Antwerp British and International Women

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What's On Now

Make a note of these activities in Belgium. They have been selected because they are suitable for English speakers or those not fluent in the local languages.

The following activities and events are not organised by ABIW. If you know about an event which may be of interest to our members, please let us know.

Check These

For a quick overview of concerts, also check out Ticket Antwerp or Net Events (Dutch or French.)

Dutch speakers can also check out the Province of Antwerp's calendar.

AMUZ - The deconsecrated church of St. Augustinus has been restored as a high-tech hall for the performance and recording of early music.

Arenberg Schouwburg - Most events here are in Dutch but there is the occasional production in English and also some music events. The web is in Dutch but if you click on the link to "Agenda and Tickets", it's pretty clear what's on.

Kinepolis Cinema Belgium - Web site of Kinepolis cinema group with link to the Metropolis in Antwerp. In English.

UGC Cinemas Belgium - Only in Dutch or French.

De Singel - varied arts.

deFilharmonie - Orchestral

Symfonie Orkest Vlaanderen - Orchestral

Vlaamse Opera - Also have lunchtime concerts.

Sterckshof Silver Museum - they have regular exhibitions.

Koningin Elisabethzaal - various events

Midday Concerts in the Kalveniershof.

Reunion

Ongoing

This exhibition "Reunion: From Quinten Metsijs to Peter Paul Rubens Masterpieces from the Royal Museum reunited in the Cathedral" has been extended until the completion of the renovation of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA).

Important renovation works are planned in the museum which will start beginning 2011 and will last two years. During the closing of the museum the works can be further exhibited in Antwerp and “in situ”, in the location they were ordered for by their buyers: guilds and crafts, city militias and brotherhoods.

When the renovation of the museum is completed these monumental, but delicate altarpieces will be set up in the rooms of the reopened museum.

The exhibition is open daily from 10 until 17 o’clock, with limitations for visit during the weekends due to religious services.

Exhibition at the Cathedral

Ongoing

As part of the Reunion exhibition above, there is an exhibition in the cathedral about how was the church was furnished and used in the 16th and 17th Centuries.

Last year Antwerp celebrated the anniversary, 450 years ago, when the church received the title 'cathedral' and became a bishopric.

The exhibition was set up to evoke that period when lots and lots of private (guild) altars stood against the columns and walls. Several altar paintings. normally in the museum of Fine Arts, have been temporarily returned to the church. They are set at the original height they were made for. So you see, finally they can be seen from the perspective they were made for! (On museum walls, the altar paintings are usually hung too low.)

Masters of Black in Fashion & Costume

25th of March till the 8th of August 2010

Momu’s newest exhibition illustrates the historic phases of the colour black, with examples from painting, historic costume and contemporary fashion. It also looks more deeply into the textures and the potentials of black in diverse materials, including fur, leather and lace. In addition, the exhibition includes masterpieces by contemporary designers who, like the city of Antwerp, have a special connection to black.

With silhouettes by Belgian designers as well as international couture houses: Ann Demeulemeester, Olivier Theyskens, Dirk Van Saene, Givenchy (Riccardo Tisci), Chanel, Gareth Pugh and more.

Venue: MoMu. Fore more information visit their website.

Closing Time

From 24 April-17 October

150 works of the contemporary Antwerp painter Jan Vanriet will be juxtaposed with works in the museum's permanent collection in the "Closing Time" exhibition.

More information here.

Angus Fairhurst Exhibition

21st May – 12th September

Angus Fairhurst (1966-2008) was one of the central figures of what became universally known as the YBA (Young British Artists), a group of artists associated with London's Goldsmiths College in the late 1980s. In contrast to the brash shock tactics of many of his contemporaries, however, he himself was an artist whose work was always a subtle combination of conceptual rigour and fine formal qualities, interrogated with an irreverent wit.

