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Brussels You thought you knew it... Foreword from the Brussels-Capital Region

Brussels will never cease to surprise you. A national and European capital, it is now giving itself the means to achieve its ambitions and entering fully into the modern world with an ambitious International Development Plan. Brussels is a major city on a human scale, officially bilingual but in reality polyglot. The Capital of Europe is a crossroads of nationalities, a model of welcome and diversity, and a byword for dynamism and quality. Its open socio-economic environment, the high skill levels of its population, the quality of its infrastructures, the wide range of properties available, its quality of life and its cultural richness have made Brussels one of

the most pleasant cities to live and work in. Brussels is changing to meet the challenges of a globalised city. Brussels has just set itself an International Development Plan, which timetables the numerous actions to allow Brussels to better satisfy the desires of its inhabitants and visitors. Alongside the creation of new housing, businesses and offices, the International Development Plan provides for the creation of major infrastructures to help increase the appeal of Brussels still further: a huge conference centre, an expansive shopping centre, a large concert hall (15,000 seats), a multi-function stadium with 60,000 seats, etc. Strategic locations such as the European

Quarter, the Heysel Plateau and the area around Gare du Midi, the gateway to the city, will be renovated in order to make them highly attractive poles of development. The International Development Plan involves a major drive based around City Marketing, in order to strengthen the promotion of Brussels abroad so that the world is aware of all the resources that Brussels has to offer. So, come and feel the pulse of tomorrowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Europe for yourself. You will discover a warm city offering open arms to the world, a city of creativity where culture is found as much on the streets as in prestigious museums. A global city where everyone is at home.

Best of Belgium

Foreword

Foreword by Minister-President Kris Peeters, Flemish Government

Dear reader, Flanders is the number two region in Europe for foreign direct investment. This ranking was reported in early 2008 by the Financial Times’ magazine-report on foreign direct investment. No doubt this ranking is the result of a clear vision on Flanders’ socio-economic future and its commitment to take firm action. And Flanders continues to create an increasing number of opportunities for foreign investors. Flanders is a prosperous region. Compared to other nations worldwide, our education system, health and welfare facilities, cultural agenda and mobility and communication infrastructure are of the highest quality. We work hard to keep Flanders’ prosperity at this high level in our rapidly changing world. Flanders in Action - safeguarding the future To cope adequately with future challenges, we have launched ‘Flanders in Action’, a number of coordinated socio-economic initiatives that optimize Flanders’ key strengths. Within this framework, we strive to maximize the full potential of our already highly reputed workforce. Its creative, innovative and entrepreneurial mindset is essential to Flanders’ future. We also look inward and continue to upgrade the services that our government administration has to offer. And as an open-minded region, we stay on top of new trends and new ideas from every corner of our globalized world. Sustainability is a focal point in all of our initiatives. This is especially so for the further development of

Best of Belgium

our central, geographical position in Europe and, more specifically, for our transport connections with the European hinterland. Flanders Port Area - streamlining our gateways Flanders is world-famous for its role as a major gateway to Europe. Our region holds no less than four seaports: Antwerp, Zeebrugge, Ghent and Ostend. Each of them plays a world-leading role in its own specialist niche, from the chemical industry to the transshipment of new cars, the import of citrus fruit juices and much, much more. Under the umbrella ‘Flanders Port Area’, these ports have formed a unique strategic alliance to cooperate. By streamlining their operations, they increase the efficiency of the services that are relied upon by the many multinationals based in or around these prime gateways to Europe. Creating a business-friendly environment Flanders aspires to create a businessfriendly environment for companies from all industries and from all over the world. Have a look at what Flanders’ knowledgebased, innovation-driven economy has to offer today. I’m confident you’ll be amazed at how many different market segments can be found in such a small territory. Yours truly, Kris Peeters Minister-president of Flanders

Foreword by Rudy Demotte, Minister-President of the Walloon Government Wallonia, a region to invest in! Did you know that the number 1 in digital cinema equipment is a Walloon company? That the most amazing James Bond or Harry Potter scenes were filmed using flying cameras made in Liège? That the voice technology used in the BMW Series 5 or the Mercedes Class S is produced by a company in Mons? Perhaps you’re unaware that 90% of the world market in radioisotopes, used in medical diagnostics, derives from a spin-off in Louvain-la-Neuve, or that every second 35 doses of vaccines are produced in Genval and distributed all over the world. But perhaps you may have heard that 95% of the slow-motion replays at the Beijing Olympics will be provided by a Walloon technology. We mention all of these examples simply to let you know that Wallonia is a region of success stories. Wallonia is also a region that is very open to the rest of the world, and one whose appeal is internationally recognised. Thus, an analysis conducted in March 2008 by the Economist Intelligence Unit ranked Belgium in 5th place worldwide for flows of direct foreign investment, and in 2nd place in Europe. It concluded that within Belgium, it is Wallonia that offers foreign investors “the greatest growth potential of the three regions”. The foreign investment statistics speak for themselves in this regard. And behind the numbers, recent months have been marked by some famous names: Baxter, Johnson & Johnson, Google and Microsoft. This popularity has not come about by chance. Wallonia enjoys an exceptional location, at the very heart of Europe and on the intersection between its three capitals: Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg. 65% of the European market is within immediate reach, with 400 million consumers capable of being reached in a day. Against this background, Wallonia has plenty of space to offer – 13,500 hectares of new land currently being readied for business and research – at prices that defy competition (between 10 and 50 €/m²). All this territory is served by the densest road networks in the world, along with an expanding waterways system and two thriving regional airports in Liège and Charleroi (500,000 tonnes of freight and more than 2.5 million passengers) with exceptionally good accessibility. Wallonia is also a very favourable environment for business. In addition to the fiscal measures taken at Belgian level, the Walloon government has implemented an intelligent tax system by doing away with all regional, provincial and local taxes hindering economic growth. There have also been important measures to reduce inheritance and gift taxes. The strength of our region

also lies in its citizens, who are well-trained and deliver productivity above the European average. There is a strong emphasis on innovation, with 9 universities, 300 research centres and some 11,000 researchers. This research activity is closely linked with business, as witnessed in particular by our 5 competitiveness clusters which provide active networking in the domains where we can stand out as a European or even a world leader: life sciences, agro-industry, mechanical engineering, transport/logistics, and aeronautics and space technology.

In institutional terms, Wallonia is a federated entity with very extensive powers and autonomy, offering investors a remarkable degree of proximity to its political leaders, who are very acutely aware of the importance of creating sustainable businesses and business partners. On top of all this, the people of Wallonia are open and welcoming, living in a region full of history, tradition and fine cuisine where the preserved spaces are testament to a living spirit of real warmth. Come and (re)discover it for yourself!

Best of Belgium

Taking a closer look at the best of Belgian achievements Belgian achievements in 2007 and 2008 in a range of different areas — the economy, the arts, industry, fashion, hospitality, specialty foods, science and technology and more — provide examples of best practice from the heart of Europe. Belgium has a vibrant, stable and diversified economy with growth rates consistently above the European average, strong corporate investment and vigorous export performance despite the recent global economic slowdown. In 2007 the country posted GDP growth of 2.8% in comparison to the Euro zone average of 2.6%. Corporate investment increased by 5% and exports rose 3.8% annually to €236 billion. The leading export sector was chemicals while iron and steel exports, machinery, automobiles, diamonds and specialty foods, notably chocolate and beer, performed strongly. Unemployment dropped by 9.5% in 2007 as the economy created 74,000 new jobs, thanks largely to the country’s burgeoning small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Belgium’s top companies continued to set the standard in 2008. Europe’s premier brewer InBev announced that it and U.S. brewery giant AnheuserBusch have agreed to merge, which will form the world’s largest brewer by volume with the world’s leading beer brands such as Budweiser, Stella Artois and Beck’s. Chemicals, plastics and pharmaceuticals leader Solvay posted record company results for the fourth year running while Bekaert, a global leader in steel cord manufacture, expanded its steel investments in China. Belgium’s top construction company has nearly finished building the world’s tallest tower, the Burj Dubai, while Belgian dredging companies are involved in building whole islands in the Middle East. Belgium’s numerous niche companies are applying advanced technology in cooperation with local universities and research institutes. Companies like LMS International, ICOS Vision Systems and EVS have become absolute leaders in their fields. In biotech, the Flanders Institute of Biotechnology is powering ahead— especially in agro biotech, Belgian scientists and companies are world leaders. Brussels, Europe’s capital and the headquarters of all the main EU institutions as well the European base of hundreds of multinational companies, was rated the most productive metropolitan region in Europe with the 2nd highest GDP per capita (behind Luxembourg). This year Brussels also celebrated the 50th anniversary of

Best of Belgium

the city’s landmark 1958 World Fair which launched Belgium’s capital onto the world stage as a modern, highly successful city and the capital of Europe. The city celebrated in 2008 with yearlong events, exhibitions and festivities which recalled an era of optimism, scientific progress and peace. Antwerp, Europe’s second-largest port and a vital cog in Belgium’s highly integrated transportation infrastructure, grew by an impressive 10% in 2007, processing 182 million tonnes of freight from almost 17,000 cargo ships. The city is also the world’s diamond capital, handling more than 50% of the world’s rough and cut diamonds. The Antwerp diamond sector had an annual turnover of $39 billion in 2007 and diamond sales accounted for 8% of Belgian exports. In Liège, the economic and cultural centre of Wallonia, the new railway station designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, is nearing completion. This monumental piece of modern architecture is made of steel, glass and white concrete and is characterised by a huge flowing vault 200 meters long and 35 meters high. Politically the period 2007 to 2008 has been one of uncertainty at the federal level following the June 2007 elections while Belgium’s three regions — the Brussels Capital Region, Flanders and Wallonia — continue to prosper in an environment of regional stability and autonomy. Current prime-minister Yves Leterme’s government has the difficult task of negotiating constitutional reforms to devolve more powers to Belgium’s regions. In the Arts, acclaimed Belgian visual artist Jan De Cock showcased his work at New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in 2008 while Luc Tuymans continues his influence as one of the most significant painters working today. A number of Arts festivals in Flanders, Wallonie and Brussels showcased world-class performers in classical and contemporary music, dance and theatre. Belgium’s internationally sought-after dance companies such as Rosas, the Royal Ballet of Flanders and Charleroi / Danses impressed audiences with their quality, originality and creative genius. The International Film Festival Ghent, the Brussels-based Kunstenfestivaldesarts and off course the Queen Elizabeth Competition for Music were notable highlights of the Arts calendar. And

at the international theatre festival in Avignon, Belgian performers were the talk of the town. In Sport, Belgian tennis champion Justine Henin became the first reigning World No 1 to retire from professional tennis while holding the world’s top ranking. In football, Belgium has expressed interest in a joint bid to host the 2018 Fifa World Cup with the Netherlands. Welcome to Belgium!

