DE VACACIÓNS por Bélxica

Galicia confidencial inicia un novo apartado de verán. Gracias a colaboración de xornalistas amigos membros do FEJS (Forum for Europeam Journalism Student) informaremos sobre as ofertas turísticas de determinados países europeos. Nesta primeira entrega, Bert Hertogs presentanos Bélxica e as súas principais cidades.

Por Galicia Confidencial | Galicia | 18/08/2005

"No, Belgium is not in Brussels, it is the other way round, Brussels is in Belgium", Belgians sometimes have to tell people when travelling abroad. A capital that is also the capital of Europe naturally finds itself in the spotlight. As a small country in the heart of Europe, Belgium is widely known and loved. Is it due to the Belgian "frites", our fine chocolate, the enormous choice of quality beers, the whole gastronomic experience? Is it because of the Belgian fashion designers, tennis stars, our national musical treasure Toots, the artists, architectures or monks and nuns or other famous sons and daughters who have held the Belgian tricolour high all over the world? Or is it our seaside towns, the Ardennes, the beautifully conserved Mediaeval cities with their excellent museums, or the living traditions that have won over the hearts of so many tourists?

Who can tell? There are so many appealing reasons to love Belgium. Often people abroad dont even know that something is Belgian. We seem to be too modest. Is that wrong? Modesty is an attractive Belgian characteristic, just like hospitality, sociability and productivity. We are also champions when it comes to finding solutions and reaching compromises. That is necessary in a federal country with complex structures and two so very different groups of the population as the Germanic people in the north in Flanders, the Flemish and those of a Latin culture in Wallonia in the south of the country, the Walloons. And in the centre of the country, there is a mishmash of north and south with a touch of cultural influences from virtually all European countries and the more remote parts of the world, in Brussels. Where did you say Brussels was again?

THINGS TO SEE IN BRUSSELS:

Manneken Pis

Made in the early 17th century by Jérôme Duquesnoy, Manneken Pis holds court a few hundred metres from the Grand Place in Brussels. This bronze urinating statuettes origins remain relatively obscure, and there are many legends about his history. The best-known relates that a rich burgher had lost his only son. After five days looking for him, the father found him urinating on the corner of the rue de lEtuve. This happy discovery led him to finance the building of this fountain which is original, to say the least. Another legend tells that Manneken Pis saved the city from a fire by urinating on the flames.

A document dating from the 14th century already mentioned a stone statuette called "Juliaenekensborre" of the fountain of "Little Julien". It supplied drinking water to local people. But the ravages of time encouraged the Brussels authorities to commission a bronze statue from Jérôme Duquesnoy in 1619.

In three centuries of existence, the young man has had several mishaps. In 1695, he was hidden by the people of Brussels as the French bombarded Brussels. He survived unscathed. In the mid-18th century, English solders then French troops took it away, without any damage. His removal by Frenchman Antoon Lycas had a tragic epilogue, because the statuette was found broken.

So it is a copy of the original, which is still on display in the Municipal Museum, who holds court in rue de lEtuve. Another original feature of this fountain: its costumes. In total, the wardrobe of the "ketje de Bruxelles" has over six hundred outfits donated or designed by Jacques Stroobants, the official dresser of Manneken Pis. There is also a statuette of a girl urinating in the neighbourhood of Butchers street.

Saint Michael

Perched 96 metres from the ground, Saint Michael (or Saint-Michel, of course) watches over the Belgian capital. From the top of Brussels Town Hall roof, the archangel Saint Michael has presided over the destiny of the people of Brussels for over five centuries.

Brussels Town Hall, located on the Grand Place, is an architectural wonder in the Gothic style. Its tower, built in the mid-fifteenth century by Jean Van Ruysbroeck replaced the former belfry. Topped by an octagonal lantern and a slender pyramidal arrow, it is surmounted by a statue of the archangel Saint Michael smiting the Devil, a work by Martin van Rode. His five-metre height and the fact that it is made of gilded copper give it its splendour, and impart an unusual aspect to the statue.

Installed in 1454 by the corporation of smelters, the statue of Saint Michael is a weathervane. Only the tower, its statue and the walls of the Town Hall totally resisted the bombardments of the Grand Place by French troops in 1695. Very symbolic. Saint Michael is known in the Judeo-Christian traditions as being the official representative of God, charged with applying his instructions in the human world. He is considered as the head of the celestial army, and the prince of heaven. Carrying a set of scales, he is running through a dragon or a devil with his lance.

The protector of Brussels has not resisted the ravages of time. In 1994, he was removed from his perch for the seventh time in more than half a millennium. The iron knight was in a pitiful condition, his paint was flaking off, his head was detached from his body. To enable him to cope with the bad weather and return to the tower of the town hall, the archangel had to be completed re-made. A double of Saint-Michel was made, and the perfect replica of the weathervane was put back on his perch.

