

Hooverphonic

As panicked Europeans take a turn to the right in response to the refugee crisis, it’s again up to the artists to speak out against xenophobia and fear-mongering. The Pursuit of Happiness features five Dutch-language writers reading texts that remind us of our common humanity and urge Europe not to betray its humanist values. At the top of the bill is award-winning DutchIraqi novelist Rodaan Al Galidi (pictured), who was himself once a refugee. A live soundtrack is performed by Zita Swoon leader Stef Kamil Carlens. \ GV

casinokoksijde.be

De Schorre, Boom dewarmsteweek.stubru.be

Studio Brussel’s annual charity campaign culminates in this weeklong telethon, which this year benefits some 1,000 organisations chosen by ordinary citizens. The event is broadcast live 24 hours a day from a festive open-air pavilion (complete with campsite) in Flanders’ beating heart of dance music – the Tomorrowland grounds in Antwerp province. You can contribute by raising money for your favourite non-profit yourself or simply purchasing a flame pin. Each day a Warmathon takes place in a different provincial capital, from Bruges to Hasselt. Runners and walkers can enjoy a 2.5 kilometre stroll through their favourite city – and all for charity. \ GV

CONCERT Casino Koksijde

Brussels

18-24 December

LITERATURE 23 December, 20.00

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Lisbeth Gruwez Dances Bob Dylan: Official premiere of the collaboration between performance group Voetvolk and musician/composer Maarten Van Cauwenberghe, who plays Bob Dylan songs on vinyl while Flemish dancer/choreographer Lisbeth Gruwez moves to the music. 17-19 December 22.00, KVS, Arduinkaai 9 \ kvs.be

VISUAL ARTS Brussels Ways of Seeing – Episode 1: Photos by Belgian cinematographer Nicolas Karakatsanis (Rundskop, The Loft), including four cast in resin, all with a unique painterly quality. Until 23 December, Alice Gallery, Land van Luikstraat 4 \ alicebxl.com

FAMILY Ghent

get tic

6 April, 20.00 Few rock groups survive the departure of their lead singers, but veteran Antwerp trip-hop outfit Hooverphonic have soldiered on after losing not one, but two of them. Earlier this year, founding members Alex Callier and Raymond Geerts (pictured) announced the exit of Noémie Wolfs, who had

kets n ow

Ancienne Belgique, Brussels abconcerts.be

replaced singer Geike Arnaert in 2010. Hooverphonic’s forthcoming album In Wonderland features instead six different vocalists, many of whom will join Callier and Geerts on tour in the spring. Also on stage: a full string section to perform Hooverphonic’s signature cinematic arrangements. \ GV

De Piepkes betogen (The Piepkes March): Musical performance for kids (5+) by De Piepkes, a group made up of Flemish musicians Roland Van Campenhout, Pieter-Jan De Smet and Frederik Sioen (in Dutch). 23 December 15.00-16.00, Vooruit, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 23 \ vooruit.be

MARKET Brussels La Tricoterie Christmas Market: Third edition of the über-cosy market with about 20 stalls selling homemade and vintage creations, including knitwear, repurposed leather goods, original lighting designs, jewellery and more. 20 December 10.00-18.00, La Tricoterie, Théodore Verhaegenstraat 158

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DECEMBER 16, 2015

Talking Dutch

VoiceS of flanders today

Not so eager about the beavers Derek Blyth More articles by Derek \ flanderstoday.eu

ell. It wasn’t the most impressive video on YouTube ever, but De Standaard was excited enough to post it on its website. Videobeelden van eerste bever in 167 jaar – Video of first beaver in 167 years, it announced. De bever, het grootste knaagdier uit Europa – The beaver, the largest rodent in Europe, nature organisation Natuurpunt reported, werd voor het eerst in 167 jaar op beeld vastgelegd in het Gentse – has been filmed in Ghent for the first time in 167 years. Pardon? Did we even have video 167 years ago, I wondered. Anyway, that’s not the point. The people at Natuurpunt were overjoyed to see a beaver caught on camera in a wood near Oudenaarde. Check out the video to see what all the fuss was about – but don’t get too excited. It’s just a few seconds of blurred footage of a small rodent sniffing around a chewed tree trunk. It seems that the eager beavers have been making their way across Flanders for some years now. Dat er na 1,5 eeuw in ons land opnieuw bevers aanwezig zijn – The reason that beavers have returned to our country after a century and a half, is het gevolg van het feit dat deze dieren vanaf 1988 in Nederland opnieuw in de natuur uitgezet werden – is because the © Ingimage