Una mirada cercana a lo mejor de los éxitos belgas Los éxitos belgas durante 2007 y 2008 en distintos ámbitos – la economía, las artes, la industria, la moda, la hospitalidad, la gastronomía, la ciencia y la tecnología y otras – constituyen ejemplos de buenas prácticas desde el corazón de Europa. Bélgica se caracteriza por una economía vibrante, estable y diversificada con una tasa de crecimiento por encima de la media europea, fuertes inversiones empresariales y unos magníficos resultados de exportación a pesar de la reciente desaceleración económica global. En 2007 el PIB del país experimentó un crecimiento del 2,8% en comparación con la media de 2,6 % de la zona Euro. Las inversiones empresariales crecieron un 5% y las exportaciones aumentaron un 3,8% anual para llegar a 236 mil millones de euros. El sector químico lideró la exportación seguido por los sectores del acero, maquinaria, automóviles, diamantes, alimentación especializada, especialmente el chocolate y la cerveza. El desempleo bajó en 9,5% en 2007 y la economía creó 74.000 nuevos empleos, en buena parte gracias a las florecientes pequeñas y medianas empresas (“PYMES”). Las compañías líderes belgas continúan marcando los estándares en 2008. InBev, el primer fabricante europeo de cervezas ha anunciado su fusión con el gigante americano Anheuser-Busch para formar conjuntamente el mayor fabricante de cervezas a nivel mundial por volumen, con marcas mundialmente conocidos como Budweiser, Stella Artois y Beck’s. Solvay, la empresa líder en los sectores de la química, plásticos y farmacéutica ha conseguido unos resultados empresariales record por cuarto año consecutivo, mientras Bekaert, líder global en la manufacturación de cable de acero, expandió sus inversiones en acero en China. En el sector de la construcción, la empresa líder en la construcción en Bélgica está a punto de finalizar la torre más alta del mundo, el Buró Dubai, mientras compañías belgas de drenaje contribuyen al desarrollo de islas enteras en el Oriente Medio. Numerosas empresas belgas especializadas en nichos de mercado están aplicando tecnología avanzada en cooperación con universidades locales e instituciones de investigación. Empresas como LMS Internacional, ICOS Vision Systems y EVS se han convertido en líderes absolutos en sus campos. En el sector de la biotecnología, el “Flanders Institute of Biotechnology (VIB)” está liderando, especialmente en agro-biotecnología, y científicos y compañías belgas están considerados líderes mundiales. Bruselas, capital de Europa y sede de

las principales instituciones de la UE así como base europea de centenas de compañías multinacionales, encabeza el ranking como la región metropolitana más productiva de Europa y ocupa el segundo puesto por PIB per capita (detrás de Luxemburgo). En 2008, Bruselas también celebra el 50 aniversario de la Exposición Mundial de 1958 que lanzó la capital de Bélgica al escenario mundial como una ciudad moderna, exitosa y capital de Europa. La ciudad celebra esta conmemoración durante todo el año con eventos, exhibiciones y festividades para revivir una era de optimismo, progreso científico y paz. Amberes, el segundo puerto europeo y eje vital en la altamente integrada infraestructura de transportes belga, experimentó en 2007 un crecimiento impresionante del 10%, procesando 182 millones de toneladas de flete de unos 17.000 buques de carga. La ciudad es también la capital mundial de diamantes, donde se negocian más del 50% de los diamantes rudos y tallados a nivel mundial. El sector de diamantes en Amberes obtuvo en 2007 unos resultados anuales de 139 mil millones de USD y la venta de diamantes representaron un 8% de las exportaciones belgas. En Lieja, centro económico y cultural de Valonia, se está finalizando la nueva estación de ferrocarriles diseñado por el arquitecto Santiago Calatrava. Esta pieza monumental de la arquitectura moderna está hecha de acero, vidrio y hormigón blanco y se caracteriza por una enorme bóveda flotante de 200 metros de largo y 35 metros de alto. En el terreno político, el periodo 2007-2008 ha sido de incertidumbre a nivel federal a consecuencia de las elecciones de Junio 2007 mientras que las tres regiones, la región de Bruselas Capital, Flandes y Valonia, continúan prosperando en un entorno de estabilidad regional y de autonomía. El gobierno del primer ministro actual Yves Leterme tiene la ardua labor de negociar la reforma constitucional para dotar de más poderes a las regiones belgas. En las Artes, el aclamado artista visual belga Jan De Cock ha expuesto en 2008 su obra en el “Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)” en Nueva York, mientras Luc Tuymans continúa su influencia como uno de los más significativos pintores actuales. Festivales de Arte en Flandes, Valonia y Bruselas han

exhibido artistas de nivel mundial en música clásica y contemporánea, danza y teatro. Compañías belgas internacionalmente reconocidas como “Rosas”, el “Koninklijk Ballet van Vlaanderen” y “Charleroi Danses” han impresionado la audiencia por su calidad, originalidad y espíritu creativo. En el calendario de Artes, han destacado el festival internacional “Filmfestival Gent”, el “Kunstenfestivaldesarts” de Bruselas y naturalmente el concurso de música “Queen Elizabeth Competition”. Asimismo, en el festival de teatro internacional “Festival d’Avignon”, artistas belgas han sido la comidilla de la ciudad. En Deportes, la campeona belga de tenis profesional Justin Henin ha sido la primera tenista retirándose del tenis profesional mientras ostentaba el número 1 del ranking mundial. En fútbol, Bélgica ha expresado su interés en una oferta conjunta con los Países Bajos para alojar la 2018 Fifa World Cup. ¡Bienvenidos a Bélgica!

Best of Belgium

近观硕果累累的比利时有着"欧洲心脏"之称的比利时在2007和2008两年间，在经济，艺术，工业，服饰，医疗，特色美食，科技等不同领域中都取得了卓越的成就，起到了名副其实的榜样作用。稳定，多样及充满活力的比利时经济

Institute of Biotechnology) 独树一帜，

月联邦选举以来，比利时三大区，即

虽然也同样面临着近期全球经济放缓

特别是农业生物科技，比利时的科学

布鲁塞尔首都地区，法兰德斯地区

的困扰，但强劲的企业投资和良好的

家和相关公司都处于世界领先行列。

与瓦隆地区均要求更宽松的地区性

出口额使其经济增长率仍始终处在欧

自治与稳定的环境。现任首相Yves

洲平均水平之上。2007年比利时国

作为欧洲之都的布鲁塞尔，所有欧盟主

LETERME当前面临的首要而艰巨

内生产总值增长2.8%, 超越了整个欧

要机构的总部及众多跨国企业都扎根于

的任务则是通过商议来寻求国家改

元区2.6%的平均值。企业投资增长

此。因此，这座城市也可谓是欧洲最富

革，以便提升比利时各地区力量。

5%，出口额年增长3.8%，达到了两

饶的国际大都市之一，人均国内生产

艺术方面，2008年，深受欢迎的比利

千三百六十亿欧元。其中化工业是所

总值在整个欧洲地区排名第二位，仅

时视觉艺术大师Jan DE COCK在纽约现

有出口行业部门中的佼佼者，除此之

次于卢森堡。今年，布鲁塞尔庆祝了

代艺术博物馆 (New York's Museum of

外，钢铁，机械，汽车，钻石以及比

有着城市地标象征的1958年世界博览

Modern Art) 展示了他的作品。杰出画

利时特色食品，尤其是巧克力和啤酒

会，这一历史事件，将一个现代，高

家Luc TUYMANS也继续着他对当今画

在整个出口业中也发挥了举足轻重的

度成功且拥有欧洲首都的比利时推向

坛的影响力。无数场艺术盛会在法兰

作用。不仅如此，大量新兴中小型企

了世界的舞台。与此同时，这座富有

德斯区，瓦隆区和布鲁塞尔举行，世

业的纷纷涌现，也为社会创造出了七

生机的城市在2008年里也将用一系列

界顶尖艺术家们齐聚比利时，为当地

万四千个工作岗位，从而使2007年

的庆典及展会活动来回顾一个乐观向

民众献上了古典及当代歌舞与戏剧。

的失业率下降了9.5个百分点。

上，科技迅猛发展与和平的时代。

具有国际影响力的比利时舞蹈团，如

安特卫普，欧洲第二大港口，在比

Rosas，the Royal Ballet of Flanders and

比利时那些享有声望的公司在2008年

利时高度密集的基础交通设施中扮

Charleroi，用他们那高超精湛且极富创

中也都争相为各自制定着新的标准。

演着不可或缺的重要角色，2007年

造力的演出征服着无数观众。除此以

欧洲首屈一指的啤酒公司InBev宣布

年吞吐量惊人地增长10%，从至少

外，The International Film Festival, the

与美国制酒大亨Anheuser-Busch已达

一万七千艘货轮上共卸下约一亿八

Brussels-based Kunstenfestivaldesarts以

成合并的共识，这将形成世界上最大

千二百万屯货物。不仅如此，这座

及the Queen Elizabeth Competition

的啤酒量与世界领先的啤酒品牌，如

城市还被誉为世界钻石之都，全球

for Music也都为比利时文化艺术

Budweiser, Stella Artois以及Beck's。又

50%的钻石都在这里被打磨切割。

在添墨增彩。而在Avignon举办的

如在化学，塑料，制药领域中的领头

安特卫普的钻石业在2007年中，

国际戏剧节中，比利时演员们则

羊Solvay公司，在第四年的运作中便创

年营业额达三百九十亿美元，钻石

成了该镇居民谈论的焦点。

下了该领域的纪录。与此同时，全球

销售额占比利时出口额的8%。

知名的钢丝制造公司Bekaert将自己的

体育方面，具有世界最高排名的比

业务拓展到了中国。比利时顶尖的建

烈日，瓦隆区经济及文化的中心。

利时网坛名将Justine HENIN成为了

造公司也即将完成目前世界最高摩天

由建筑师Santiago CALATRAVA设

首个以世界第一身份而宣布退役的

大楼Burj Dubai的建造工作。比利时疏

计的新火车站即将竣工验收。这座

职业运动员。在足球运动方面，比

浚公司参与了中东群岛建设任务。比

雄伟的现代建筑主要由钢材，玻

利时和荷兰则有意共同举办2018年

利时的许多利基公司运用先进的科技

璃以及白色混凝土组成，其吸引

世界杯足球赛 (FIFA World Cup)。

与当地的大学和研究机构合作研发。

眼球之处则在于那座长200米，高

此外，LMS International, ICOS Vision

35米的巨大可移动式拱顶。

比利时欢迎您 !

Systems 和EVS公司也都在其各自领域成为了绝对的领先者。在生物科技界，

政治方面，2007至2008是比利时政

佛兰德斯生物科技研究院 (Flanders

治局势不稳定的两年。自2007年七

Best of Belgium

Лучшие достижения Бельгии – знакомьтесь! Расположенная в сердце Европы Бельгия подает прекрасный пример успехов, достигнутых в 2007-2008 годах в таких областях, как экономика, искусство, промышленность, мода, туризм, особая пищевая продукция, наука и технология и в других. Несмотря на недавнее глобальное экономическое замедление, экономика в Бельгии оставалась оживленной, устойчивой и разнообразной c показателем роста выше среднеевропейского. Осуществлялись солидные корпоративные инвестиции, были достигнуты высокие показатели в экспорте. В 2007 году в стране зарегистрирован показатель роста национального валового продукта в 2,8%, в то время, как средний показатель в зоне Евро достиг 2,6%. Корпоративные инвестиции выросли на 5% и ежегодный показатель роста экспорта – 3,8%, что достигло 236 миллиардов Евро. Лидирующим сектором в экспорте была химическая промышленность, в то время как экспорт в области черной металлургии и стали, механического оборудования, автомобилестроения, алмазов и особой пищевой продукции, а именно, шоколада и пива, оставался на высоком уровне. В стране в 2007 году снизился уровень безработицы на 9,5%, благодаря созданию 74000 новых рабочих мест в набирающих силу малых и средних предприятиях (МСП), расположенных по всей стране.

компании, как LMS International, ICOS Vision Systems и EVS являются абсолютными лидерами в своих областях. В биотехнологии Flanders Institut of Biotechnology является двигателем в своей области, особенно, в агробиотехнологии. Бельгийские ученые и научные институты вписываются в ранг мировых лидеров.

Бельгийские ведущие компании продолжали нести передовое знамя в 2008 году. Первый в Европе пивоваренный завод InBev объявил о слиянии с американским гигантом пововарения Anheuser-Busch, что приведет к созданию крупейшего в мире пивоваренного завода по объему производства всемирно лидирующих сортов пива, как Budweiser, Stella Artois и Beck’s. Solvay, передовая компания в области химических, пластических материалов и фармакологии, в течение последних четырех лет достигала наилучших результатов. Bekaert, лидер в производстве металлокордов, расширил свои металлоинвестиции в Китае. Крупнейшая бельгийская строительная компания заканчивает строительство самой высокой в мире башни Burj Dubai. Бельгийские компании по драгированию сотрудничали в строительстве целых островов на Ближнем Востоке. Многочисленные бельгийские специализированные предприятия применяют новейшую технологию, работая совместно с местными университетами и исследовательскими центрами. Такие

Антверпен - второй по величине порт Европы, и жизненноважный стержень в высокоинтегрированной бельгийской транспортной инфраструктуре - продемонстрировал впечатляющий рост в 10% в 2007 году. Через порт было отгружено 182 миллиона тонн груза c 17000 грузовых суден. Этот город является также мировой столицей алмазов, через который проходит более 50% мирового оборота необработанных и отшлифованных алмазов. Алмазная промышленность в Антверпене достигла в 2007 году товарооборота в 39 миллиардов долларов и торговля алмазами составляет 8% от бельгийского экспорта.