The fertile mind and anarchic spirit of Angus Fairhurst found many forms, in a body of work which defied categorisation through its sheer breadth of media and invention: painting, performance, animation, photography, video, sculpture, music, print, wallpaper, drawing, collage. Over twenty years, he re-visited and re-worked different strands of ideas, often to the extent that one set of works might appear to have little or no formal properties in common with any other. His work touches on subjects as varied as the nature of the self, desire, sex and death, the emptiness of expression, and ubiquity and power of advertising, always confronted with a particular absurdist sense of comedy.

Venue: M - Museum Leuven, L. Vanderkelenstraat 28, 3000 Leuven.

Open: Tue. till Sun. from 11h00 till 18h00 – Thu. till 22h00; closed on Mon.

Tel: 016 27 29 29 or visit the  website.

Sinksenfoor

22 May - 4th July

The annual fun fair is here again.

Venue: Vlaamse and Waalse Kaai.

New Monuments

23 May - 19 September

Take advantage of the summer weather and visit this new exhibition at the Middelheim.

The Middelheim Museum invited fourteen artists to consider the relevance of the monument in our time.

We walk past statues and other monuments every day, generally without more than a moment's consideration. They remind us of an event, honour an important person, express a feeling of shared pride. Monuments make a bid for eternity. This has been the case primarily since the 19th century. But how about in our time? Does such a ‘public monument with a message’ still have a future? Will other kinds of monuments start appearing? What could art in the public space signify? The monument is dead, long live art?

The Middelheim Museum, has invited fourteen artists to consider the relevance of the monument in our time. Three questions stand central to this exhibition of new works from the fourteen artists:

* For whom or what can an artist still create a meaningful monument in this day and age?

* As an artist, how do you relate to the patron?

* And, in our rapidly changing and complex time, is such a fixed and ‘eternal’ monument still relevant?

During the exhibition, the spotlight will also fall on the existing monuments in the centre of Antwerp.

More info from the Antwerp website.

Lambermontmartre

Last Sunday of the month, from May to September, 12:00 to 17:00.

The seventh edition of this lively and popular painters’ market on the Lambermontplaats.

Carillon Concerts

June to September

Carillon concerts at the Cathedral are held throughout the year, and from June to September you can also enjoy them on Sundays from 3 to 4pm and on Mondays from 8 to 9pm.

International Series of Organ Recitals, 20:30

Every Friday evening from 6th June to 4th July 

This year's theme is "Beyond Bach"

Venue: Antwerp Cathedral.

Tickets: €10, €8 concessions. Available at the entrance of the Cathedral, prior to each recital (doors 8 pm). Advance bookings can be made at Fnac shops and Fnac ticket offices with a supplementary booking fee of €1,25 or €1, or via central telephone number 0900 00600 (€ 0,45/min.). Bookings can also be made via the Internet, see: www.fnac.be 

Visit the Antwerp Cathedral Concerts'  web site for more information about the concerts.

Markt van Morgen

June 13 - September 12th

A fantastic monthly outdoor market, with tons of handmade clothing, jewellery, furniture and much more...

It's staged every second Sunday, from May to September in Antwerp's Kloosterstraat.

Guided Walks in the Arboretum Kalmthout

Throughout the summer there will be guided walks both during the day and evenings. These are in Dutch, but guides are usually accommodating about speaking English. For more information, visit their website.

Summer Sales 2008

1st July for the whole month

Sales in Belgium are strictly regulated by law. This year's summer sale will last until the last day of the month, as dictated by the law! On the first day the shops on the Meir will stay open until 21:00.

Summer of Antwerp

July and August

A 2-month festival of theatre, music, circus, film and many more things besides. One of the highlights again this year will be Royal de Luxe (remember the elephant and the little giantess from a few years ago?). This year, they bring a new story of the diver and the little giantess. Expect spectacle and surprises. More details from www.zva.be/en or pop into the tourist office for a full progamme. The full programme will be available in June.

Open Air Theatre

July onwards

Another summer festival of music, comedy, etc. in the Rivierenhof Park.

There are often free concerts on Friday evenings.

More information from www.openluchttheater.be. (Dutch)

Tour de France

4th July

The last time the Tour de France passed through Antwerp was in 2001.

