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DECEMBER 9, 2015 \ newsweekly - € 0,75 \ read more at www.flanderstoday.eu current affairs \ p2

politics \ p4

Climate crunch

BUSiNESS \ p6

Ivy of the Amazon

Belgium’s regional and federal governments agreed to a collective climate change policy during the UN conference in Paris

UGent scientists climbed the Amazon rainforest’s tallest trees to measure the growth of lianas, thick vines that are thriving under deforestation

innovation \ p7

education \ p11

art & living \ p13

Gift, gift, hooray!

Flanders Today’s annual holiday gift guide points you in the direction of the hottest presents at the coolest shops \8

The world on our plates

New book gathers the stories of expat chefs, bakers and bartenders from far and wide Alan Hope More articles by Alan \ flanderstoday.eu

Expat chefs, barkeeps, bakers and food truck vendors talk about the cuisine they’ve brought to Flanders in the new book Melting Pot.

ood and eating can be among the most intimate of human activities, and at the same time the most social. When you eat in a restaurant, you’re asking the chef, usually a stranger, to prepare something with his or her hands for you to eat. It requires the utmost trust, yet we do it without thinking. For some cooks, the relationship is even wider: they have become, by the nature of their enterprise, representatives of a whole other country, of a culture, of a history. They present to you not only their own skills and tastes but also those of the place and the people they come from and have left behind. Karin De Bruyn and Guido Everaert have gathered together the stories of 20 such food ambassadors in the new book Melting Pot: De wereld kookt in België (The World Cooks in Belgium). It’s not only restaurant chefs: there are the Sudanese owners of a food shop, a Portuguese pastry baker, a Turkish olive oil trader, a Bolivian barman and the proprietor of an Indian food truck. “About 10 years ago, I met a Belgian guy who was living in Portugal,” De Bruyn explains. “He’d left everything behind and was living a much simpler life. And he was much happier than he’d been here. That was something that stuck in my mind, and it occurred to me that if we found people like him abroad, there must be similar stories the other way around.” So they went looking for people who came to Belgium for whatever reason – “sometimes well thought-out and sometimes by pure chance”. They weren’t interested in telling everyday stories of people who come from another country and open a restaurant. Instead, they wanted people with outspoken opinions on cuisine, or, indeed, on life. De Bruyn: “The people we ended up selecting all have things in common: They have a lot of talent, but they also question themselves. Even the Michelin-starred chef doesn’t think he’s at the top. These people are always doubting themselves, looking for new ways to be innovative.” One of the expats is a chef from Iceland, Vilhjalmur Sigurdarson of Souvenir in Ypres, who illustrates that trait perfectly. He trained in his homeland but decided to strike out in the wider world. “Compare it with mountain climbing,” he says. “The preparation is immense, and the excitement you feel when you reach the first summit is unimaginable. Of course you’re proud of yourself, but then the real drama unfolds in front of your eyes: all those other summits that have to be conquered. Every chef is a hopeless romantic: We wreck our bodies, our lives, our relationships, all in the quest for the ultimate. The ultimate, which then is ultimately eaten up.” “I think it’s part of their characters,” says De Bruyn. “They want to out-perform themselves. Nothing in life is a given, and the moment you think you’ve achieved what you wanted to achieve … they all told us that’s the moment where you start going downhill.” But innovating doesn’t always mean more or bigger, she notes. “Sometimes it’s the other way round, going back to the very essence of food, something smaller that gives you space to be playful.” The food and drinks service industry offers new arrivals particu-

continued on page 5

\ CURRENT AFFAIRS

Hasselt is smartest city

The capital of Limburg gets top scores for start-ups, air quality and energy use Alan Hope Follow Alan on Twitter \ @AlanHopeFT

asselt, the capital of Limburg province, is the smartest city in Belgium, according to a survey carried out by the technology industry federation Agoria. The survey looked at the number of digital companies, air quality and energy consumption, among other criteria. Hasselt finished with a score of 85 from a possible 100 points, far ahead of Namur, in second place with 69 points, followed closely by Leuven (68), Mechelen (66) and Genk (63). The survey, which looked at the 20 largest cities in the country, is a worthwhile measure for residents and investors alike, Agoria said. “Investors look worldwide for the most suitable location for their activities,” the organisation said.