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NATUURPUNT.BE

Dutch have been releasing them back into the wild since 1988. In de Dijlevallei ten zuiden van Leuven werd de eerste bever in 2000 gespot – The first beaver was spotted in the Dijle Valley to the south of Leuven in 2000. Now there are an estimated 120 beaver families roaming across Flanders. This represents a lot of nocturnal gnawing. Bevers knagen bomen om – Beavers gnaw at tree trunks, we are told, en hebben een uitgesproken voorkeur voor zachte houtsoorten, zoals wilg en populier – and have a strong preference for soft types of wood, like willow and poplar. Ze gebruiken de bast, twijgen en bladeren als voedsel – They use the bark, twigs and leaves as food. Het hout zelf wordt niet gegeten, de grotere takken worden gebruikt om burchten en dammen mee te bouwen – The wood itself isn’t eaten, but the larger branches are used to build fortresses and dams. How marvellous to see them back, you might be thinking. But it’s not all good news. Vlaanderen betaalde al 10.000 euro uit voor schade door bevers – Flanders has already paid out €10,000 to compensate for damage caused by beavers. The environment ministry is now working out a strategic beaver plan om een visie en maatregelen uit te werken met het oog op het milderen van de maatschappelijke impact van de bever – to develop a vision and regulations aimed at reducing the beaver’s social impact. Which makes me think that Flanders is becoming a little less eager about all those beavers.

Tweet us your thoughts @FlandersToday

Poll

a. Nobody asked the consumer, and in fact it sounds pretty great. Lots of people will find Uplace convenient, including me

41% b. Uplace will be a catastrophe for air quality, mobility and local economies. Scrap the whole thing

41% c. Uplace has been dissected every which way over the last few years. It’s met all the requirements; just let it happen already

18% to come true, the results could be dire. But the same number of you are looking forward to trying it out. The architectural drawings of the project are indeed impressive, and who doesn’t like shopping, food and movies? Plus there will be services, like doctors, fitness clubs and playgrounds for kids. That

means less driving around to all those places, right? And there will be parking – parking! The government of Flanders seems to have taken all of that into consideration and recently gave the project, which has been waiting on permits for years, the go-ahead. Uplace is scheduled to open in 2018.

\ Next week's question: Prime minister Charles Michel has admitted that security measures taken after the Paris attacks may have gone too far. What do you think? Log on to the Flanders Today website at www.flanderstoday.eu and click on VOTE!

\ 16

In response to: Nine Flemish cities to get anti-radicalisation subsidies Peter O'Reilly: This is money well spent.

In response to: Flemish cuisine promotion launched to international tourists Richard Powell: Totally for this. Flemish food and cooking is such an unknown pleasure that should be sold everywhere.

Margaret Cho @margaretcho I love Antwerp - everyone is beautiful and the vol au vents are divine! Thank you Belgium!

Jon Reynolds @jibbers1989 After an amazing weekend in Brussels, it’s back to work :(

ines vanlangendonck @niske Quote of the day: The next big thing will be a lot of small things. (Painted on a wall in Ghent)

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the last word

Do you think the construction of the Uplace shopping and leisure centre should go ahead, despite widespread opposition to it?

It’s a split this week between the consumer and the environmentalist in us. About 40% of you think Uplace in Machelen – just outside of Brussels – is going to be a disaster, as so many city authorities have told us. A choked Ring Road, polluted air and deserted town centres are predicted. Even if the predictions were only partly

In response to: Gleeful Gent glide into football glory Niels Tudor-Vinther: Super great effort! I’m not Belgian, but I almost feel proud of these guys...

Tough customer

Not a dry eye

“Grandfather was a perfectionist. Whenever I copied a drawing of Jommeke, he gave me points: 9.815 out of 10. I never got a 10 from him.”

“You have to be a support and stick to the facts, but quite often it gets to you, seeing the sorrow of the parents. In that one moment, you change their lives forever.”

Sarina Ahmads, granddaughter of the late Flemish strip artist Jef Nys, has drawn the latest Jommeke album

Dr Linde Goossens of the neonatal ICU at Ghent University Hospital, as research shows that half of all doctors have broken down in tears on the job in the last year

Training wheels “It’s just like teaching them to ride a bike. You stand beside them in the beginning. You give them advice and warn them to keep a look out for dangers. Bit by bit, you give them more space and finally let them ride alone.” One in four children is taking to the internet without any guidance from their parents, according to professor Katia Segers of the Free University of Brussels (VUB)

New world “After years of struggle for emancipation and feminism in this country, I think we have to give newcomers a clear signal: Welcome, but in Flanders, women speak Dutch, they go to school, and, if possible, they find a job.” Open VLD president Gwendolyn Rutten on the integration of new immigrants

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