July 4th sees the first stage between Rotterdam and Brussels and passes through the centre of Antwerp. Approaching from the north, it crosses the border at Putte-Kapellen and passes through Ekeren, Merksem, Antwerpen and Wilrijk.

In Antwerp it passes along the Bredabaan – Groenendaallaan – Ingenieur Menneslaan – IJzerlaan – Noorderbrug – Noorderplaats – Italiëlei – Ankerrui – Koekensgracht – Oude Leeuwenrui – Brouwersvliet – Scheldekaaien – Scheldestraat – Kronenburgstraat – Kasteelpleinstraat – Amerikalei – Bolivartunnel – Jan De Voslei – Boomsesteenweg – R11 – Prins Boudewijnlaan.

Road closures

The roads will be closed after 13:00 for most of the afternoon.

And it clashes with Sunday shopping!

A special Sunday-shopping day has been planned for the same day, so you are advised to take public transport or park at one of the P&R.

For more information, visit the website.

International Folklore Festival Schoten

From 9th - 16th July

As the name suggests, amateur folk groups from around the world perform. Although amateur they present a very high standard and it is worth visiting. (Recommended by our members.) Check it out on their English-language web site where you can also buy tickets.

Organ Concerts

Every Friday night in July,  starting at 20.30 until 21.45.

Antwerp Cathedral. Admission 10 euros.

For more details and the schedule, visit the cathedral website.

The Tall Ships Races Antwerp

10th to 13th July

It's here again! Don't miss the spectacle. A special celebration with fireworks will take place on the Grote Markt on the Sunday evening (11 July). More details from the website.

Vlaanderen Feest - Feast Day of the Flemish Community

11th July

Every Flemish "Gemeente" organises its own events. In Antwerp there will be a concert with various artists on the Grote Markt.

The day is an official holiday, so banks etc. are closed, but shops may be open.

Photography Opportunity After Closing

Friday 16th July

This event was so popular that it is now a regular event.

Nature photographer Edwin Brosens is organising a series of walks and workshops for photographers. He will be pointing out various plants and giving tips. The number of participants is limited.

Venue: Arboretum Kalmthout. For more information visit their website.

Gentsefeesten

July 17th - 26th

On Friday July 22nd on the Emile Braunplein/Korenmarkt starting at 20:00 is a colourful parade featuring the Gilde der Stroppendragers (Noose Bearers Guild), who re-enact a punishment imposed nearly 500 years ago by Emperor Charles V on the recalcitrant citizens of Ghent.

More info at their web site

National Day

21st July, 11 am-1 amm

The day is an official holiday so shops, banks etc will all be closed.

In Antwerp

In Antwerp, the celebrations take a much more sober note with remembrance services for the fallen of the two world wars.

In Brussels

Highlights include the opening of key cultural and royal venues, including the Royal Palace, Belgian Parliament and Royal Museums of Art and History in Brussels.

The streets are filled with musicians, theatre and parades. The army puts on a show at Place Poelaert, while sporting activities and an arts and crafts market take place along the Rue de la Régence.

A spectacular firework display ends the festivities at 11 pm on the Place des Palais in the centre of Brussels.

Summer Opening of the Royal Palace of Brussels

July 25th (?) to Sunday, September 5th

The Royal Palace in Brussels opens to the public while the King and his family are on their summer vacation. Entrance is free and includes a visit to the Empire Room, located in the oldest part of the palace, the White Drawing Rooms, where the King officially welcomes newly appointed ambassadors, the Throne Room, now used for large receptions, and the glittering Hall of Mirrors, where distinguished guests are introduced to the King and Queen at special ceremonies. The monumental halls are filled with priceless collections originating from every continent, including a number of new artistic treasures. Works by the painter Marthe Wéry, the photographer Dirk Braeckman, and the visual artist Jan Fabre add a contemporary touch. Fabre’s work in particular catches the eye. He transformed the ceiling in the Hall of Mirrors into a strangely beautiful Heaven of (De)light, using an estimated 1.4 million wing cases from Thai jewel beetles. 
The imposing building, commissioned by Léopold II and completed in 1865, is open from Sunday July 25 to September 5 daily from 10:30-16:30, except Mondays. No reservations.  See www.monarchie.be  which has great virtual tours of the palace.