“Criteria such as quality of life, mobility, air pollution, energy policy and know-how form part of that decision.” Among the other criteria studied were the state of the buildings and the volume of household waste produced. Hasselt scored well in all five areas. The worst-scoring city in Flanders was Antwerp. The best of Belgian cities, however, are still behind world leaders such as Copenhagen, Barcelona and Helsinki, Agoria said. “What is lacking is large-scale applications at the level of the city or neighbourhood. Think, for example, of linking thousands of households to heating networks, the use of smart energy meters, electric buses with the necessary charging infrastructure and intelligent traffic management.”

Belgium lose to Australia in Hockey World League final Belgium’s extraordinary hockey adventure came to an end on Sunday when Australia beat them 2-1 in the Hockey World League final in Raipur, India. Belgium’s emergence as a field hockey power has been one of the sport’s most remarkable fairy tales, but the Red Lions’ luck ran out against Australia’s Kookaburras, who clinched the second HWL title at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium. After a barren first quarter, Australia went ahead in the 16th minute when Jeremy Hayward hammered a powerful shot beyond Belgium’s goalkeeper, Vincent Vanasch, followed by a secondhalf penalty from Matthew Dawson. Australia looked to have scored a third moments later, only to be denied by a

goal-line clearance by Emmanuel Stockbroekx. Belgium pressed hard in the final quarter and secured a penalty corner in the final minute, from which Simon Gougnard scored a consolation goal. Earlier, on Saturday, a solitary strike from Cedric Charlier had put Belgium into the final as they beat hosts India 1-0 in the semi-final. The final marks a steady trajectory for the Red Lions that includes their first European Championships final in 2013 and winning hockey’s second-tier trophy, the Champions Challenge, in 2011. Sunday’s silver medal is their first top-level prize since they won bronze at the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp. \ Leo Cendrowicz

Flemish life expectancy among highest in Europe A boy born in Flanders in 2013 has a life expectancy of 79.1 years and a girl 83.7 years, a considerable increase compared to 2004, when the life expectancies were 77.2 and 82.5 respectively. With current life expectancy figures, Flemings rank in fifth place among EU countries, according to Flemish welfare minister Jo Vandeurzen. Flemish women rank a high fourth place in the EU. Only in Italy, Spain and France is women’s life expectancy higher. Flemish men do less well, with an 11th place ranking out of 28 regions. In 2013, 61,063 people died in Flanders, 678 more than in 2012. The increase of deaths in absolute numbers is logical, said Vandeurzen, because of the ageing of the population. But the per capita number of deaths is gradually decreasing, he said. According to the minister, this is the result of better medical care and improved cancer screenings, particularly for breast, cervical and colon cancers. “There also are more and more campaigns to encourage people to live healthier lifestyle,” said the welfare

ministry in a statement. There are also more campaigns and programmes related to the prevention of suicide.\ Andy Furniere

Safety measures demanded after doctor murdered on house call The Flemish federation of general practitioners, Domus Medica, has called for stronger safety measures to protect doctors on house calls, following the death of a doctor last week while visiting a patient. Dr Patrick Roelandt from Izegem, West Flanders, was attacked in a home in nearby Ingelmunster and died from a single stab wound to the neck, the Kortrijk prosecutor’s office said. “Patrick Roelandt himself worked on new measures to improve the safety of GPs,” said Maaike Van Overloop, chair of Domus Medica. “The fact that more safety measures are needed has been stressed in the most tragic way. This is a blow for all of us.” Roelandt had been a strong supporter of the alarm button in doctors’ offices, which was the subject of a test project ordered by the home affairs ministry in 2008. It sent an automatic signal to the emergency number 112. The system was never implemented. “In the meantime, it’s now technically possible to install an alarm app, which could cover doctors during house calls,” said Van Overloop. “On the one hand, doctors need to feel safe on the streets. On the other, they can’t go on house calls wearing a bulletproof vest. A doctor needs to be close to the patient and be able to build a bond of trust.” “All care givers who make house calls provide an exceptionally worthwhile service,” said a spokesperson for federal health minister Maggie De Block, herself a general practitioner. “Unfortunately not all patients have good intentions. We ask all carers to be particularly vigilant on house calls.” The patient involved in the attack has been arrested and is in custody. \ AH

€226

1:5 4

€ 4 2 m i ll i o n

4,040 winning time in the Stair Climbing Race at the Brussels Sheraton Hotel, in which participants run up 466 stairs to the 30th floor. The event is held in aid of Unicef

trains were cancelled or covered a limited route in October compared to 1,767 at the same time last year, due to local and regional industrial action by rail unions

10.1 cost of renovating Rogierplein in Brussels, including the metro station and the construction of a gigantic glass and metal canopy covering most of the square

average daytime temperature in November, compared to a seasonal average of 6.8 degrees, making it the second warmest November since records began

a year lost on average by Belgian employees by failing to claim incurred expenses, offering employers a windfall of some €200 million, according to an international study by Unit 4

