Living

Everyone’s a scientist

Public participation via the internet is shining new light on research in Flanders

Is science something nerdy and boring, only practised by specialists producing research that nobody else will ever understand? No way. These days, thanks in large part to the internet, science can be fun, like a game in which everyone can participate.

If you have five minutes spare, take a look at the Woordentest, or Words Test, a language game designed by researchers at Ghent University. The concept is simple: You’re shown word after word and asked whether it’s a real Dutch word or not. If you’re not happy with your score, just play again. There are 75,000 test words available.

Toon Lambrechts

(April 10, 2013)

In memory of 1913

Ghent’s celebration reminds Flemings of the World’s Fair that happened right before the war

One hundred years ago this month, the World’s Fair opened in Ghent. Yet most residents aren’t aware of it. That’s because nine months after it closed, a war broke out, and Ghent was occupied by the Germans for the next four years. This year, the city and its cultural centres are hosting events and activities to recognise the historical event that’s been all but wiped out of local memory.

“Every time you think about 1913, you immediately think about 1914,” says Joost Vandommele. Indeed. The start of the First World War not only wiped out the immediate memories of the events in Ghent in 1913, it wiped them out of the collective historical consciousness. “There are people in Ghent now who’ve never even heard of the World’s Fair,” says Vandommele.

Lisa Bradshaw

(April 3, 2013)

Mud, sweat and tears

The centenary Tour of Flanders will be as gruelling – and as cold – as ever

Cobbles and mud, blood and sweat, passion and pain: These ingredients have helped establish a tradition that is now 100 years old. The Ronde van Vlaanderen, or Tour of Flanders, celebrates its centenary on Easter Sunday, 31 March, and it is as gruelling as ever.

About 800,000 fans are expected to head out to cheer on the 208 starters – in 26 teams of eight – whatever the conditions. Indeed, the Ronde has always been associated with terrible weather, and the driving rain, wind and hail have been responsible for helping define the race’s identity.

Leo Cendrowicz

(March 27, 2013)

Hopping to victory

Flanders’ home brewers are honing their skills to be named Best Amateur Brewer

Up and down Flanders, groups of (mainly) men will be getting together in each other’s garden sheds and garages over the coming weeks, carefully tasting beer and making appreciative noises. Each one has the hope of becoming the best amateur brewer of the Low Countries. The winner will be announced in May, and I would be remiss in not being on hand to report to the readers of Flanders Today on the taste qualities of the winning beer.

The contest is organised by Brouwland, a company that specialises in the provision of equipment and materials for the brewing, winemaking and liqueur industries, as well as offering kits for home brewers.

“We’re going in search of the best brewer who does it as a hobby. Professional brewers are not allowed to enter,” explains Stijn Michiels, marketing manager at Brouwland. “The winning team gets 500 litres of their own beer, brewed by a professional brewery. That’s a way of saying thanks to everyone who helped them along the way with a party.”

Alan Hope

(March 20, 2013)

Out of the streets

Urban dance and music in Antwerp are being elevated to a fine art. But is street culture in a studio really the same thing?

Urban or street arts used to have a literal meaning. Graffiti, hip-hop, breakdancing, rap – arts that were created in the streets by those without access to (or interest in) theatres and culture houses. Rather late in the game, Flanders is only just starting to embrace urban culture, and Antwerp is the run-away leader, taking the arts of the street into the Flemish Opera, the Toneelhuis and the Night of the Proms. This has given many young people in the city a serious self-esteem boost, but mainstreaming a cultural phenomenon is not without its risks.

Three years ago, Sihame El Kaouakibi (pictured) resolved to take street culture off the streets. With an initial grant of €20,000 from Antwerp city council, she organised a series of dirt-cheap summer dance workshops that eventually grew into

Linda A Thompson

(March 13, 2013)

The powers that be

Flanders’ 10 most influential women on work, convictions and choices

In 1908, 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights. The following year, National Women’s Day was observed in the US, eventually spreading to the rest of the world and recognised every 8 March. As statistics on work, violence and poverty show, the struggle for equity continues. We spoke to three of Flanders’ most influential women about their jobs, their personal lives and their dedication to their convictions.

Mieke Van Hecke Director-general, Flemish Secretariat of Catholic Education (VSKO)
As director-general of the VSKO, Mieke Van Hecke is one of the most influential figures in Flemish education, with the organisation representing 64% of primary schools and 75% of secondary schools in Flanders, as well as boarding schools, centres for adult education and university colleges.

Sabine Clappaert

(March 6, 2013)

Share a cab?

Collective taxi service has become a favourite among late-night revellers in Brussels

You’re in Brussels, and you just missed the last night bus. Aside from walking six kilometres home in the freezing cold or paying a taxi €15, what are your options?

Previously, none. But now there’s Collecto, and it’s fulfilling an increasingly important role. Ever more party people and night workers are discovering the advantages of this city-run taxi service, such as fixed prices and flexibility. Last year was the second record year in a row for Collecto, with nearly 116,700 users.

Andy Furniere

(February 27, 2013)

The dangerous dialogue

Galileo’s groundbreaking book is finally translated into Dutch – and it’s a good read

There are some persistent misunderstandings about the Italian physicist Galileo Galilei and his historic “argument” with the Catholic Church. After his trial for heresy in 1633, in which he was condemned to house arrest for the rest of his life, 69-year-old Galilei is said to have uttered the famous phrase: “And yet it moves.”

Almost four centuries have passed since the trial, and the idea has become generally accepted that Galilei was a true martyr of science, prosecuted by the Inquisition and, according to many historians, even tortured. Some say that it was not only Galilei who stood trial, but science in general.

Senne Starckx

(February 20, 2013)

Healing holidays

A record number of Flemings on low incomes are enjoying a break thanks to the Holiday Participation Centre

In this last month of winter, many people are planning a getaway to reload the batteries. The Steunpunt Vakantieparticipatie, or Holiday Participation Centre, part of Tourism Flanders, negotiates discounts with local tourism enterprises to make such holidays affordable to people with low incomes. The centre recently received international awards for its unique concept.

At the programme’s annual forum last month, Flemish tourism minister Geert Bourgeois announced that 2012 had been a record year: About 105,000 people went on a trip in Flanders for one or more days thanks to the centre’s intervention. In 2001, the year it began, only 752 people benefited from the service, which was then limited to holidays provided by local social service agencies, such as summer or weekend camps.

Andy Furniere

(February 13, 2013)

Hot chocolate

It’s 100 years since Leonidas Kestekides began making chocolates in Ghent

From humble beginnings, chocolatier Leonidas has come a long way in the past century, from Greece to Brussels via New York and Ghent. One of Belgium’s best-known brands, the company has made it big keeping an eye on value.

Leonidas George Kestekides was a Greek-born chocolatier in New York in the early 20th century. As part of the Greek-American delegation to the 1910 World Fair in Brussels, Leonidas presented his range of chocolate, patisserie, ice cream and sorbets to the fair’s 13 million visitors. The bronze medal he won there marked the beginning of the world-famous brand bearing his name, known for high-quality chocolates at affordable prices.

Michelle Whittemore

(February 6, 2013)