Tuesday February 9 2010 05:59
-5°C / 0°C
“In Flanders people don’t like smart people, otherwise we wouldn’t have the politicians we’re stuck with,” he tells me. “So when you win the show, everybody really hates you and smirks in cafés that you’re not as smart as you think you are. Some people really do think that you actually believe yourself that you’re the ‘smartest person in the world’. It’s just a silly show, with probably the smartest name in the history of game shows. If it weren’t for the show, I would still be living in the south of Spain, but I would be having wine and tapas now, instead of answering your questions.”
Just the other side of the road is a series of non descript white shipping containers placed in a circle. I’m led there by world-renowned Flemish polar explorer Dixie Dansercoer, who’s chattering away eagerly about the show and how he hopes it’ll bring an important message about the fragility of our environment.
Silverstein began cooking at the age of nine, and by secondary school he was preparing dinner for his family on a nightly basis. After cycling through a series of kitchens (and other jobs) between Boston and New Jersey, he and his Flemish wife moved to Antwerp 10 years ago.
A history professor at Brussels Free University (VUB), he is a member of their Social & Cultural Food Studies programme (FOST) and is most recently the author of Food Culture in Belgium, part of American publisher Greenwood Press’ Food Culture around the World series.
“We are not resting on our laurels”, says Dirk Marteel, communications officer at Westtoer. “We have entered into a partnership with Harrods and Eurostar in an effort to promote the coast. The central theme is gastronomy, with chefs from the Flemish coast organising demonstrations of coastal products.”
You're young, and you like your universities that way, too. You've chosen well: the University of Antwerp (UA) is Flanders' youngest university. Although its roots go back to the 19th century, the university didn't really exist until a mere six years ago.
Saturday, 3 October sees two free all-night, open-air raves for the yearly Nuit Blanche, when cultural happenings claim the city until daybreak. A line up of Belgian and international DJs brought together by 54Kolaktiv will spin everything from soul and disco to dubstep, grime and house underneath the trees at Warandepark opposite the palace on Paleizenplein.
From the parking area at the Sint-Bernardusplein in Nieuwpoort-aan-Zee head inland along the well-shaded Georges Rodenbachlaan and then Floribert Gheeraertlaan. At the T-intersection, turn right and follow signs for bike path 66. More towering trees shade the way, and the only noise comes from farmers out in their fields.
Young people formed the nonprofit Leuven Draait to provide a platform for young creative talent in Flanders, with an emphasis on those from the province of Flemish Brabant, where the small university city is located. Every two years, Leuven Draait will organise a contest in five categories: music, photography, film, cartoon and word.
Flanders is filled with mediaeval buildings and huge, old estates that are hidden away from public view. But once a year, these uncovered gems are allowed to show you the glory of their refined or industrious – or unsettling – pasts. Open Monument Day – 13 September – is the Flemish solution to losing its legacy and becoming forgotten.
Every year has a theme, and this year it’s zorgmonumenten, or care monuments – buildings and sites associated with medical and social care throughout the ages in Flanders.
Flanders Today is an independent weekly newsmagazine about Flanders