DECEMBER 9, 2015

WEEK in brief One of the youths responsible for a series of bomb hoaxes in Mechelen during the heightened terror alert was freed from custody to await trial but ordered to take a guided tour of the city’s Holocaust museum. The 18-year-old from Antwerp had signalled a bomb in a school but was released because he did not specify which school, and no evacuations took place. He faces up to one year in prison. Antwerp Zoo has announced the birth of a baby okapi, a relative of the giraffe now only found in the wild in the Ituri rain forest of Democratic Republic of Congo, where the population has declined by 50% in the last decade. Antwerp Zoo is the co-ordinator of the world okapi breeding programme and maintains a reserve in the Ituri forest. The calf ’s name is Qira, and she was born at 24kg and 85cm after a gestation of 14 months to parents Yenthe and Bondo. The Cassation Court has upheld a fine imposed on internet company Yahoo of €44,000 following a long procedural battle through three appeal courts. The company was found guilty in 2009 by a court in Dendermonde of breaking the law by failing to deliver the names of suspects accused of internet fraud. Yahoo argued it was not subject to Belgian regulations. The case dragged on until last week, when Cassation delivered the final verdict: the Belgian law stands, and the company must pay. The Jury for Ethical Practices in Advertising has reprimanded Brussels Airlines for a radio spot in which the company presented its new fidelity programme Loop, explaining that points could be collected for free flights. The airline did not point out that the flights were still liable to taxes and other supplements. Brussels Airlines contested the ruling but pointed out that the campaign is finished.

face of flanders Academic and Islam expert Montasser AlDe’emeh was detained by police last week because he was recording officers on security duty and not, as AlDe’emeh claimed, because he resembled a terrorist suspect, according to Elsene chief-of-police Guido Wymeersch. AlDe’emeh was detained and searched in the Brussels commune. He said he was handled roughly for no reason other than his appearance. According to police, he had been seen driving past security checkpoints, filming police from his car. Three in four people in Flanders take part in cultural activities to some extent, according to a study carried out for the culture ministry. The study asked 4,000 people how culture figured into their spare time and found twice as many attendances at pop and rock concerts compared to five years ago, with classical concerts up slightly. Theatre and dance were mainly an affair for an older public, and the number of book loans from libraries had gone down, with libraries mainly visited by young people. Six shipping containers full of bananas washed up on the coast of Flanders last week, from a ship which lost its cargo offshore in heavy weather. Three containers landed in Dunkirk just over the French border, while two washed up in Lombardsijde, two in Middelkerke, one in Nieuwpoort and on in De Haan. The six other containers are assumed to have broken up, with large pieces coming ashore in Ostend. Brussels will host an international conference on the future of Afghanistan next year, following similar events in London in 2010 and Tokyo in 2012, foreign affairs minister Didier Reynders has announced. The conference, to be held next October, will look at how far the Afghan government has met promises of reform made in Tokyo.

The federal police have warned of the existence of a false email circulating in the name of police commissioner Catherine De Bolle. The mail, written in poor French and Dutch and warning of terrorist activity, contains malware and should be deleted unopened immediately. Doctors of the World is working with pharmacy chain Multipharma to provide 1,500 flu vaccines for homeless people this winter in Brussels, Antwerp, Ostend and La Louvière. A team of volunteer nurses has started visiting homeless shelters to administer the vaccines. The NGO said that it hoped the action would encourage local authorities to carry out similar campaigns for vulnerable groups in their own areas. Brussels-City council is working on a new version of its policy for cafe terraces, alderwoman for economic affairs Marion Lemesre has announced. Lemesre was commenting on the case of a bar near the European quarter that had its terrace plants confiscated and destroyed by police because they were not part of the terrace licence. Plants and other decorations have to be licenced on a case-by-case basis, Lemesre said, but would be taken up in the new regulation, which should come into force in the New Year. Dendermonde police court judge Peter D’Hondt, whose sentencing of traffic offenders has often made headlines, last week ordered a woman to serve a year in prison for speeding – her 39th time appearing in court for road traffic offences. The woman, who was travelling at 168 km/h on the motorway, was also fined €6,000, banned from driving for five years and ordered to take all tests over again should she wish to drive again in the future.