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Брюссель, европейская столица и центр всех главных учреждений ЕС, а также европейская база для сотен мультинациональных компаний, вошёл в категорию наиболее продуктивных столичных регионов в Европе. Он занимает второе место по производству НВП на душу населения (после Люксембурга). В этом году Брюссель отмечает 50летие Всемирной выставки 1958 года, которая выдвинула бельгийскую столицу на мировую арену, как современный, преуспевающий город и как столицу Европы. В течение всего 2008-го года это событие отмечается мероприятиями, выставками, фестивалями, которые проходят под лозунгом оптимизма, научного прогресса и мира.

В Льеже – экономическом и культурном центре Валонии – практически закончено строительство нового железнодорожного вокзала, созданного по проекту архитектора Сантьяго Калатрава. Это монументальное сооружение современной архитектуры, созданное из металла, стекла и белого бетона, имеет округленный свод длиной в 200 метров и восотой в 35 метров.

В плане политики на федеральном уровне период 2007-2008 годов был неопределенным, вследствие июньских выборов 2007 года, в то время как три бельгийских региона – Брюссельский столичный регион, Фландрия и Валония, имея каждый свой автономный статус, продолжали стабильно развиваться. Перед действующим правительством во главе с премьер-министром Ивом Летермом стоит трудная задача по проведению переговоров по конституционной реформе, в целях передачи более расширенных полномочий бельгийским регионам. В области искусства известный бельгийский визуальный артист Жан Де Кок в 2008 году представил свое произведение в ньюйоркском Музее современного искусства (МоМА). Имя Люка Тюиманса продолжает оставаться в ряду самых значительных художников сегодняшнего дня. Многочисленные фестивали искусств, проходящие во Фландрии, Валонии и Брюсселе, представляют мирового класса исполнителей классической и современной музыки, балета и театра. Всемирно известные бельгийские балетные труппы, как Rosas, Royal Ballet of Flanders и Charleroi/Danses покаряют зрителей своим высоким мастерством, оригинальностью и гениальной творческой композицией. На первых страницах артистических календарей стоят Международный кинофестиваль в Генте, Фестиваль искусств в Брюсселе и, конечно, Международный музыкальный конкурс королевы Елизаветы. Бельгийские актеры заставили говорить о себе на международном театральном фестивале в Авиньоне. В спорте бельгийская чемпионка по теннису Жюстин Энен, которая покинула профессиональный теннис, царила в мире под № 1. В футболе Бельгия проявила интерес присоединиться к предложению принять вместе с Нидерландами в 2018 году Всемирный чемпионат на кубок Фифа. Добро пожаловать в Бельгию!

ÂŠ Kies van de brussel fotos

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Fast Facts Belgium

Capital city Brussels Area 30,528 sq km Government Federal constitutional monarchy and bicameral parliamentary democracy

ÂŠ Kies van de brussel fotos

Population 10,5 million

Time Zone CET (Central European Time) Current GDP growth 1,9% (est. 01/2008)

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Exchange Rate One US$ = € 1.58 (July 17th 2008) Country Dialing Code +32 Internet domain .be

Inflation 3,64% (est. 02/2008) Official languages Dutch (approx. 60% of the population) French (approx. 40% of the population) German (<1% of the population) Religion Traditionally the vast majority of the Belgian population is Roman Catholic but less than 8% practice. Close to 30% of the population consider themselves agnostic. Islam is an important religion (approx. 4%). Also there are small minorities of Protestants and Jews. Currency EURO €

Geography Belgium has three main geographical regions: the coastal plain in the north-west (polders at or below sea level), the central plateau (fertile smooth valleys), and the Ardennes uplands (forested plateau) in the south-east. Belgium shares borders with France, Germany, Luxembourg, and Netherlands.

Diners Club enjoying less universal acceptance than MasterCard and Visa. Smaller retailers, restaurants and bars typically accept cash only. Telecommunications Belgium has a highly developed, technologically advanced communications infrastructure. The main fixed-line operators have made rapid progress building their ‘Next Generation’ networks (i.e. high-bandwidth IP network for voice, data, video, TV). There are three mobile phone service providers with national coverage. Broadband internet penetration is close to 20% of households.

Climate The climate is maritime temperate, with significant precipitation in all seasons Banks and foreign exchange Belgium’s financial institutions are worldclass, with no shortage of banks, bureaux de change and automatic tellers.

International Institutions and Embassies Brussels is home to the European Commission, NATO and a range of other international organizations. As such, Brussels is a major diplomatic center, with most major countries not only being represented by embassies but also by diplomatic missions to the EU.

Credit cards and cash All major credit cards can be used in Belgium, with American Express and

Medical facilities Belgium is recognized for its world-class medical expertise and facilities.

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ChapterS

Best of Belgium B E S T

O F

BELGIUM Chapter 1

20-35

Arts

Chapter 2

36-57

Diamonds

Chapter 3

58-79

Speciality Foods

Chapter 4

80-109

Dining and Hospitality

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Chapter 9

146-213

Chapter 8 138-145

Chapter 7 132-137

Chapter 6

120-131

Chapter 5

110-119

Sport

Fashion

Education

Healthcare

Economy and Industry

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A painting in a museum hears more ridiculous opinions than anything else in the world.

ÂŠ Christophe Ketels / Compagnie Gagarine

Edmond de Goncourt (1822 - 1896)

Chapter 1 Arts

Arts

Art News

Denkmal 11, Museum of Modern Art, 11 West 53 Street, New York, 2008. Module CDLV

In his first solo exhibition in the United States, contemporary Belgian visual artist Jan De Cock (b. 1976) showcased his work at New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) from January to April 2008. The exhibition, Denkmal 11, Museum of Modern Art, 11 West 53 Street, New York, 2008, consisted of a floor-to-ceiling photographic and plywood sculptural installation in response to the MoMA’s collection itself as well as images taken from the history of art, architecture and film. Denkmal translates as both “monument” in German and as a “mold of thinking” in Flemish. Through the mediums of photography and sculptural installation and in his signature encyclopaedic style, De Cock provides provocative ideas about the history and nature of modern art, architecture and what constitutes landmark monuments. This exhibition echoed De Cock’s work at London’s Tate Modern, where he created a series of installations and sculptures out of plywood which mimicked functional gallery furniture and prompted viewers to look at the building and its history in a new way. De Cock’s myriad photographs in this exhibition of famous modern images by artists such as Brancusi, Newman, Hopper and Judd are juxtaposed with film and architecture shots as well as his plywood installations. The use of repetitive framing devices, extreme close-ups and miniatures all work to stretch the viewer’s imagination and perspective on how they view art. Photos © Atelier Jan De Cock Courtesy Galerie Fons Welters and Galerie Luis Campaña

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Denkmal 11, Museum of Modern Art, 11 West 53 Street, New York, 2008. Module CCCXX, Module CCCXXI [Diptych 23]

phenomenon of Disney. Subjects of previous exhibitions have ranged from major historical events such as the Holocaust or the politics of the Belgian Congo to the inconsequential and the banal, such as wallpaper patterns, Christmas decorations and everyday objects. In “Forever”, Tuymans suggests, by means of eight new paintings and eight drawings, a grim reality behind the Disney fantasies of “social utopia”. With characteristic intensity, he explores the transformation of entertainment into ideology, and hints at the implicit dangers in a reality based on the production of magic.

Artist: Tuymans Luc. “Der Diagnostische Blick IV”, 1992 photographer: © Felix Tirry

Belgian conceptual artist Luc Tuymans (b.1958) is one of the most significant and influential painters working today. At a time when many artists believe painting has lost its relevance in the context of the information age, Tuymans has brought new life to the medium. He also makes extensive use of techniques from photography and film such as cropping, close-ups, framing and sequencing. In his latest exhibition, “Forever, The Management of Magic” (2008) at the David Swirner gallery in New York, Tuymans turns his gaze on the global but distinctly American

je me souviens (vue loin) © Thierry Renauld

l'envol, 2005 © Thierry Renauld

A large retrospective exhibition of the work of world-renowned Belgian artist, sculptor and illustrator Jean-Michel Folon takes place from April to September 2008 in a variety of locations across Belgium. Organised by the Folon Foundation in conjunction with the Office de promotion du Tourisme Wallonie-Bruxelles, the exhibition invites Belgian and foreign tourists to (re)discover the extraordinary work of Folon in different locations from Knokke to Marche-en-Famenne. Exhibition highlights include the collection of more than 500 artworks over 40 years at the farm of the Castle of La Hulpe, the home of the Folon Foundation situated in scenic Solvay Park. Some of Folon’s best known works include his forlorn but endearing urban Everymen figures as well as his soaring birdmen.

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‘Le Parlement de Musique’; photographer Alexander Ponet

VOX LUMINIS

Economy and Industry

The 2008 Festival de Wallonie focuses on nature through the theme “Songs of the Earth”. Drawing on the inspiration of the seasons, water and fauna and flora, this theme explore the music of nature in its many forms: a waterfall, a thunderstorm, a river or a whistling bird. Composer Benoît Mernier and world-traveller Alain Hubert are guests of honour at this year’s festival. In a programme of stories and music, they show the harmony between nature and music. One of Europe’s major classical music festivals, the Flanders Festival brings 350 concerts to the area over the course of several months. Key towns participating in the Festival include Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp, Ghent and Flemish Louvain, each with their separate line-ups. Antwerp’s festival focuses on Historically Informed Performance, recreating medieval or renaissance music as it might have sounded hundreds of years ago. Each year Laus Polyphoniae, an early music event that takes place annually during the last weeks of August, focuses on a certain repertoire or a certain composer. In 2008 Laus Polyphoniae will focus on the musical repertoire of the Hanseatic League. The Basilica Festival guarantees its audience concerts and music theatre of high quality. Highlights in 2008 include performances by the prize-winners of the Queen Elisabeth Competition, the International Frans Liszt Piano Competition in Utrecht and the International Quatuor Competition of Bordeaux. Flanders Opera’s 2008-2009 season is both a farewell and a new beginning. Marc Clémeur steps down as general director at the end of 2008 after 18 years and will be succeeded by the young Swiss Aviel Cahn. Last year Flanders Opera finished a remarkable cycle of Wagners Der Ring des Nibelungen. Clémeur will be saying farewell with a performance of Verdi’s final masterpiece Falstaff. The two other productions under his directorship scheduled for the autumn are Puccini’s Turandot and Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia. Aviel Cahn takes charge from the beginning of 2009 with four operas around the theme of “Utopia” — Tchaikovsky’s Mazeppa, Mozart’s Cosi fan Tutte, Camille Saint-Saëns’ Samson et Dalila and the contemporary opera Aquarius by the Flemish composer Karel Goeyvaerts. Samson et Dalila will be a highpoint of the season, bringing together the young Palestinian Amir Nizar Zuabi and the experienced Israeli Omri Nitzan in a “topical insight into the mechanics of religiously and politically motivated fanaticism”. Flanders Opera performs in two historical buildings in Ghent and Antwerp.

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The Royal Ballet of Flanders stands alone today as the sole classical ballet company in Belgium. Founded thirtynine years ago by the visionary Jeanne Brabants, the company started as an off-shoot of the Opera, but rapidly achieved international recognition. Now the Royal Ballet of Flanders is ready to start a fourth season under the inspiring artistic direction of Kathryn Bennetts. She has broken new ground, seeking to bridge the gap between tradition and experiment. The innovative developments have to do with people, with an exchange between choreographers and an artistic director with a vision. In the short period Bennetts has been director, the repertoire, has proved rich and varied and bears witness to a distinct signature: sparkling and bright, the

dance performances particularly refined. The season 2007-2008 has brought a completely new repertoire including such renowned choreographers as William Forsythe, Jiri Kylian, George Balanchine, Marcia Haydee and Christian Spuck. With this season alone including four world premieres by Jorma Elo, Matteo Moles, Cayetano Soto and Michael Corder, creativity remains at the forefront. Although the season began on a very exciting note with performances of „Impressing the Czar“ at the Edinburgh Festival, the undoubted highlight of the touring schedule this season was the performances at the Lincoln Center Festival in New York in July. In today’s varied dancescape the Royal Ballet of Flanders more strongly than ever claims its place.