The Grand Place in Brussels

Located in the heart of the old town, the Grand Place of Brussels is one of the architectural jewels of Belgium. A mixture of Italian baroque and Flemish decor give it its magic and its unique character.

According to Victor Hugo, the Grand Place of Brussels is the most beautiful square in the world, and has an unusual architectural style. Nestling in the heart of the historic centre of Brussels, this tourist attraction par excellence lures several thousand visitors each year. The mixture of styles reflects the history of the city and its evolution over centuries.

The birth of the Grand Place dates back to the 12th century. It was then, on this drained marsh, that the first market and trading centre of the city was established. Since then, it has remained one of the major business and political centres of Brussels. Over the years, the guilds and corporations built many houses here: "la Halle aux Pains" (Bakers Hall), "la Halle aux Draps" (the Clothmakers Hall) and "la Halle aux Viandes" (the Butchers Hall) appeared in the 13th century.

The Grand Place underwent its most important alterations in the 15th century, at the time when the Town Hall was built. In 1695, it was almost entirely destroyed during the bombardment of Brussels ordered by the King of France, Louis XIV. Only the walls of the Town Hall and the structure of the Maison du Roi were still standing. Enormous resources were devoted to its reconstruction and in less than four years, the Grand Place was restored to its original appearance. The relative harmony of the mansions is explained by the concern on the part of the municipal authorities to impart a uniformity of style to the square.

During the 19th century, the restoration of several buildings was undertaken using the plans by architect De Bruyn, who had carried out the reconstruction in 1695 and whose original drawings had been conserved.

From destruction to reconstruction and restoration, the Grand Place has suffered many mishaps. Purists may complain, but what remains is testimony to ten centuries of history, that of the city and its people. Since 1998, the 148 buildings situated in the site of the Grand Place and in the immediate environs have been protected by UNESCO.

Art nouveau

A movement rejecting the prevailing conformism of the end of the 19th century, Art nouveau was a great success in Belgium, at least until the outbreak of World War I. Architect Victor Horta personified this trend in Brussels.

Art nouveau emerged at the end of the 19th century. Certain artists wanted to break with historicism and academicism. Their objective was to create works which improved the surroundings of Man. This was Art Utile, Art Total. It drew its inspiration from the shapes present in nature: flowing lines, curves, undulations and arabesques.

Art nouveau was clearly distinct from the neo-classical style. In Belgium, it was mostly embodied in architecture, thanks to two very talented artists: Paul Hankar (1859-1901) and especially Victor Horta (1861-1947), the real originator of Art nouveau architecture in Brussels. Horta combined the use of glass and metal in his buildings with consummate skill, and created a new concept of space.

Victor Horta designed several mansions in Brussels like the Hôtel Tassel (1893), Hôtel Solvay (1895), the Maison du Peuple (1896-1899), the department store "A lInnovation" (1901). Several of his buildings (including the Maison du Peuple) were destroyed during the 20th century. Recognition of his art, after his death, would come in 1969, when the "Musée Horta" was set up in his house in Brussels. Like Victor Horta, artists involved in modern art designed not only buildings but also the entire interior decoration.

Art nouveau reached its apotheosis at the beginning of the 20th century, but the exorbitant cost of the buildings soon diminished its success, from the start of World War I onward.

The Atomium

Monument in an open setting at Heizel, representing a magnified iron molecule.

A tourist arriving in Belgium for the first time may catch a glimpse of the Atomium as the aircraft is landing. This huge monument is ten minutes' drive from Brussels National Airport.

The Atomium was specially designed for the World Exhibition in 1958. It was the first universal "Expo" after the Second World War, and the whole event was imbued with an atmosphere of post-war optimism, belief in the reconstruction and boundless confidence in science as the bringer of a peaceful world. Belgian engineer André Waterkeyn wanted to present the atom, as a miniscule component of matter, to the general public in an easily understandable way. He therefore designed the Atomium to represent a molecule of crystalline metal - enlarged 165 billion times! To represent the nine atoms of the iron molecule he used nine steel balls 18 metres in diameter. Forces between the nine atoms determine the chemical characteristics of the material. Waterkeyn represented those forces by means of long tubes, in which he installed escalators and super-fast lifts. The whole structure forms a vast open cube, standing on one corner and supported by three two-legged supporting poles.

The structure is 120 metres high. The topmost ball contains a restaurant and a viewing hall. Visitors have a panoramic view over Brussels and over the open spaces of Heizel with its planetarium, exhibition palaces and King Baudouin stadium. The other balls are also worth a visit. They contain exhibitions on Expo '58, the building of the Atomium, the history of medicine, the development of microscopic research, genetic engineering etc.