OFFSIDE Sinterklaasje, kom maar binnen By the time you read this, he will have passed your way and hopefully will have left your heart’s desire in the form of a sixpence and a tangerine, some new hankies or a Body Shop basket. We refer of course to Sinterklaas, the Good Holy Man, whose day it was last weekend, and who called on homes across the region to bring presents to all the good girls and boys. And if you were wondering how he manages to do that, a possible answer has been provided by the consultancy WES: Sinterklaas is very, very rich. Belgians, a WES survey reveals, spend €350 million at this time of

year on presents for the feast of St Nicholas. Families with children, WES found, celebrate the occa-

Katrien Herdewyn The Starter of the Year award is given out by Unizo, the organisation that represents the selfemployed in Flanders, to the owners of new businesses. Five entrants are selected for a shortlist, and the five candidates present their idea to a jury. This year’s winner is Katrien Herdewyn from Rotselaar in Flemish Brabant. Herdewyn, 28, is an engineer with a doctorate in nanotechnology. Her business, Elegnano, designs shoes that use nanotechnology to render the materials resistant to dirt and water. The leather is from the Marche region of Italy, a traditional source of fine shoe leather, but the coatings developed in Belgium are utterly new. She studied at the University of Leuven, then went on to do a doctorate in physics at the same time as studying shoe design at Sint-Niklaas’ fine arts academy. Then came the London School of Fashion, Italian fashion school Polimoda, the exclusive Prescott & MacKay shoe materials school in London and the Dutch footwear institute SLEM. Herdewyn’s shoes not only look good, they’re also cutting-edge

elegnano.com

technically. She’s experimented with 3D printing of heels in polyamide, but her biggest breakthrough so far is the self-cleaning shoe. “The leather upper contains minuscule rods that prevent water and dirt from penetrating, causing it to roll off in droplets,” she told Het Laatste Nieuws. The designer said she was inspired by the lotus blossom, which remains pristinely white regardless of the muddy ground it grows in. She convinced the jury through her innovative approach, business strategy and passion for enterprise. Her collection currently includes four styles, which sell online as well as in pop-up shops and permanent locations in Ghent, SintMartens-Latem and Leuven. The four other short-listed candidates in this year’s contest were diaper service Washcot of Harelbeke, West Flanders, heating specialists Verwarmslimmer of Ghent, guitar builders Stradlin of Hamont-Achel, Limburg, and administrative services provider AnDless of Antwerp. \ Alan Hope

Flanders Today, a weekly English-language newspaper, is an initiative of the Flemish Region and is financially supported by the Flemish authorities.

sion in huge numbers, from 90% for households with one or more children under six, down to 62% with kids aged between 13 and 17. Parents spend an average €70 on gifts per child. In 88% of cases, their choice is made according to their kids’ wish-list; 66% are swayed by information from the shops; 62% are convinced by word of mouth. An increasing share of shopping is taking place online: 65% go online to compare prices, but only about 21% actually buy online, preferring to hand their money over in actual shops – one in four of them leaving it until the last minute. \ AH

The logo and the name Flanders Today belong to the Flemish Region (Benelux Beeldmerk nr 815.088). The editorial team of Flanders Today has full editorial autonomy regarding the content of the newspaper and is responsible for all content, as stipulated in the agreement between Corelio Publishing and the Flemish authorities.

Editor Lisa Bradshaw DEPUTY Editor Sally Tipper CONTRIBUTING Editor Alan Hope sub Editor Linda A Thompson Agenda Robyn Boyle, Georgio Valentino Art director Paul Van Dooren Prepress Mediahuis AdPro Contributors Rebecca Benoot, Bartosz Brzezi´nski, Derek Blyth, Leo Cendrowicz, Katy Desmond, Andy Furniere, Diana Goodwin, Julie Kavanagh, Catherine Kosters, Toon Lambrechts, Katrien Lindemans, Ian Mundell, Anja Otte, Tom Peeters, Daniel Shamaun, Senne Starckx, Christophe Verbiest, Denzil Walton General manager Hans De Loore Publisher Mediahuis NV

Editorial address Gossetlaan 30 - 1702 Groot-Bijgaarden tel 02 467 23 06 editorial@flanderstoday.eu subscriptions tel 03 560 17 49 subscriptions@flanderstoday.eu or order online at www.flanderstoday.eu Advertising 02 467 24 37 advertising@flanderstoday.eu Verantwoordelijke uitgever Hans De Loore