Taste of Antwerp at the Bollekesfeest

Thursday 5, Friday 6, Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 August

Taste of Antwerp (Antwerpen Proeft) at the Bollekesfeest welcomes tens of thousands of visitors each year. The location of this open air restaurant festival is the spacious square Vlaamse Kaai and Waalse Kaai.

More information: at the city of Antwerp website

Meyboom Celebration

9th August, 12:00 - 17:00

A maypole is raised in the Grand Place in Brussels, on the anniversary of a wedding which took place in 1213. Costumed giants accompany the pole on its journey from the Place des Sablons to the Grand Place.

According to legend, a wedding party was ambushed by a gang of youths from Leuven. When the unwanted youths were finally dispatched, the happy couple honoured the patron saint, Saint Laurence (who saved them and their marriage) by planting a maypole on his saint’s day every year.
The tradition has grown to become one of the major events on Brussels’ heritage calendar. Procession begins at 2 pm; tree planted at 5 pm; bonfire at 8.30 pm. For more information click here.

Flower Carpet

August 12th to 15th, 09:00 to 23:00

Every second (even) year the Grand'Place/Grote Markt in Brussels is transformed into a beautiful carpet of flowers, with thousands of begonias laid out in intricate designs. A must-see.
Cost: free, but if you would like a panoramic view from Town Hall there is a €3 charge for adults. Find out more on their English-language website.

20th International Old-Timer Flying Show

August 14th-15th

There are details of what's happening, what to see and do and how to get there on the English-language web site.

Diest (Flemish Brabant) 
Several hundred elderly aircraft from across Europe are expected at this show at Schaffen airfield near Diest. Look for classics from the 1930s such as the Stampe SV4, Boeing Stearman and de Havilland Tiger Moth as well as more recent models including Jodels, Yakovlevs and Pipers. The main day of the Fly-In is Saturday, when the majority of the aircraft arrive. But Sunday events feature guided visits of the parked airplanes, rides in small planes, a display of vintage cars, and evening hot-air balloon lift-offs. This is not an air show, so don’t expect daredevil aerobatic maneuvers. Prizes are awarded for the best restoration, the oldest plane, the best Stampe, the oldest pilot and the youngest pilot.
The show is open on Saturday from 9:00 to sunset, and on Sunday from 9:00 until the last plane heads for home. Admission is €5.

Rubens Market in Antwerp

15th August

Every year on the Feast if the Assumption, Antwerp recreates the atmosphere of the golden age when Rubens was active as a painter. The city centre and especially the Grote Markt, is transformed into a colourful market featuring all kinds of stall sellers in traditional dress, shouting and singing in order to sell their products. Great fun in the middle of the summer and it opens from 9am until late.

Antwerp hosts an annual market in honor of the city's most famous resident, Rubens. Traders dress in period costume to peddle their wares, turning the Grote Markt into a replica of one of the master's works.

Cultuur Markt van Vlaanderen

29 August

The Culture Market takes place on the last Sunday of August every year. It is an opportunity to find out what is happening on the cultural scene over the coming year in Antwerp and Flanders. Lots of information about theatre, dance, music, literature, visual arts, etc. On the Grote Markt.

Guided Tours of Laeken Cemetery

Monday 1st November 14:000

Laeken cemetery is the last burial ground in Brussels to be situated around a church and is linked both physically and historically to the Belgian royal family. Fascinating features include the underground passageways, the church built in 1275 and an abundance of sculptural art, tombs of great figures and tombs of the kings and other "royals". Indeed this graveyard is often compared with the Père Lachaise in Paris.
Booking is not required but you may like to offer something towards costs.

For more information, visit this web site. (Badly needs updating!)