Originally it was intended that the Atomium would be demolished after the World Exhibition. The monument became so popular, however, that it was allowed to remain. Renovation work began in 2003.

If you would like to visit the Atomium or read more about this remarkable structure, visit www.atomium.be

Take metro 1A direction Heysel

MADE IN BELGIUM:

Beer

In Belgium, more than 450 different beers are brewed: light, brown, pale, red, amber, spontaneous fermentation, trappist or monastery, alcohol-free, etc.. The kingdom has around 115 breweries. Small-scale or industrial, Belgian beer is exported throughout the world.

In spite of their number, we can attempt to classify the range of Belgian beers as follows:

- Low fermentation beers

These beers are also called "pils". Their alcohol content is around 5% and they are drunk chilled. This type of beer is very popular: it represents almost 70% of the total consumption of beer in Belgium.

- The Lights

In addition to the four main ingredients (water, malt, hops and yeast) brewers of light beer use wheat, which is grown in the region of Hoegaarden, in Brabant.

- The Trappists and the monastery beers

Although these divine beverages are generally classified in the same category, they should not be confused: the trappists must actually be brewed in a monastery by brewing monks, while the monastery beers generally only keep the recipe and name of a monastery.

There are only seven true trappist beers in the world, six of them in Belgium: Orval, Rochefort, Chimay, Westmalle, Westvleteren and Achel. The trappist appellation is strictly controlled.

- The Lambics, Gueuze and Kriek

Gueuze-lambic is a typically Brussels beer. These are spontaneous fermentation beers, without the addition of yeast. We also find Gueuzes in which fruits such as cherries (Kriek), raspberries, peaches or blackcurrants have been macerated.

- Amber beers or "ales"

These beers are so called on account of their colour. They are lightly hopped with mild aromatic hops.

- Unclassifiables

The unclassifiables are the offspring of the passion of certain enthusiasts of these sparkling beverages with seductive heads. In this category, we can mention the seasonal beers, the red or brown beers (made with reddish barley malts) and a multitude of regional beers which are the pride of their regions or towns of origin.

Finally, although the Belgians are generally seen as people of moderation, they are so in every area except consumption of these drinks: every Belgian actually consumes more than 100 litres a year !

Frites

"Une frite mayonnaise!" There can be few Belgians who have never said this phrase. Because "frites" or French fries occupy a special place in the culinary culture of the country.

If there is such a thing as a symbol of Belgium, then it is the "frite". Its origins are, however, relatively obscure. The term "French fries" seems to attribute this culinary invention to our French neighbours. "Wrong!" reply the purists, "frites" were invented in Belgium. According to popular belief, this recipe was first used in the Meuse valley, between Dinant and Liège. The poor inhabitants of this region had the custom of accompanying their meals with small fried fish, but when the river was frozen and they were unable to fish, they cut potatoes lengthwise and fried them in oil to accompany their meals.

There is just as much uncertainty about the invention of "frites" as about the date when they began to be sold commercially. In 1861, a Belgian entrepreneur called Frits is said to have opened a stand selling this product. He is also said to have given it its own name. So why do our English-speaking friends call them French fries? The justification given most often dates from World War I. The American and English Allied troops tasted this dish when they met up with Belgian soldiers whose working language was French, which led to the confusion. Thus they returned with the recipe for French fries. In Belgium "frites" are eaten accompanied by all sorts of sauces at "frite" stands or "frit kots". And to obtain crispy "frites", the Belgians have a secret: cooking the "frites" not once, but twice in oil.

This Belgian speciality has exported itself extremely well. The French adore eating "steak frites salade". The Americans recently discovered genuine Belgian "frites" with the opening in New York of several "friteries" based on the Belgian model and run by Belgians.

Belgian chocolates

Whether it comes as bars and in various shapes, powder or topping, Belgian chocolate has something for every taste. Its most sophisticated recipe is undoubtedly the "praline", invented in Belgium in 1912. For Belgians, pralines are a chocolate novelty or a mouthful of filled chocolate that comes in many flavours.

The French and Belgians do not have the same definition of the word "praline". In France, it is a roasted almond or hazelnut wrapped in drop and icing sugar. This recipe was invented by the cook of Maréchal du Plessis-Praslin, ambassador of Louis XIII. At the time if was referred to as a "pralisne".

In Belgium, the definition of the "praline" describes a chocolate sweet, generally filled. Jean Neuhaus invented it. The house of Neuhaus was founded in 1857, and originally made pharmaceutical sweets, but evolved over the years into a pastry shop famous throughout the city.