\ POLITICS

5TH COLUMN Quitters never win

So Belgium has a climate agreement before the end of the UN conference on climate change after all, but the – late – achievement is bittersweet. Prime minister Charles Michel (MR) feels let down by N-VA, his main coalition partner, after the nationalists in the government of Flanders refused to accept an earlier agreement that its environment minister, Joke Schauvliege, had approved. Schauvliege’s party CD&V is also left with feelings of resentment at the embarrassment the minister suffered. The government of Flanders decided this week on another issue with an environmental impact: Uplace. The leisure and shopping centre is to be built on what was once a car manufacture plant near Vilvoorde. That it should receive planning permission is only logical to minister-president Geert Bourgeois (N-VA). Previous governments have promised it several times; withdrawing their support would serve to undermine the relationship with business. But since the original agreement with Uplace, many people have changed their minds about it. While it seemed a good idea to put the gigantic brownfield site to use and create 3,000 jobs, many now fear the impact on mobility, on air quality and on small businesses as far away as Mechelen and Leuven. Almost all parties are now split between ( few) believers and (many) opponents. So when Bourgeois had to convince his government for the final go-ahead, he used everything he had. Some internal sources describe his arguments as “emotional”, others found them “threatening”. But the ministers agreed. But the government still had to face parliament, and it wasn’t just the opposition that drew out their swords. Majority MP Bart Somers (Open VLD), mayor of Mechelen, called Uplace outdated. CD&V speaker Koen Van den Heuvel hoped that the Council of State would find fault with the permission his own ministers had granted. The internal criticism came on top of earlier remarks from the government’s ranks, urging it to stop “political games” about the climate agreement. In a blog post last weekend, federal MP Eric Van Rompuy accused N-VA of “being bossy”. As a man of the law, Bourgeois sometimes lacks the political flexibility to compromise. Still, he is not one to give up. In a first reaction, he has called for unity and announced an ambitious plan for a Flemish summit... on climate change. \ Anja Otte

Climate agreement reached Four governments agree to a Belgian policy on climate change Alan Hope More articles by Alan \ flanderstoday.eu

elgium’s four environment ministers – one from each region and one from the federal government – have reached agreement on the country’s policy goals on climate change. The agreement was reached last Friday, six years after the negotiations started and a week after the start of the UN conference on climate change in Paris. The agreement covers the period 2013 to 2020 and deals with the emission of greenhouse gases and the production of renewable energy. The EU plans to reduce greenhouse emissions by 15% and produce 13% of its total energy from renewable sources. Belgium’s contribution to the financing of climate measures is €50 million a year – €25 million from the federal government, €14.5 million from Flanders, €8.25 million from Wallonia and €2.25 million from the Brussels-

More than 10,000 protesters took part in a climate march in Ostend on Sunday

Capital Region. Achieving the national target on greenhouse emissions will require cuts in Flanders of 15.7%, with 14.7% in Wallonia and 8.8% in Brussels.

The country has a carbon dioxide quota that, under the Emission Trading Scheme, is worth €326 million when emissions quotas are sold to industry. That will be shared out as follows: federal 10%, Flanders 53%, Wallonia 30%, Brussels 7%. As far as the production of renewable energy is concerned, the total production represented by 13% comes to 4.224 Mtep (million tonnes equivalent of petroleum). Flanders will contribute 2.156 Mtep, Wallonia 1.277 Mtep, Brussels 0.073 Mtep and federal 0.718 Mtep. “Everyone had to compromise on something,” said Flemish environment minister Joke Schauvliege. “Flanders will do more than was first expected, but that’s also the case for Wallonia and the federal government. Everyone has made an effort to ensure that there was a binding agreement.”

Flanders has new decree on natural disasters

Council of State rules against Flanders’ new energy tax

The government of Flanders has approved a new decree governing the recognition of natural disasters. In the last year, two events were listed as natural disasters in Flanders: heavy rainfall, including hailstones, which caused severe damage across the region in late July 2014 and again a week later in August. The Flemish Disaster Fund covers damages not included in fire insurance, which usually covers lightning, storm damage, flooding and earthquakes. The new decree covers, for instance, agricultural loss due to the effects of storms. The current system where a provisional sum is paid pending deliberation of the claim has been ended, as has the system of covering the cost of expert assessors brought in to evaluate the damage. “These costs are often excessive,” said minister-president Geert Bourgeois, who proposed the new decree. “The victim’s own description of the damage, together with the bills, is sufficient for the disaster fund to evaluate the extent of the damage.” \ AH