Highlights of the 2007-2008 season of the Liege-based Opera Royal de Wallonie include Verdi favourites Nabucco and Don Carlo, Puccini’s Tosca, La Vie Parisienne by Offenbach and Savary, and Edouard Lalo’s Le Roi d’Ys. Visiting artists include conductors Paolo Arrivabeni and Giovanni Antonini, directors Yoisha Oida and Giardino Armonico, and singers Yonghoon Lee, Mark Rucker and Susan Neves.

Hungarian tenor Szabolcs Brickner won the Grand Prize in the 2008 International Queen Elisabeth singing competition, which took place in Brussels at the end of May. Brickner, who studies with the legendary operatic tenor Nicolai Gedda, has appeared at the Budapest Opera House in Die Zauberflöte and L’Elisir d’Amore. Mezzosopranos Isabelle Druet from France and Bernadetta Grabias from Poland were the runners-up.

A new museum dedicated to Belgian surrealist master René Magritte is to open in Brussels in June 2009. The museum on the Place Royale will feature some 170 works by Magritte, making it the world’s biggest and most diverse collection of its kind. Among his most famous pictures are The Son of Man, depicting a bowlerhatted figure with an apple floating before his face, and Ceci n’est pas une pipe (This is not a pipe), which depicts a pipe. French group Suez is contributing €4 million to the project.

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Grand-Hornu is an old industrial mining complex - a remarkable reminder of the Industrial Revolution. Built between 1810 and 1830 by Henri De Gorge, a captain of industry of French origin, it is a real urban project, an example of functional town-planning unique on the European continent at the start of the great era of industrialisation. Built in the Neo-classical style, GrandHornu consists of workshops, offices, a workers’ estate and the administrators’ residence, known as “De Gorge Castle”. With their arcades, pediments and halfmoon windows, the colliery workshops and offices form a majestic whole. The estate was later provided with a school, a library, public baths, a dance hall and a hospital. Grand-Hornu is a complex which is both exceptional and representative of an era - a grandiose project, yet not excessive in any way, where we find balance and harmony between the stylistic and functional aspects of the architecture. Grand-Hornu, which is now the property of the Province of Hainaut, is developing a contemporary project allying culture, tourism, technology and futurology.

The International Film Festival Ghent celebrates its 35th anniversary in October 2008 with screenings of more than 200 films and shorts and free live performances of top film scores by the Brussels Philharmonic orchestra. The concerts will feature crowdpleasing tunes by top film score composers such as John Williams (Harry Potter, Indiana Jones), Craig Armstrong (World Trade Centre, Love Actually), John Powell (Ice Age, Mr and Mrs Smith) and Nicola Piovani (La Vita e bella). The festival also marks the occasion of the 8th annual World Soundtrack Awards. Guests of honour at this year’s ceremony are Angelo Badalamenti, best known for his soundtrack work with American film director David Lynch, and Dario Marianelli, who won an Oscar for his soundtrack to Atonement in 2007.

Opening Kunstenfestivaldesarts08

Popular, anarchic, eclectic, committed. These are some of the adjectives to describe Les Ballets C de la B, an internationally successful Belgian dance company with a reputation for bold and vigorous physical theatre delivered through an eclectic mix of styles and media. Using a variety of choreographers, Les Ballets also develops promising young performing artists from different backgrounds. Their latest production is Patchagonia, Argentinian choreographer Lisi Estaràs’s debut work for the company, which explores themes of loneliness, violence and emotion in the desolate landscape of Patagonia. The bold and haunting performances of the four dancers and three on-stage musicians suggest that Estaràs is a choreographer to watch for the future.

Arts

Rosas, the dance ensemble and production company founded by choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, premiered its new creation Zeitung at the Théâtre de la Ville in Paris in January 2008 to glowing reviews. Exploring the intersection of music and dance, the Rosas dancers combine the simple building blocks of choreography with a considerable amount of improvisation. Pianist Alain Franco takes as his medium the harmonious confrontation between Bach, Schoenberg and Webern. De Keersmaeker says that in Zeitung the “harmony between music and dance does not develop from similarity or parallelism but momentarily, where the two intersect. ... Dance and music depart from different stations and it is the run-up to the intersection that stimulates the conditions of harmony”.

One of Europe’s great festivals, the annual Brussels-based Kunstenfestivaldesarts offers contemporary works of art by a range of artists in 20 diverse venues around the city. Kunstenfestivaldesarts 08 provides a platform for international performing artists from Europe, India, Japan, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand while also supporting and presenting new works by a young generation of Belgians to an international audience. One innovative show, Call Cutta in a box, by the German collective Rimini Protokoll, provides spectators with the opportunity to experience a live telephone conversation with a call-centre employee in Kolkata, who is paid to provide theatre for a European audience. Through bringing diverse viewpoints in original languages onto a cosmopolitan stage, the festival values differences, both global and local, and seeks to unite communities through the arts.

Franco Dragone, the Belgian creative mastermind behind Cirque du Soleil, has directed a number of spectacular shows since he left Cirque du Soleil in 2000 to start his own production company (Dragone). Two of the biggest productions in the history of Las Vegas, Celine Dion’s concert extravaganza “A New Life” at Caesar’s Palace and the dazzling aquatic production Le Rêve at Wynn Las Vegas continue to be very successful. Since 2007 Dragone has also directed musicaltheatre with “Carmen: A New Musical” at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego. This show breathes new life into Prosper Mérimée’s brutal tale of sensuality, passion and obsession, infusing it with dazzling imagery, original music and dance.

Capilla Flamenca are a group of Belgian singers with a gift for discovering and bringing to life rarely-heard choral repertoire and placing it within an interesting context. Their recent CD Desir d’aymer is a harmonious celebration of the amorous senses. Included in the collection are several songs from Ottaviano Petrucci’s Harmonice Musices Odhecaton (1501), which brings together in printed form polyphonic music mainly from the Low Countries.

From Inside © Thierry De Mey

Charleroi / Danses, a leading Belgian association of artists focusing on contemporary dance, is an off-shoot of the former Ballet Royal de Wallonie. Their 20082009 season begins with Metamorphoses, directed by Belgian choreographer Frédéric Flamand with costumes by the Brazilian brothers Humberto & Fernando Campana. Inspired by Ovid’s classical mythological poem, Flamand’s work progresses through nine scenes, each one showing nature, man and the gods in a state of flux. The production depicts the excitement and terror of transformations with the help of the Campanas’ imaginatively recycled materials.

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Arts

The Ghent International Film Festival – Where Music Sets the Tone

Danny Glover (2007)

The Ghent Film Festival (Flanders International Film Festival-Ghent) was established in 1974 as a students’ film festival, and has since developed into one of Europe’s most prominent film events.

Every year in October, the festival presents some 120 features and 50 shorts from all across the world. A range of different film programs are showcased, attracting over 100,000 viewers each year. The International Federation of Film Producers Associations (IFFPA) recognises this festival as a competitive festival primarily geared towards the ‘impact of music on film’. There are 4 awards up for grabs and around 15 entrants. With its focus on film music, the Ghent Film Festival has its own unique place

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in international festivals. Every year, the festival organises film music concerts, giving composers of film scores the platform they deserve. Composers such as Ennio Morricone, Gabriel Yared, Elmer Bernstein, Michael Kamen, Patrick Doyle, Howard Shore, Georges Delerue, Hans Zimmer, Maurice Jarre, Craig Armstrong, HarryGregson Williams, Mychael Danna, Gustavo Santaolalla are some of the many film music legends who have already taken the stage at Ghent. Since 2001, the Ghent Film Festival

has also organised the World Soundtrack Awards, the most prestigious soundtrack awards in the world. Each year, the best soundtrack composers are honoured and receive international recognition for their work. This pioneering role has certainly had an impact. Ghent has grown into a meeting point for established and up-and-coming musical talent and ever greater numbers of festivals play soundtracks from the wings. Since 2004, even the European Film Academy – encouraged by the Ghent Film

Director David Cronenberg and actor Viggo Mortensen (2005) Actress Kathleen Turner, director Walter Hill and festival director Jacques Dubrulle (2007)

Lord Richard Attenborough (2007)

Festival - has honoured the best European soundtrack composers. Trade paper Variety placed the festival in its top 50 must attend festivals of the world because of this focus on (film)music. American financial newspaper The Wall Street Journal called the festival one of the five European Film Festivals with character and Hollywood Reporter described the festival as one of the most intriguing stops on the international fest circuit. Yet there is more to the Ghent Film Festival than just soundtracks alone. Every

year, numerous international guests from the world of film flock to Ghent to present their films to the general public. Over the past years, the festival has welcomed filmmakers such as Kathleen Turner, Viggo Mortensen, David Cronenberg, Mike Leigh, François Ozon, Jeanne Moreau, Gina Lollobrigida, Tom Tykwer, Lord Richard Attenborough, Todd Haynes, Sir Peter Ustinov, Walter Hill, Danny Glover, Sidney Pollack, Jane Birkin, Luc Besson, Mike Figgis, Morgan Freeman, Fatih Akin, Andy Garcia, Melanie Griffith, Robert Altman, Juliette Binoche, Sandra Bullock, Brad Pitt, Ken Loach and Michael Haneke. In addition to the screenings, the Ghent Film Festival also organises film-related exhibitions. Thus the prestigious Stanley Kubrick exhibition, which was previously shown in Berlin, Melbourne and Frankfurtam-Main, was brought to Ghent before other world cities such as Rome, Paris and London. Film fanatics have also been able to see exhibitions of film maker Peter Greenaway,

animation film maker Raoul Servais, and the large exhibition Cités-Cinés with over 450,000 visitors. The Ghent Film Festival will continue to keep a close watch on international film developments in order to organise a festival that is as captivating as possible. To this end, a fresh, young team works hard day after day. The 35th edition of the Ghent Film Festival is scheduled for October 7th-18th, 2008. Once again “The impact of music on film” is the overall theme. More than 150 films will be shown at Kinepolis Ghent, Sphinx, Studio Skoop and Arts Centre Vooruit.

Ghent Film Festival (Flanders International Film Festival-Ghent), Leeuwstraat 40b, B-9000 Ghent Tel: +32 (0)9 242 80 60 Fax: + 32(0)9 221 90 74 info@filmfestival.be www.filmfestival.be www.worldsoundtrackacademy.com

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Arts

The Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition of Belgium

In memory of the renowned Belgian violinist Eugène Ysaÿe, Queen Elisabeth worked on fulfilling the wish they had shared: to bring together in Brussels the finest young musicians, at an event celebrating their art in a spirit of friendship.

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Winner Queen Elisabeth wedstrijd Szabolcs BRICKNER © Laurent Friob © Bruno Vessié

Up to the end of the 60s, candidates came mainly from Europe and the United States. Since then, young musicians from Asia and Australia - increasingly open to Western European culture and mastering to the highest degree its repertoire and styles of music - have also travelled to the heart of Europe, recognising the substantial assistance and prestige which the Competition can provide. The piano, singing, violin and composition

competitions attract the premier soloists, chamber musicians and teachers of tomorrow, all contributing to the lasting heritage of Europe’s musical history since the 17th century. The Competition owes its reputation primarily to the quality of its jury-members and prizewinners. The presence of so many men and women musicians from all over the world in Brussels each spring contributes to the international flavour of Brussels life. Queen Elisabeth was convinced of the benefits to society which the Arts and the bringing together of different peoples can provide. 50 years later, her message to respect and listen to each other seems as relevant as ever.