In 1912, Jean Neuhaus Jr. invented the first cold-filled chocolate sweet, which he named a "praline". Three years later, he invented a new type of cardboard package, the familiar tuck-in end chocolate box. The company constantly developed new recipes for its pralines.

The appeal of these sweets lies in the mixture between the filled chocolate and the chocolate coating. Chocolate makers take the utmost care in choosing the finest cocoa and the most refined ingredients to make the filling of the pralines. The quality of the chocolate is determined by the choice of cocoa beans and the quantity of the ingredients which give it all its characteristics (its smell, touch, colour, etc.).

Traditional chocolate makers produce and decorate their pralines largely by hand. Each of these creations receives a personal touch, the signature of a unique product, the praline. Today, Belgium has several dozens of chocolate and praline makers. Many of these chocolate and confectionary makers have been able to sell in export markets, by emphasizing the specific features of Belgian chocolates.

One of the main events this year is the exhibition: "Made in Belgium"

www.expo-madeinbelgium.be

Belgium celebrates its 175th anniversary!

check out: www.175-25.be for more information about the program

Anyone who wants to know more about Belgium, about any facet of the country, from the state reforms to culture, from education to history, can definitely find plenty of information on the Internet. Start by looking at the government sites, perhaps on the federal government portal http://www.belgium.be which gives a lot of information in 4 languages. Or the websites of the communities and regions. For the Flemish community, that is http://www.vlaanderen.be (Dutch and English). For Wallonia, you have the choice between the French community (Brussels and Wallonia) http://www.cfwb.be (French, German, Dutch, English) and the Walloon region (Wallonia) http://www.wallonie.be (French, German, English, Dutch, Italian, Spanish).

You can find out more about the Brussels Capital Region on:

http://www.bruxelles.irisnet.be (French, German, English, Dutch, Spanish). And finally, you will find information about the German-speaking community on the website http://www.dglive.be (Germany). Did we say something about complex structures? Dont worry, you dont need to get confused to enjoy Belgium.

More info on Belgium:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgium

More info about tourism in Belgium: If you visit Belgium, please do not only visit Brussels, we have much more to offer!

Antwerp

According to folklore, the city got its name from a legend involving a giant called Antigoon that lived near the river Scheldt. This giant exacted a toll from passers-by who wished to navigate the river. On refusal, the giant often severed one of their hands. Eventually, the giant was slain by a young hero named Brabo, who cut off the giant's hand and threw it into the river. Hence the name Antwerpen (in Dutch: hand werpen means hand throw). There's a statue of Brabo and the slain Antigoon on the Grote Markt in front of the town hall as can be seen on the picture of the Antwerp Stadhuis above. In addition you're apt to come across sculptures of hands in various sizes and forms throughout the city, and hand-shaped cookies can be bought in any chocolate shop. A more commonly accepted etymology among historians and linguists traces the name to a Dutch word "aan werpen" or "aan werven", which means docking a ship.

Antwerp also hosted the 1920 Summer Olympics.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antwerp_%28city%29

The Night of the Proms:

The Night of the Proms is one of the most visited and most attractive musical events in Europe. It is special, first and foremost because of the unique mix of famous classical music and pop evergreens with which this event shifts musical borders. Young and old uninhibitedly swing to the beat of classical melodies and thousands strike up Elgar's "Land of Hope and Glory". That is what makes the Night of the Proms so different from other concerts. The regular Night of the Proms orchestra Il Novecento and conductor Robert Groslot play music from the last three centuries in such a playful manner and with such verve, that everybody is carried away by their delightful performances.

With equal zeal, the orchestra accompanies international pop artists who enrapture the audience with their greatest hits.

Also unique is the composition of the audience. Standing in front of the stage, the young make a lot of atmosphere. Their liveliness works infectious on the seated audience, who in their turn cannot sit still. Exuberance is mixed with subdued moments, in which everybody respectfully listens to the musicians who leave the beaten tracks. In this way, the Night of the Proms evolves into an unparalleled event, night after night, year after year.

The Night of the Proms has shows in Autumn in Belgium (Antwerp), The Netherlands (Rotterdam) and Germany (several cities). In Spring, the event is staged in the French speaking part of Belgium (Charleroi), immediately followed by a tour in France (10 cities).

source: www.notp.com

More info about events in the pop concert hall in Antwerp: http://www.sportpaleis.be/?page=events

Bruges

Bruges is one of Belgium's chief tourist attractions, and was European Capital of Culture in 2002, together with Salamanca. In 1911 the Encyclopaedia Britannica observed that "its medieval appearance is better preserved, as a whole, than in the case of any other Belgian city."

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brugge

There is much more to see:

Visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Belgium