A tax on energy in Flanders has been rejected by the Council of State, an advisory board on federal judicial matters. The tax, nicknamed the Turteltax after Flemish energy minister Annemie Turtelboom, represents a form of double taxation, which is in breach of the Constitution, the council said. The government planned to introduce the tax on consumption next year, which for most families would come to some €100 per household annually. The aim was to bring down the huge debt the government previously incurred from its green energy premiums, which were massively popular. But households already pay a federal levy on energy consumption, which means that this would constitute double taxation according to the ruling. That is a breach of the Constitution and also infringes on agreements between the levels of government over who is responsible for what. “As a result,” the court said, “the subject needs to be thoroughly revised so the taxpayer is not taxed in function of consumption.” The Council of State is an advisory board, and a minister does not have to take its advice, though they usually do. Turtelboom said that she still plans to introduce the tax. According to tax expert Michel Maus, speaking on VRT radio at the weekend, Turtelboom’s position could lead to a case before the Constitutional Court. \ AH

Greenpeace takes nuclear reopening to Council of State

Ambassador Alexander Romanov (left) and secretary-general Koen Verlaeckt

Flanders and Russia to co-operate on science and education The governments of Russia and Flanders have signed an agreement to work together in matters relating to education, science and culture. The agreement was signed last week by Alexander Romanov, Russian ambassador to Belgium, and Koen Verlaeckt, secretary-general of the Flemish government’s department of foreign affairs. Relations between Russia and EU countries have been strained over the last year, after Russia imposed a boycott on certain agricultural products, such as fruit and pork, which hit the Flemish economy hard. However, Russia and Flanders have a long history of co-operation in education, science and

culture: Last year some 400 Russian students took courses at Flemish universities. Both sides agreed that trade and bilateral investment remain strong, despite the economic sanctions. The subject will come up again when representatives of Belgium, Luxembourg and Russia meet in Sochi in February. The meeting at which the agreement was signed was the first of its sort since 2008. Ambassador Romanov proposed a new meeting in Moscow at a date to be fixed. In the meantime, the Russian minister of education has been invited to a Council of Europe conference to be held in Brussels in April. \ AH

Environmental organisation Greenpeace has begun a legal action before the Council of State against the decision by the federal government to extend the operations of nuclear reactors Doel 1 and 2 in Beveren, East Flanders, by 10 years. The government has come to an agreement with electricity provider Electrabel regarding the prolongation of the two reactors. Prime minister Charles Michel said the agreement would “guarantee Belgium’s energy supply”. The government had already agreed to extend the operations of the two reactors to 2025, but Electrabel and parent company Engie had to agree. Agreements with Electrabel include the fee it must pay to operate the reactors, which have long since recouped their initial cost. In 2013, the fee came to €422

million. In 2015 and 2016 it was reduced – to €200 million and €150 million respectively – to take account of the closure of Doel 3 and 4 and Tihange 2. Engie claims it has cost €600 million to make Doel 1 and 2 fit to continue and demands a serious discount on the fee. Greenpeace argues that the Council of State has already ruled that the reactors cannot be continued without public consultation and a new environmental impact report. “A whole series of essential modernisation works have been cancelled or postponed into the distant future,” said Jan Vande Putte, energy campaign director for Greenpeace. “The government may want to step blindly into an extremely weak deal with Electrabel, but we are not prepared to let that happen.” \ AH

\ COVER STORY

DECEMBER 9, 2015

The world on our plates

Chefs, bartenders and bakers bring their food – and their roots – to local eateries continued from page 1

lar opportunities. There’s likely a network of prior arrivals who have set up in business and can offer jobs in the short term and potentially investment in the longer term. There’s also the chance for the enterprising and creative types to make a mark. There may be a surfeit of gyros snack bars, but most other sorts of cuisine still have room for growth. “These are very creative people,” De Bruyn says. “It sounds a bit of a cliché, but they all want to express themselves. So it’s a way of being creative, but it’s also a way of holding on to something from their roots. Very often it’s a question of pride and of keeping memories alive, of their childhood, of their mother or grandmother, of their home.” Customers, too, are open to these cultural influences. If we are willing to eat food prepared by a stranger, we’re also willing to eat food from strange places prepared in strange ways. “Our cuisine is a communal cuisine; it lends itself to sharing,” says Haile Abebe, owner of the Ethiopian restaurant Toukoul in central Brussels. “That means a certain level of refinement is not achievable. You won’t come across any oysters here because you can’t share an oyster. It’s a very conservative cuisine, with a great deal of respect for tradition, flavours and spices. If you want to innovate, you have to go about it very carefully.” That balance of the creative and traditional can be comforting, De Bruyn points out. “Even in these very turbulent times, food is something that people can still understand,” she says. “We may suffer a fear of the unknown, but people tend to forget that when it comes to food of different origins. Food is one of the very few domains we’ve found where people just open up to all kinds of new influences, different flavours and manners and experiences, without any apprehension.” Coincidentally, food was imported directly into De Bruyn’s home from far and wide. “My father was a captain on a cruise ship, and whenever he came home, he brought dried herbs or some kind of exotic ingredients,” she says. “So foreign food was something that was