Secretariat of the Queen Elisabeth Competition 20, rue aux Laines B-1000 Brussels Tel : +32 2 213 40 50 Fax : +32 2 514 32 97 info@qeimc.be

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Arts

Rosas Rosas is the contemporary dance company founded and lead by the Belgian choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker.

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A fine selection of international reputable dancers contributes to the steady growth of the company’s multifaceted oeuvre. The company is based in Brussels and tours its productions worldwide. After studying dance in Brussels and New York, choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker founded her company Rosas in Brussels in 1983. Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker’s first choreography for the brand-new company was Rosas danst Rosas - a piece that the company borrowed its name from, and that brought it an instantaneous international breakthrough. De Keersmaeker soon established herself as one of Europe’s most exciting and innovating choreographers. With Rosas she would give Belgium a prominent place in the dance landscape. In 1992 Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker was invited as resident choreographer at De Munt, the Brussels opera house: a cooperation that was carried on until 2007. Rosas and De Munt jointly set up the international educational project PARTS, the Performing Arts Research and Training Studios, directed by Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker. Today the dance school, which offers a four-year curriculum, houses talented students from all over the world. From the very start De Keersmaeker set the tone of Rosas’ work with her characteristic dance vocabulary and tightly structured choreographies. Her movements often highlight singular parts of a dancer’s body - head, hip, foot, hand - and show the beauty and significance of small human gestures. De

Keersmaeker applies rigorous patterns and structures in her choreographies, creating fascinating rhythms. Fairly soon De Keersmaeker left the confines of pure dance and ventured into the realms of text theatre and live music, creating at times complex but highly enjoyable performances that blend the different disciplines. A sense of nonchalance and playfulness has given more buoyancy to her precise style. De Keersmaeker is fond of selecting such great composers as Bartók, Bach, Mozart and Ligeti for her work, but she has also cooperated with experimental composers like Thierry De Mey (B), Peter Vermeersch (B), or with the ethno-jazz quartet of Aka Moon (B). She has a special preference for American composer Steve Reich, whose music she has used in several pieces. The most recent Rosas creations include D’un soir un jour (2006), Steve Reich Evening (2007), Keeping Still (2007) and Zeitung (2008). Source: www.vti.be

Van Volxemlaan 164, 1190 Brussels Phone: +32 2 344 55 98 Fax: +32 2 343 53 52 mail@rosas.be www.rosas.be www.parts.be Rosas is supported by the Flemish authorities.

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Arts

Muziektheater Transparant Opera for a new generation

Villa Vivaldi © Herman Sorgeloos

Muziektheater Transparant is a production company which takes a wide-open look at opera and musical theatre. With a mix of old and new, of conventional and extra-ordinary, it shifts the boundaries of the genres and places the voice firmly at the centre of the projects. Because of the flexible production methods, the variety of shows and the artistic diversity of the artists in residence, general director Guy Coolen has made of Transparant a unique organisation with a solid national and international character.

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“Transparant guarantees the future of the opera.” (Gerard Mortier) With a most open approach towards the possiblities of musical theatre, Transparant aspires to create opera for a new generation. The main aim is to bring together distinct genres, disciplines and ideas. Classical operas must be staged in a way relevant in today’s world, new operas should take the genre forward. Transparant pays particular attention to offering contemporary musicians the chance to develop and try new work. It

has produced operas by Wim Henderickx, and worked with composers like Jan Van Outryve and Eric Sleichim. A more theatrical approach is added with directors Caroline Petrick, Wouter Van Looy and Josse De Pauw. Annelies Van Parys and Joachim Brackx, two most promising Flemish composers, are invited for a three-year residence to put their first steps in music theatre. The importance of being international The productions of Transparant are touring

RUHE © Herman Sorgeloos

Die Entführung aus dem Paradies © Herman Sorgeloos

Wolpe! © Herman Sorgeloos

all over the world, from the Flemish cultural centres to big international festivals including Salzburger Festspiele, Avignon Festival, Holland Festival, Kunstenfestivaldesarts, and Edinburgh International Festival. Transparant has also played an integral part in the music programming at European Cities of Culture in Bruges, Salamanca and Lille. In Stavanger 2008, Transparant was the music theatre company in residence during February, and engaged in a profound collaboration with the local artists. An

A girl a boy a river © Koen Broos

invitation for Linz 2009 signed up already. In February 2008 Muziektheater Transparant spent a whole month in Norway, in Stavanger European Cultural Capital of 2008. Intendant Mary Miller about the Transparant: ‘A lot of artists and ensembles are coming to Stavanger to perform and show what they can do. Then they leave us. However, this is not the case with the Flemish group from Antwerp. They run Muziektheater Transparant and have plotted Stavanger on their cultural map.’ (in Stavanger Aftenblad, 03.10.07) Unique in this international regard, is the Institute for Living Voice project, a peripatetic workshop at which singers and musicians from all musical traditions come together to hold workshops and give recitals. Students meet master singers, traditional ethnic songs meet vocal experiments. Between it’s founding in 2000 by Transparant and David Moss, the Institute welcomed between others Barbara Bonney, Christina Branco, Omar Ebrahim, Nona Henderickx, Phil Minton, Meredith Monk, and Sainko Namtchylak.

composers, Eric Sleichim, Annelies van Parys and Jan Van Outryve, have composed contemporary music for these films. Other than this the focus will be on early 20th-century music: Claire Chevallier, Benoît van Innis and Josse De Pauw will appear on stage with Poulenc’s Babar and Satie’s Le Fils des Etoiles. Caroline Petrick will work on the Harawi songs by Olivier Messiaen and there will be a revival of Wolpe! - a musical-theatre production she made together with Viviane De Muynck, Johan Bossers and Gunnar Brandt-Sigurdsson. Early musical work will be performed in Wouter Van Looy’s new production (after) The Fairy Queen (Purcell), in which the top conductor Emmanuelle Haïm and her baroque ensemble, Le Concert d’Astrée, will participate. More baroque musique can be heard in the revivals of Waar is mijn ziel? (Monteverdi) with the B’rock baroque ensemble and in RUHE (Schubert) with Collegium Vocale Gent directed by Josse De Pauw. About 45 young singers and musicians from Flanders and Friesland will be working on Rameau’s Platée for the annual youth opera workshop. All this young talent will be coached by the director Ruud Gielens and the musical supervisors Jan Van Outryve, Thomas Baeté, Ayala Sircon and Marcin Lasia. For the full programme and venues nearby, read more at www.transparant.be.

On the play list in 08-09 Muziektheater Transparant gave a composition assignment to the young composer Joachim Brackx. Die Entführung aus dem Paradies will be his first big musicaltheatre production with the première in the Flemish Opera in Antwerp (June 09). In it he works together with the writer and librettist Oscar van den Boogaard. Joachim Brackx is also involved in Pour vos Beaux Yeux, a project based on a series of restored silent movies from the 1920s and 30s by the Belgian film directors Henri Storck and Charles Dekeukeleire. Apart from Joachim Brackx, the other house

Muziektheater Transparant vzw Leopoldplaats 10 bus 1 B-2000 Antwerpen Tel: + 32 (0)3 225 17 02 (ma-vr.: tussen 10-18u) Fax: + 32 (0)3 22616 52 Email: info@transparant.be www.transparant.be

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I have never hated a man enough to give his diamonds back.

ÂŠ Diamond Museum Antwerp - Ceara Mc Guire

Zsa Zsa Gabor (1919 - )

Chapter 2 Diamonds

Diamonds

Antwerp and Diamonds, a Love Story

Antwerp has long been associated with diamonds. By 2007, more than half of the world’s consumption of rough, as well as polished and industrial diamonds, is traded in Antwerp, realising an annual turnover of 42 billion US$.

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The diamond sector represents 12% of the Flemish export and is one of the most important ambassadors and economic mainstays of the country. 1800 diamond companies have their headquarters in this heavily guarded zone, with its four diamond bourses. Specialised diamond banks, security and transport firms, brokers, consultants, schools, travel agents and of course hotels and restaurants are all part of this lively society. We shall probably never know when the first diamonds were discovered, but we do know that, from ancient times until the eighteenth century, diamonds came from India. In the 14th and 15th century Venice became the most important world trade

centre because of its link and flourishing trade relations with the East. The city even became the most important mercantile republic in the western world. It enjoyed a monopoly of the diamond trade for diamonds on its way to the main cities of southern Germany up to its final destination in Bruges. Lying as it did at the far end of the trade route, Bruges gradually developed into a flourishing diamond-cutting centre and the city’s reputation in this field steadily increased within time. Although Bruges maintained its pre-eminent position up to the end of the fourteenth century, within fifty years it began to decline because of the silting of the Zwin. The diamond trade, along with Bruges’s many other economic activities, gradually shifted to the city of Antwerp

of the reasons for the decline of Antwerp as diamond trade centre at that time. From the 19th century onwards, Antwerp could again profile itself as Diamond City and World Diamond Centre. In 1866 the first diamonds were discovered in South Africa. This discovery, followed a few years later by the discovery of the Kimberley deposits and the fabulous Kimberley era as well as the rise of the now-famous De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd. resulted in large-scale prospecting and mining activities, which brought Europe massive supplies of rough diamonds. This massive influx of rough stones following the discoveries in South Africa was instrumental in contributing to the city’s status of Antwerp as the world’s leading diamond centre. Within a few months, this massive influx provided work for thousands of craftsmen, and the swift revival of diamond cutting in Antwerp was further stimulated by an ever-growing demand for gemstones. The depression of the 1930s hit the diamond trade in Antwerp hard. The cutting shops were sometimes shut down completely for several weeks at a time. The situation remained difficult but things grew worse with the outbreak of the Second World War. In 1939 many Jewish businessmen fled the country and went to the United States, Portugal or England, where more than 500 diamond dealers from Antwerp continued to meet and to do business. In an attempt to save as much of the existing diamond stocks as possible from the Germans, the 500 dealers in England transferred the diamonds there. In agreement with the British government, an organisation known as the Correspondence Office for the Diamond Industry was set up to register the diamonds and keep them for the duration of the war. Thanks to this organisation large quantities of diamonds were returned to their owners after the city was liberated and the Antwerp diamond industry got off to a promising start when the war was ended. The Antwerp diamond business thanks its rise after World War II to the Jewish community in Antwerp.

since the second half of the 15th century. Antwerp offered newer and better facilities for communications and exchange. In the sixteenth century Antwerp was an expanding and flourishing city. By this time Antwerp (and Lisbon) became the most important world centre(s) for diamonds and Antwerp specifically already played a determining role in the development of diamond-working techniques. It is significant, for example, that François I did not call on the diamond cutters of Paris but placed his orders with the craftsmen of Antwerp. Antwerp was at that time the commercial heart of Europe: approximately 40% of the world trade passed through its port. Naturally the diamond business occupied a favoured place. In fact diamond ‘manufacturing’ (cutting/polishing) and diamond trade used to be a flourishing business in Antwerp until the 17th century. This because fewer diamonds from the Indian mines became available. In 1727 diamonds were already imported from Brazil, but more than 160 of the 180 guild members (of the Guild for Diamond and Rubin Cutters) were unemployed. The liberation of the trade in jewellery and gems in 1754 made the situation even worse for the diamond ‘manufacturers’ (cutters/polishers). The diamond merchants on the other hand were better off during the 17th and 18th century in Antwerp. So, although the northern Netherlands (Amsterdam) acquired more grip on the diamond business, Antwerp’s decline did not occur overnight and despite internal struggles such as the conflict between the New Guild of Diamond Cutters and the rich merchants, the city’s prestige remained apparently intact up to the middle of the seventeenth century. The diamond trade itself continued to flourish. For example, the French king Louis XVI ordered the re-polishing of his crown jewellery in Antwerp in 1787. During the first half of the 18th century, the Englishman James Dormer (1708-1758) tried to establish a monopoly for the import of Brazilian diamonds but the Portuguese king gave Amsterdam the monopoly. This was one

The city knew various Jewish families from the 16th century on, mostly with roots in Portugal. The Jewish community played an important role in the foundation of ‘Beurs voor Diamanthandel’ (1904), one of the four diamond bourses, and the launch of the ‘Kempische’ diamond craftsmanship. Today the diamond business is run by people from very different nationalities, of which the Indian community is nowadays the strongest. The coordinating body and official representative of the diamond sector, is the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC): an official organisation, recognised internationally and acting as host, spokesperson and intermediary for the Belgian diamond community. AWDC is the Belgian diamond sector’s official liaison with governments, and actively promotes support for the diamond sector, home and abroad (www.awdc.be)

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Diamonds

The Antwerp Diamond Heritage

Antwerp is situated in Belgium, the heart of Europe. The city on the banks of the river Scheldt has always been a centre of commerce and culture.

