“Though Turnhout is on the outskirts of Flanders, it has one big advantage on other provincial towns,” says actor, scriptwriter, director and our local guide Stany Crets, who was born and raised in the self-proclaimed “capital of the Kempen”.

“Because we were close to the border with the Netherlands, we could get in touch with culture that didn’t seep through elsewhere,” he explains. “Basically, it got my career started. And because we were far away from the centres of Flemish culture, we could stay a bit more edgy.”

MyMachine is a project that harnesses the creativity of both primary and secondary school pupils, as well as engineering students in college. Together they develop the most fantastic devices, which actually work. The purpose is to give students in Flanders the chance to think outside the box and help them realise that seemingly impossible undertakings can in fact be completed successfully through collaboration.

rabble-rouser

David Van Reybrouck In the beginning of 2011, when Belgium was in the midst of its deepest political crisis ever, many felt a sparkle of hope in the birth of the G1000. The initiative, in which 1,000 ordinary citizens gathered to discuss the future of the country, was the idea of Flemish writer and historian David Van Reybrouck. Over the past few years, Van Reybrouck has become a well-known voice in the media as a opinion maker on topics like the gap between politics and ordinary people and the inefficiency of the democratic system.

But above all, Dansercoer (photo, left) is known for his daring undertakings on both poles, and with the Antarctic ICE expedition, he proves that his ambition is increasing with his age.

Dansercoer, 49, has just set off on an attempt to set a world record for the longest-ever polar expedition without outside support or motorised aid. He and his sidekick, student Sam Deltour, are travelling with a sled over 6,000 kilometres across Antarctica in 100 days.