Clockwise, from top: Lhamo Svalnto of MoMo, which serves up Tibetan dumplings and soup in Brussels; Syrian-Lebanese fare at Brussels’ L’Oriento; Ethiopian restaurant Toukoul in Brussels, where platters are shared

present during my youth. Then after my studies, I left Antwerp and went to live in Luxembourg, where I worked in a hotel with a gastronomic restaurant. That’s where I really picked up a love for food.”

And of course, there’s something in the whole enterprise for those who come to take part. “What’s the worst that could happen? I leave a lot to chance, but I’ve had a fantastic life for more than 30 years, with no

two years the same,” says Food truck chef Mahesh Chandran. “If you can begin as I did to look after yourself early on, your self-confidence grows. The projects I’m working on now I know will be successful.

I’ve never been super-rich, but I’ve never been super-poor. Life is pretty simple, and that’s good for me.” Melting Pot by Karin De Bruyn and Guido Everaert is published in Dutch by Luster

Where the experts eat The authors of Melting Pot asked everyone they interviewed for tips on places to eat and drink, as well as where to find the best or the most sought-after ingredients. Vajra in Overijse. Recommended by Lhamo Svaluto of Tibetan dumpling bar Mo Mo in Brussels. “They’re one of my most important suppliers. They’ve been around for nearly 30 years, and they’re far and away the oldest and most reliable of the organic suppliers. They know their market extremely well, and

can assist and advise.” Jigger’s cocktail bar in Ghent. Recommended by Abe Taghdis of Uncle Babe’s burger restaurant in Ghent. “Fantastic surroundings, and a terrific barman who’s a master of his craft and doesn’t hesitate to try out new things.” Hungarom in Brussels. Recommended by Joaquim Braz de Oliveira of Forcado pastry shop in Sint-Gillis, Brussels. “A fascinating shop, with fantastic products. Absolutely

delicious sausages and Hungarian charcuterie. There’s always something new to discover.” Ikebana in Berchem. Recommended by Ramazan Goktepe, owner of Turkish olive oil shop Ta-Ze in Ghent. “Simple, freshly prepared and delicious. I can imagine there might be more prestigious sushi houses around, but this is a place I like to come.” El Sabor Andino in Antwerp. Recommended by Sandra Delgadillo-Porcel of

Mama Matrea in Antwerp (pictured on cover). “Peruvian cuisine and delicious Pisco, the Peruvian-Chilean grape brandy. And of course the ceviche is exactly as it should be. Unpretentious but delicious, with friendly service.” Table d’Amis in Kortrijk. Recommended by Vilhjalmur Sigurdarson of Souvenir in Ypres. “A huge talent and a man who keeps going until the balance of flavours is absolutely right. I admire that.”

\ BUSINESS

week in business Air Brussels Airlines The carrier is launching six flights a week to Nuremberg in February. This brings the number of German destinations serviced by the airline to eight.

Energy Fluxys The gas pipeline operator and transport group is seeking a stake in the Greek Desfa gas network operator. Fluxys has started a due diligence process on Desfa’s accounts, which could lead to the acquisition of up to 8% of the company.

Fitness David Lloyd The British upmarket health club plans to open a new facility in Edegem, near Antwerp, next May, with another planned near Ghent later. The company currently operates just one outlet, in the Ukkel commune of Brussels.

Retail Apple The US-based technology group has announced the opening of an Apple Store in Antwerp early next year, its second in the country after Brussels, which opened in September.

Imaging Cmosis The Antwerp hi-tech developer of imaging sensors and equipment in use in the medical, movements detection and photography sectors has been acquired by its Austrian competitor AMS for €220 million.

Insurance Nationale Suisse The Swiss insurance company has sold its local operations to Harper Holding of Luxembourg, an affiliate of the Bermuda-based Enstar group, for €33 million. The new owner has renamed the company Alpha Insurance.

Investment Alychlo Marc Coucke, the founder of Omega Pharma, is investing some €75 million through his Alychlo investment vehicle in four companies specialised in cancer research: Switerland’s Sophia Genetics, the Leuven-based start-up miDiagnostics, MdxHealth in the US and the DROIA venture capital fund in Meise. Alychlo also gave €2.5 million to Stop Darmkanker, a non-profit research and treatment centre in Antwerp.