Today, Antwerp is the major city of Flanders. It is situated at the crossroads of international traffic, at a half hour’s drive from Brussels, the Belgian capital and the headquarters of the European Community. Since 1447, Antwerp has been synonymous with quality diamonds and superior craftsmanship. Thanks to its harbour, Antwerp was a place of unlimited opportunities. The Diamond industry expanded considerably due to strong commercial relations with neighbours. The Antwerp World Diamond Centre was born.

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Lodewijck Van Bercken was said to have invented the process of polishing diamonds with diamonds. In his honour, a statue was erected at the Meir. Today, Antwerp still has the best diamond workers in the world. Antwerp Cut is the trade mark for perfectly processed diamonds. Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) Founded in 1973 as the “Hoge Raad voor Diamant” (HRD) or the “Diamond High Council”, and reformed into a private foundation called Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) in 2007, AWDC is the officially recognised representative

organisation of the Belgian diamond trade and –industry, acting as a spokesman and co-ordinator of all activities in the diamond sector. It is the marketing organization of the Antwerp diamantaires. Antwerp World Diamond Centre is more than ever committed to maintaining a healthy and prosperous diamond industry. Antwerp exports to over 90 countries, spreading the quality image and the philosophy of the Antwerp diamond sector. AWDC Marketing Department Visitors can appeal to the AWDC Marketing Department for any kind of information:

• HRD Awards, an international Diamond Jewellery Contest Every two years the AWDC organizes the HRD Awards, an international diamond jewellery design competition with the chance for a jewellery designer to win not only a prestigious international award, but to stake his or her place on the global jewellery map. The HRD Awards is widely recognized as the world’s leading design contest in creative and innovative diamond jewellery. The contest is open to all designers and to date it has promoted twenty years of creativity and experimentation in contemporary diamond jewellery design. More information on www.hrdawards.be. • Antwerp Facets The Antwerp Facets is the Antwerp Trade magazine that keeps you posted on the current Antwerp Diamond market situation and much more. Issued 4 times a year. Antwerp Facets Online is the weekly internet version. • Antwerp Diamond Conference, the World Diamond Industry Forum The AWDC organizes the Antwerp Diamond Conference, at which world and industry leaders gather to address the issues of the day. In recent years the conference has become a hallmark event for the trade worldwide. At the same time, it provides a platform for intensive networking among the world’s leading professionals in the diamond and jewellery business, right in the heart of Antwerp, the leading diamond centre of the world. In the past the conference has hosted such speakers as Al Gore, William J. Clinton – 42nd President of the United States, De Beers Chairman Nicky Oppenheimer, Thabo Mbeki, President of South Africa and H.E. Ellen JohnsonSirleaf, President of Liberia. More information on www.antwerpdiamondconference.be. • Exclusive Diamond Jewellery Exhibitions As part of its mission to promote Antwerp as the pre-eminent international diamond centre, the AWDC has over the years organised a series of world-class exhibitions of diamond jewellery. The purpose of these exhibitions is to elevate Antwerp’s role in the jewellery business, in addition to the position its holds as a

Trade proposals, promotional material, documentation service, backstage tour…

diamond manufacturing and trading centre. A minimum of two years is required to prepare for such an event. Selection criteria are very strict, so as to ensure spectacular and exclusive diamond jewellery collections. The first exhibition in the series took place in 1993, and it was one of the highlights during a festive year in which Antwerp was declared the “Cultural Capital of Europe.” Called “From the Treasury,” it featured a unique collection of historic and contemporary gems, as well as jewels belonging to royal houses. The jewellery was loaned by an impressive list of museums, exclusive jewellery houses, auction houses and private collectors. The royal houses themselves cooperated in the organisation of the event. “From the Treasury” opened at the Province House of Antwerp in the presence of their royal highnesses, Prince Albert and Princess Paola, today King and Queen of the Belgians. Following the spectacular success of the first exhibition, the AWDC decided to repeat this initiative on a regular basis. Successful exhibitions were held again in 1997, 2002 and 2008 called “Diamond Divas”. Preparations are already underway for the fifth edition, planned for 2012. • Antwerp Diamond Pavilions and Trade Missions AWDC is more than ever committed in maintaining a healthy and prosperous diamond industry, spreading the quality image of the Antwerp diamond sector. This philosophy is perfectly embodied in the Antwerp Diamond Pavilions. AWDC communicates the superiority of Antwerp diamonds to the major

consumer markets through the organisation of Antwerp Diamond pavilions at all major diamond and jewellery trade fairs worldwide. Antwerp Diamond Pavilions are organized in Vicenza, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Mumbai, Dubai, Las Vegas, Macau… Diamond Office Diamond Office is unique in the world and acts as a customs broker for the import and export of diamonds and handles all the paperwork for this process, a considerable service to the diamond companies. Operated by AWDC and in collaboration with the financial and economic services of the Federal Government, Diamond Office ensures rapid and efficient controls. Your guarantee for conflict free diamonds. International Affairs Antwerp (AWDC) has played a leading role in the implementation of the Kimberley Process Certification System. This system was formally adopted in 2003 and guards against conflict diamonds entering the legitimate diamond supply chain. Today 71 governments have enshrined into their national law the Kimberley Process Certification System. Visit us at www.awdc.be, your virtual guide to the Antwerp World Diamond Centre.

Practical information AWDC Marketing Department Hoveniersstraat 22 – B-2018 Antwerp Tel: +32 3 222 05 11 Fax: +32 3 222 05 46 E-mail: info@awdc.be www.awdc.be

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Diamonds

HRD Antwerp: The Blueprint for Quality There are only a limited number of immediately recognised brand names in the international diamond business. One is “Antwerp” and another, inexorably linked to the former, is “HRD.” They are linked in a company called HRD Antwerp, which serves the diamond industry for more than 30 years. HRD Antwerp NV operates six divisions: Diamond Lab (which issues one of the world’s most respected diamond certificates), Education, Graduates Club, Precious Stones Lab, Equipment and Research. HRD Antwerp achieves international prominence in the diamond industry by proving time and time again its ability to anticipate needs and offer solutions. “The goal of HRD Antwerp is to provide high quality services to the industry worldwide, with a strong emphasis on the substantial body of scientific research it carries out independently.” explained Dirk Dullaert, HRD Antwerp’s commercial director. Diamond Lab Demand for diamond grading reports has grown dramatically in recent years, as consumers increasingly demand independent and concrete documentation of their purchases. Based on this growing demand worldwide, HRD Antwerp has opened representative offices in Mumbai, Shanghai and Hong Kong. It also launched HRD Antwerp Lab Link, a diamond grading and certification pick-up and drop off service in Tel Aviv, Hong Kong, Mumbai and Dubai. HRD Antwerp Lab Link offers a full service for customers who like to receive a HRD Antwerp certificate for their diamonds. The service guarantees that diamonds are picked up by a professional logistic company and sent to Antwerp. Within 15 days, the customer receives back his diamond with an HRD Antwerp diamond certificate. This service is offered at very competitive prices. HRD Antwerp diamond certificate guarantees that the stone examined is indeed a real diamond, and contains a full and detailed quality description, focussing on the famous 4C’s – Carat (weight), Colour, Clarity and Cut. The report includes a complete quality description of the diamond including shape, weight, clarity grade, fluorescence, colour grade, possibly supplemented with comments. The HRD Antwerp Diamond Lab is the largest diamond grading organisation worldwide to confirm to the standards of the International Diamond Council, by the World Federation of Diamond Bourses and the International Diamond Manufacturers Association, the industry’s two leading representative bodies. The Diamond Lab was also the first diamond

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lab ever to receive accreditation by the International Standards Organisation, and currently operates according to the demanding standards of NBN EN ISO/IEC 17025. Underpinning the work at the lab is the Research Department. Located at a dedicated facility in the nearby town of Lier, the institute has a team of scientists, engineers and laboratory staff carrying out research into diamond properties, as well as applied research to assist the diamond industry and to provide specialized services to the sector. One of these new services is called ‘Hearts and Arrows by HRD Antwerp’. Hearts and Arrows diamonds (H&A) are round brilliants with special patterns visible under specific lighting conditions. They consist of eight hearts when viewed from the pavilion side and eight arrows when viewed from the crown side. The appearance of the pattern is a strong indicator of a top quality cut. HRD Antwerp ordered a research project to solve several problems linked with grading this pattern. Today companies can ask for such an HRD certificate for a diamond. With objective criteria and digital imaging is determined whether a diamond meets the Hearts & Arrows standard. At the same time, diamond professionals receive accurate and repeatable feedback to assist them in the manufacturing and sales process.

Education For more than two decades, the Educational Department of HRD Antwerp created a strong reputation for developing and conducting diamond grading programmes for students and professionals from Antwerp and overseas. The Educational Department also runs programs for the study of gemstones. In operation since 1982, HRD Antwerp has created courses for people from across the diamond chain, including diamond traders and graders, diamond specialists in other sectors, managers and professional staff in the diamond and jewellery industries, appraisers, gemmologists and jewellery designers. The institute has created new programs for short training courses, which enable it to provide a broad range of courses lasting from three days to five weeks. The three-day course introduces participants to the 4Cs; while the five-week course is on diamond grading. The gemmology course was split into

two programs, basic and advanced, of three weeks’ duration. HRD Antwerp started recently with classes on the use of diamonds in jewellery design. It teaches the students how to transfer creative ideas to practical concepts. Leveraging its scientific knowledge, the Educational Department works with the company’s research division to keep up date with the latest developments in the diamond industry and adapt courses and classes to meet demand. All the latest technical and technological developments on the diamond market are included in its programs. In addition to its in-demand courses in Antwerp, HRD Antwerp provides courses around the world, thus saving time and expenses for companies who can ill-afford to have employees away from their offices. These courses have taken place in cities as far apart as Cairo, Madrid, Dubai, Beirut, Bari, Hong Kong and Shanghai. The purpose of a diamond certificate is to offer the customer the highest security possible. HRD Antwerp applies the newest technology that allows somebody to check that his diamond corresponds to its certificate. Today you can ask for a laser inscription that is put on the girdle of the precious stone. This inscription carries the stone number that is mentioned on the certificate.

And if this is not sufficient, you can always check that the certificate is original. For that purpose HRD Antwerp has started an internet service. If you visit the HRD Antwerp website (www.hrdantwerp.be) and enter the certificate number of your diamond, you will find your electronic certificate as it is stored in the data base from HRD Antwerp. The data of any diamond graded in the HRD Antwerp Diamond Lab will be kept in the computer memory as long as 10 years.’

HRD Antwerp NV Hoveniersstraat 22 2018 Antwerpen, Belgium Tel: +32 (0)3 222.06.11 Fax: + 32 (0)3 222.06.99 E-mail: info@hrdantwerp.be www.hrdantwerp.be

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Diamonds

The Diamond Museum in Antwerp

The Diamond Museum: a BrilliAntwerp Story!

Dog Collar ‘Hidra’, 2003, bruikleen AWDC

“Cutting a large diamond is hypnotic. You live, sleep and breathe the diamond. It takes over your life.”

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Diamonds and Antwerp have been so closely linked for centuries that the ‘Sinjoren’ (those born and bred in Antwerp) dubbed it ‘t Steentje’ or the Little Stone! Antwerp first acquired name and fame for the Little Stone around 1580, partly thanks to the religious tolerance that prevailed here. However, Antwerp’s definitive development as the diamond region only began at the end of the 19th century, with the mining of new diamond fields in South Africa. In the Diamond Museum, a Province of Antwerp initiative, one discovers how the global character of the ‘t Steentje’ and the profound human emotions attached to it, are the leitmotif of Antwerp’s Brilliant Diamond Story. It is a story of ordinary people and extraordinary events which are condensed in the diamond history of the Province of Antwerp: processing and craftsmanship in the Campine/“Kempen”, trade and commerce in the metropolis. The Diamond Museum provides insight into this wondrous world of the hardest

and most fascinating stone in the world, which can be transformed into a dazzling diamond jewel, brilliantly cut by Antwerp craftsmen: a BrilliAntwerp Story! Antwerp’s diamond cutters are indeed world famous. Like Marcel Tolkowsky (18991991), celebrated for his invention of the ideal brilliant diamond cut in an optimal number of facets, in order to achieve maximum brilliance: a technique which is still used today. And master cutter Gaby Tolkowsky who was invited by the diamond concern De Beers to work on the prestigious Centenary and Golden Jubilee diamonds at the end of the 1980s, a process which took him three years. Antwerp quality and Antwerp cut, synonymous with world-class workmanship and an enviable end product are reflected in the museum by “De Eendracht”, a real diamond cutter’s workshop. This workshop is one of the most important items in the museum’s collection and part of our industrial archaeological heritage. On weekdays,

the present diamond worker talks about cleaving, cutting and polishing and interactive visual display units demonstrate the latest techniques: scanning diamonds, determining by means of the computer how to polish the diamond to produce the best shape, etc. Besides the diamond story, the visitor is drawn to the treasure chambers spread over three floors where he can find the museum’s unique collection of diamond creations: historic diamond jewels and contemporary diamond jewellery as well as exhibition space! For more than four centuries the diamond has been the jewel par excellence. From the 17th century onwards it was the jewel worn by kings, queens, and the aristocracy and well-off ladies and gentlemen during nightly activities, balls, operas and theatre performances. Until today film stars, sports heroes, exclusive fashion models on the catwalk and pop artists flaunt exclusive but above all eye-catching diamond jewels. Therefore, the evolution of the diamond (as a) jewel is a fascinating story, which is highlighted in the Provincial Diamond Museum in Antwerp. The museum’s jewellery acquisition strategy is based on building up an historic collection of diamond jewels from the 16th century until present times, selected because of their beauty and their art-historical importance. These jewels are not only to be admired for their charisma, they also give evidence of historic bonds between nations and cultures, discoveries of new countries and continents, the influence of religion and royal courts, the historic evolutions and changing traditions and the technological developments in the diamond jeweller’s and silversmith’s craft. Although there are many museums exposing jewels, the Antwerp Diamond Museum is unique in its approach to the historic and contemporary jewel, because it specialises in turning diamonds into diamond jewel designs. An excellent example illustrating the display of unique diamond jewel designs is the result of the biennial HRD Jewellery Award Competition, an organisation by the museum’s partner Diamond High Council www.hrd.be)/ Antwerp World Diamond Centre www.awdc.be). This biennial exhibition is the outcome of an international competition and has been expanded since 2003 to include young as well as experienced jewellery designers. It is widely considered to be the most important competition worldwide for contemporary diamond jewellery. Traditionally the HRD / AWDC offers the winning jewel to the Diamond Museum for inclusion in its collection, thus ensuring that the best creations remain in Antwerp. In 2012, the Antwerp Diamond Museum is celebrating its 40th anniversary (since 1972) as well as 10 years of accommodation at the Queen Astrid Square. These anniversary highlights give rise to an appropriate tribute to ’t Steentje’. The first step is a diamond

Napoleontische parure, bruikleen Kerkfabriek Bazel

testimony, the Wins Family Legacy, five generations of mostly Antwerp diamond business activity, illustrating the city’s inextricable link between, on one hand, the mainly political and economical history of the Antwerp diamond sector and, on the other hand, its social and cultural context.

Diamantmuseum Provincie Antwerpen Koningin Astridplein 19-23 2018 Antwerpen Tel: 32 (0)3 202 48 90 Fax: 32 (0)3 202 48 98 E-mail: info@diamant.provant.be www.diamantmuseum.be

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Diamonds

MeeVIDA Joaillerie, the New International Diamond Jewellery Brand Name

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Trilogy Sortilège set (earrings, pendant and ring)

Sold in high-end jewellery shops across Europe and the U.S.A.

The name MeeVIDA, which phonetically means “my life” in Spanish, represents a diamond’s “eternal essence”, says Piyush Gandhi, CEO of Dianish NV the subsidiary of Navin Gems. “MeeVIDA Joaillerie’s diamond jewellery is designed to accompany its wearer throughout her life.” This idea of enduring for eternity is reflected in the quality of MeeVIDA Joaillerie’s creations. “Dianish NV puts the emphasis as much on the quality of its polished diamonds as in the creation and finishing of its jewellery,” says Piyush Gandhi. One of only 72 Diamond Trading Company SightholderTM worldwide, Navin Gems has been involved in diamond trading for three generations and supplies its largely European customer-base of retailers and smaller jewellers from its headquarters in Bombay, India. Precise finishing, excellent quality as well as the innovative design concept of “timeless avant-garde” allowed Dianish Jewels to rapidly establish its name in prestigious jewellery circles. In 2005 and 2006, the collections did particularly well at Baselworld, the leading annual trade show for the watch and jewellery industry held in Basel, Switzerland. Industry experts then prompted the company to redefine the brand’s strategy in terms of product development, distribution and communication.

The result, MeeVIDA Joaillerie, captures the passion and the essence of eternity of high quality diamond jewellery. MeeVIDA Joaillerie’s creations are designed and styled in Paris by top French jewellery designers and then meticulously produced in India using the latest precision technology and hand-craftsmanship. From Antwerp they are exported to luxury jewellery boutiques worldwide. With prices ranging from €500 upwards, the main markets today are France, the UK, Italy, the Benelux countries and Turkey. Collections MeeVIDA Joaillerie’s latest collections include Amandine, designed by French designer Antonio Gomez, Galaxy, Sortilège, Daisy, Devotion, Empreinte, Mosaique, The Limited Editions of Meevida and Meevida Engagement. Here the designers have modernised MeeVIDA Joaillerie’s classic collection of engagement rings, wedding rings, earrings and pendants in line with the design concept of “timeless avant-garde”. The 2008

Brand store As a result of the overwhelming success of the brand, MeeVIDA Joaillerie opened its first brand store in Budapest, Hungary in December 2006. The launch of MeeVIDA Joaillerie’s Budapest store brought together more than 300 Hungarian VIPs including Miss Hungary 2006, Szabo Kitti, and the famous Hungarian singer Adrienn Zsedenyi, who is the face of MeeVIDA Joaillerie in Hungary. MeeVIDA Joaillerie has a similar brand store in India and the company has plans to open stores in Antwerp, Prague and Warsaw. A significant aspect of the MeeVIDA Joaillerie

The big micro pave heart is from the Galaxy collection, the double row ring in yellow gold is from the new Mosaique collection, on top of it the ring with the micropave ball is from the Galaxy collection and the double hearts is from the Devotion collection.

brand is its link with beauty. MeeVIDA Joaillerie is proud to be associated with beauty pageants such as Miss Belgian Beauty and Miss Benelux and these pageants have been an important and eye-catching way of marketing the brand. As Marilyn Monroe famously said, “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend”. Admiring the glittering diamond jewellery that accentuates the beauty of Miss Belgium 2008 Nele Somers for example, it is easy to see why women have chosen diamonds as a celebration of their glamour and as a form of self-expression throughout the ages. Looking to the future, MeeVIDA Joaillerie’s goal is to be recognised as one of the leading Belgian and European jewellery brand. Combining a wealth of expertise in professional production with a sophisticated marketing approach, which includes providing retailers with complete packages of branded accessories as well as marketing support, MeeVIDA Joaillerie is perfectly positioned to build its brand locally and internationally.

Large Heart necklace from “The Limitied Editions of Meevida”

collection of engagement and wedding rings, which still make up the core of MeeVIDA Joaillerie’s worldwide sales, draws inspiration from the world of love poetry and combines classical elegance with creative innovation. The Galaxy collection, which uses micropave diamonds set with the aid of a microscope, provides an incredibly luxurious, smooth texture which glitters with a wealth of eye-catching tiny diamonds as the smooth lines of the jewellery designs are accentuated. Returning to the eternal theme of love, the Devotion collection comprises heartshaped jewellery and includes some striking pieces, notably the chain of hearts. MeeVIDA Joaillerie’s Limited Editions collection consists of unique jewellery masterpieces. All of the jewellery pieces in the collections are made from 18 carat white or yellow gold set with brilliant cut diamonds. In accordance with the Kimberley Process, all diamonds are certified as being from legitimate sources in no way connected to the funding of conflicts.

Hoveniersstraat 30 Room 625, Box 179 2018 Antwerpen Tel: + (32) 3 226 41 11 Fax: + (32) 3 226 38 54 Email: info@meevida.com www.meevida.com

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Diamonds

The Nordic Fire Diamond Pure beauty – every scintillating Nordic Fire diamond is a small part of the prestigious Nordic Fire brand, recognized and sold around the world

Discerning buyers understand the value of a reputable brand. A brand can speak volumes, guaranteeing quality, craftsmanship, style and professionalism. So it works for jewelry, and so it works for diamonds. When considering a diamond, ask yourself: where does the stone come from? How was the stone selected? Where and by whom was it cut? How do I know the stone is what it is claimed to be? Is it really unique? Enter Nordic Fire… From rough stone… A Nordic Fire diamond begins its journey deep inside the Diavik mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories. The Diavik mine is known for the impeccable quality of its large, colourless stones. The mark of quality begins right at the source, and so it continues. Thus, the mine is operated by the Rio Tinto Diamond Company, one of the world’s most well-regarded

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diamond mining companies. And importantly, as a Canadian mine, it is in an issue-free zone. …to selection and polishing… For over 500 years, Antwerp has been the centre of the world’s diamond trade and this is the next step in a Nordic Fire diamond’s journey. Rough stones are sent direct to Crisdiam, one of Antwerp’s most reputable diamond companies. This Antwerp diamond company has a proud diamond tradition, with a reputation for knowledge, passion and integrity. Founded in 1970, with the original families still at the helm today, this company can trace its polishing activities in Antwerp back to 1898. Here in Antwerp, the Nordic Fire diamond is selected and subsequently cut and polished by Crisdiam’s master craftsmen. In an age where much of the diamond craft has become semi-industrialised in Asia, the

Nordic Fire stone is handled by only the very best professionals in Antwerp. These expert craftsmen continue a centuries-old tradition, working painstakingly to reveal the true beauty of the stone. …to the half Maple leaf: the mark of quality The finishing touch for any Nordic Fire diamond is to laser-inscribe a half Maple leaf and individual identification number on its girdle. Invisible to the naked eye, this identification number means you can verify its authenticity as a genuine Nordic Fire diamond. For example, you can enter this number into the Nordic Fire website to verify it is a genuine Nordic Fire diamond and access other information about it. Also, every diamond is dual certified: first by our own rigorous quality appraisal and then independently by the Geomological Institute of America.

This is the Nordic Fire diamond. From when the rough stone is plucked from the earth until Nordic Fire’s half Maple leaf is inscribed on a polished gem, the Nordic Fire diamond only ever know the highest standards of diamond excellence. It is these standards that instill pure beauty into every Nordic Fire diamond.

Crisdiam B.V.B.A. Hoveniersstraat 2 Box 240, Suite 1201 2018 Antwerp, Belgium Tel: +32 3 233 6559 E-mail: info@nordicfire.be www.nordicfire.be

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Diamonds

Pinchasi & Sons Pinchasi is a second-generation family company that has been operating in the diamond industry in Belgium for 40 years. It is one of the largest diamond cutters in the world, and one of the only ones who still has a working factory in the cosmopolitan, multicultural city of Antwerp.

The diamond cutting process is a fascinating and exacting one. Rough diamonds all have to be cut and polished before being certified by a recognised laboratory. The certification process includes the assessment of the four famous Câ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clarity, colour, cut and carat weight. The HRD, or Antwerp diamond council, is the largest diamond certification laboratory in Europe, and Pinchasi is a large client of this laboratory. Pinchasiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Belgium office

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serves as a clearing-house for all the rough diamonds that they buy and trade. The company always carries a large, centralised stock of cut, polished and certified diamonds which are immediately available in Antwerp, and can be shipped within 24 hours to any destination in the world. This swift response time is vitally important in the fast-moving diamond market. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all done with a small and flexible team of just 12 people in the Antwerp office, who deal with

sales and operations, including the sorting, preparation and certification of the stones. The company was named after its founder, Mr Pinchasi, and his two sons took over the leadership after his death. The Pinchasi sons have introduced new innovations and developments, including a massive new diamond cutting operation in India, which was opened seven years ago and is ten times as big as the Antwerp factory. The large quantities of medium sized stones

are cut and polished in India, while the bigger, more complex stones are handled in Antwerp. Since the opening of the Indian factory, turnover has doubled. Pinchasi also does business online - orders can be taken, certification can be consulted, and stones can be assessed online via their certification. The companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s market is mainly in Europe and Asia, although sales are also made in Australia and the Americas. 70% of clients are jewellery manufacturers, and the others are wholesalers. The company has enjoyed a 30year relationship with many of its customers. Quality is the benchmark when dealing with a high value commodity like diamonds. Diamond cutting is a specialised profession that requires years of experience, and mistakes simply cannot be made. If quality is not upheld in all processes, then a poor cut can ruin a promising stone, or certification can become difficult to obtain. At Pinchasi, standards are adhered to rigidly, both in Antwerp and in the operation in India. The companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s service excellence also gives it a valuable edge in the industry. Finally, maximum efficiency is the key to Pinchasiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success, giving it a 2-3% price differential in this fiercely competitive market. It is surprising that, in an industry where valuable stones worth millions of dollars are traded every day, most business is done on a simple handshake, without any contracts or insurance. For this reason, trust is key, and only companies who nurture relationships with their clients and operate

with the highest standards of integrity, quality, service, advice and deal making, will survive. Pinchasi is an outstanding example of such a company. Although the salespeople do regular business with their long-established clientele, they will usually meet them only once a year, either in Antwerp or at the trade fair which takes place annually in Basel, Switzerland - the largest expo in the world for the diamond and jewellery industry. Pinchasi believes that Antwerp will remain the diamond centre of the world, despite competition from low-cost operations in other countries. Antwerp is a city well adapted to the multicultural world of diamond dealing where many different nationalities rub shoulders with each other. The diamond area is centralised and accessible, and security is excellent. Most significantly, Antwerp has a history of diamond cutting and dealing that stretches back hundreds of years. When all is said and done, diamonds are a people business, and this diamond culture cannot be easily replicated elsewhere.

Schupstraat 1/7 2018 Antwerpen Belgium Tel: +32 3 231 21 47 Fax: +32 3 232 63 97 E-mail: Info@pinchasi.com www.pinchasidiamonds.com

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Diamonds

L&A Jewellery Dazzles the World Creating the intricate and striking designs which make up the L&A collections requires a blend of superior technology and delicate handiwork.

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When the twins Louis and August (L&A) Van Camp founded their internationally renowned jewellery business L&A Jewellers in Antwerp’s diamond district in 1967, they set a standard for dazzling, innovative and premium quality jewellery which has endured for more than 40 years. L&A Jewellers, the last remaining familyrun jewellery business in Antwerp that still does all stages of the production process in-house, has a well-deserved reputation for striking luxury jewellery. The Van Camp family has a lasting passion for jewellery design manufacture. And the business continues to be run by the founders’ eleven children. Myriam Van Camp is L&A’s general manager while her sister Hilde is the company’s chief designer. L&A’s position within the heart of Antwerp’s diamond district, the centre of the global diamond industry, provides the means and the daily inspiration for their successful business. Antwerp’s diamond district is home to almost 400 jewellery workshops, boasts 12,000 expert diamond cutters and

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polishers and that accounts for over 50% of the world diamond trade. It is here that jewellery retailers come to source their diamonds. In such a highly competitive environment, jewellery firms continually challenge each other to remain at the cutting edge of the latest and most effective design and manufacturing technology. The latest jewellery design software with 3-D modelling enables L&A’s designers to create intricate and complex pieces with astonishing accuracy and in a remarkably short space of time. In the current collections, Scented Garden and The Full Circle, the work is extremely fine and complex, necessitating state-of-the-art machine-work combined with personal craftsmanship. While the emphasis is on the production of the latest collections, L&A’s designers are able to create one-off pieces at individual request. Customers are encouraged to provide their own sketches or pictures which Hilde and her design team can then translate into inspirational designs. L&A’s latest collections are particularly striking. The Scented Garden, a range of exquisite flower designs, takes its inspiration from the extraordinary and delicate beauty of the floral kingdom while The Full Circle consists of a series of strikingly original and attractive circular designs. All designs are made with 18 carat gold or 95% platinum, which provides a luxurious, high-quality product. Myriam Van Camp says that they would rather use more gold than credited in order to ensure a premium product. The company’s commitment to superior quality has resulted in international recognition and accolades. L&A is the only Belgian Made jewellery company to have a regular stand at the most prestigious professional diamond fair on the global calendar, the Basel World

Fair in Switzerland. They are also one of only a handful of jewellery design companies that have a Swiss carat certification stamp of approval upfront, a certification required for jewellery exports to Switzerland. L&A designed one of the Queen of Morocco’s jewel necklaces for the royal wedding in 2002. Another honour was being selected in 1986 for the design and manufacture of the music industry’s prestigious “Diamond Award,” this was the first time in history that something of value was given using real diamonds. Diamonds are forever, as the saying goes. Elegant, regal and yet humble, these symbols of beauty, purity and strength are timeless, produced in the earth’s core billions of years ago and prized for their almost magical qualities. As timeless as diamonds are, the designs that accentuate their beauty are more influenced by the ebbs and flows of the world fashion scene. Thus while L&A’s core product has traditionally been the diamond engagement ring, the Van Camps are keen to further enhance their brand by collaborating with international design collections and showcasing their products to discerning jewellery customers worldwide. L&A already has a strong international presence, exporting 50% of their creations around the world, particularly to luxury jewellery stores in the United Kingdom and Ireland. In order to further enhance this reputation and to remain constantly innovative, the Van Camps are looking to take advantage of exciting international design trends. The time is right to showcase the best of Belgian jewellery to the world and to attract more publicity in the upper end of the international jewellery market. Rijfstraat 10 2018 Antwerp Tel: +32 (0)3 233 95 52 Fax: +32 (0)3 226 16 38 www.l-a.be

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Diamonds

Verbruggen Diamonds & Pearls Since 1792, the Verbruggen family has been based in Antwerp, Belgium. They are respected wholesalers and retailers of diamonds, who have since added a second area of expertise to their specialist operation - pearls.

Diamonds and pearls. Two of the most beautiful, sought-after and mysterious substances known to mankind, they are both produced by forces of nature, but in vastly different ways. Diamonds have survived an incredible journey to become the glittering stones we recognise today, a journey that started millions of years ago, deep within the earth, when carbonbearing materials were subjected to immense pressure and high temperature. These forces formed their transparent, crystalline structure which is renowned for its extreme hardness - a diamond is the hardest natural material known to mankind. Cutting and polishing these stones are a fine art that requires high levels of skill. Today, 70% of diamonds around the world come from Antwerp. In a city with a long and noble tradition as the diamond centre of the world, Verbruggen is one of the longest-standing businesses. The family has gained an impressive reputation among their customers and their peers, building and nurturing relationships that in many cases have lasted for decades. In the 1960s, Verbruggen added a second area of expertise to its business pearls. This has proved to be so successful that, today, the company is known as

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;the pearls dealerâ&#x20AC;? - an accolade which, in diamond-focused Antwerp, is rare. A pearl is a miracle of nature. Natural pearls are formed when a piece of grit or other irritating object gets inside the shell of a pearl oyster. The oyster deals with this irritation by surrounding the object with layers of beautiful, iridescent nacre. Natural pearls are exceedingly rare, and in order to obtain them, pearl divers must gather and open many hundreds of oysters in the hope of finding just one. Cultured pearls are made on pearl farms, with the help of human intervention. A small bead, usually made from a mussel shell, is placed inside the oyster during a delicate operation. The oyster is then returned to the water for six months or more, where it coats this nucleus with shimmering nacreous layers. The value of the resulting pearl is determined by a combination of its lustre, colour, size, flawlessness and symmetry. Generally, the larger the pearl, the more valuable it is, and pearls that are large and perfectly round are rare and highly valued. Colour also plays an important part. White and black are the most popular colours for pearls, but they can have a variety of shades, from pink to blue, from champagne to purple. Matching pearls according to their colour and shape is an

intricate art, and it can take years to source the pearls for a perfectly matched necklace. Verbruggen imports pearls directly from their source in countries like Australia, Tahiti, China and Japan. The Verbruggen family design their own jewellery creations, and manufacture almost all of these themselves in their Antwerp workshop. While the collections are classics in their own right, they are inspired by modern jewellery trends. New creations are constantly being produced, on average 50 to 100 pieces a week. Some of these are crafted for retailers, who enjoy longstanding relationships with Verbruggen and return time and time again for the exceptional value, quality and first class service that this company is famous for. Verbruggen also sells directly to consumer clients, and produces pieces for its own collections.

VERBRUGGEN Parels & Juwelen Vestingstraat 49 2018 Antwerpen, Belgium Tel: 32 (0)3 231 21 29 Fax: 32 (0)3 231 14 51 E-mail: verbruggen-parels@telenet.be www.parelsverbruggen.com

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Diamonds

Les Bijoux de Marie-France Wear jewellery with elegance

“I love mixing different materials” says Marie-France. Marie-France has been working in the family jewellery business for the past 20 years, contributing with her very personal touch in updating, transforming and innovating the jewellery line. In 2002, she decided to create her own line: “Marie-France’s jewellery”. The artist transforms gold into pieces of jewellery that a lady can wear during the day with her casual clothes or at night with an evening dress. She offers every woman a pleasure to wear whenever and wherever she wants. The true love of precious materials The workshop is hidden in an old house

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in the centre of Brussels. Here, talented craftsmen shine the precious metal, again and again, and shape it under the direction of the designer Marie-France. Marie-France’s collection of jewellery offers the woman of today full elegance and originality. Gold is worked to become as soft as silk, pearls of all colours wind around the body with elegance, and the result is a modern but not too eccentric design. The design is not only a piece of accessory but a part of the woman’s look. Marie-France’s collection Only 18 carats gold is used and is polished, beaten, shaped, heated to create different colours and unusual aspects. The colour of gold becomes yellow, pink, pearly or

grey. The collection includes earrings, bracelets, rings and pendants. The pendants are hanging from leather chains that give them a modern and contemporary look with lighter effect, therefore easier to wear. This new collection is booming with its beauty and femininity. “Les Ecailles”, “Les Constellations”, “Les Torsadés”, “Les Caviars”

wants more than just a set of precious jewels and therefore makes her creations truly unique. Marie-France takes part in many artistic activities but her concerns are not only to introduce her creations. She also has humanitarian goals, such as the ULB exhibition gathering several artists for the ASBL of JeanClaude Heuson and for the Institut Bordet’s Breast Cancer Research Department.

A real success Marie-France’s collection was presented during the “Journées d’ Elégance et Prestige” and at several exhibitions in Brussels, New York, London, Milan, Madrid and Paris and received a real success. In addition to her infallible made-to-measure technique, Marie-France knows that a woman

Les Bijoux de Marie-France 63 Rue de Houblon 1000 Bruxelles – Belgium Tel: +32 (0)2/511 32 98 Email: lesbijouxdemariefrance@skynet.be www.lesbijouxdemariefrance.com

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