Facebook closes content to Belgian users without accounts Social media giant responds to court decision on privacy Alan Hope More articles by Alan \ flanderstoday.eu

ocial network site Facebook has closed access to its pages to anyone in Belgium without a Facebook profile. The move is the American company’s response to a court decision last month on protection of information and was immediately condemned by the privacy commission and by federal privacy secretary Bart Tommelein. Last month Facebook lost a court action on data protection in Belgium and was ordered to stop tracking the internet movements of people who are not members of the network and who have, therefore, never given permission to be tracked. The company said that the tracking – triggered whenever any webpage is visited that includes a link to Facebook – was for security reasons, but

the court rejected that argument. Now Facebook has decided to deny access to non-members in Belgium. The move affects not

AmCham report shows impact of US companies on Belgian society American companies contribute to Belgium not only through their economic activities but also through their “deep engagement in local communities,” according to a new report issued by the American Chamber of Commerce in Belgium (AmCham). AmCham carried out a survey of 75 American companies of varying sizes, which employ nearly 70,000 people in Belgium – just under half of the US company total. The survey aimed to find out about community involvement and gathered information on 150 projects, including sports programmes, training, clearing up litter and home maintenance for the handicapped. Projects were typically a mix of volunteer work and donations of cash, goods or services. Community impact projects, says the report, “are an effective tool for employee engagement, building pride in one’s employer and developing a

bridge between employees and the local community,” and can benefit a company’s core business. Projects tended to focus on youth issues. Employees were encouraged to volunteer on company time, and senior management took part in four out of five projects. Brussels and Antwerp together accounted for nearly 56% of projects, with Flemish Brabant and East Flanders adding another 23%. Examples included the recycling of electronic waste in East Flanders by Temco, workshops for IBM employees to help immigrants integrate in Brussels and volunteers for the Special Olympics in Antwerp by staff of Coca-Cola. “US companies demonstrate their commitment to Belgium not only through their high value-added economic activities, but also through their deep engagement in local communities,” said AmCham chief executive Marcel Claes. \ AH

only the profiles of ordinary members but also pages set up by organisations, businesses and public figures. More and more, campaigners, fundraisers and charities use Facebook pages instead of dedicated websites. Those will all be closed now to anyone not signed up to Facebook. “They’re a major player, and the impact of their decision is major, but we are not giving in to blackmail,” said Tommelein. “Everyone has to abide by the privacy laws. Without privacy, there can be no freedom.” Tommelein also expressed the hope that Facebook would continue discussions with the privacy commission and that the latest measure would only be temporary.

Sugar company Beneo Orafti fined €7 million for export fraud Sugar refinery Beneo Orafti, based in Tienen, Flemish Brabant, has been fined €7 million by the federal government for export fraud. The company, a sister enterprise of the Tienen refinery that produces most of Belgium’s sugar, was also ordered to pay interest on the subsidies received. Government investigators found that Beneo – which produces sugar derivatives from chicory roots for the food industry as well as a range of sweeteners – had on 193 occasions claimed export subsidies for sales of fructose syrup to Kaliningrad. Instead, the syrup was re-sold from Russia to Croatia, Lithuania, Slovenia and Latvia – countries that did not attract subsidies for exporters. The fraud, investigators found, took place from 2003 to 2006, bringing Beneo an estimated €3 million in subsidies. The company claimed it had no control over what happened to the product after it had arrived in Kaliningrad. Both Beneo and Tiense Suiker are just two of the 40 subsidiaries of the German company Südzucker, which takes in about €450 million in agricultural subsidies a year. The government originally lost its case but appealed and won. The company may elect to appeal to the Cassation Court. \ AH

Uplace shopping centre permits approved in face of opposition The government of Flanders has approved all of the necessary permits for the construction of the Uplace shopping and leisure complex planned for Machelen, just outside Brussels. The decision to go ahead with the project has been widely criticised, including by the government’s coalition parties. The government approved the project early this year on the condition that a public enquiry be carried out. That gave rise to 73 official objections, which have seen the original plans amended. Opponents have claimed that the complex, which includes shopping, leisure and entertainment facilities, will further burden the already saturated traffic on the Brussels Ring. Municipalities from Vilvoorde to Leuven complain that they will lose shoppers from their town centres, a

point backed by Unizo, the organisation that represents the selfemployed. Unizo director Karel Van Eetvelt described the government’s decision as “stupid, short-sighted and hypocritical”. The government lacked a clear vision of the future of retail, Van Eetvelt told VRT radio. “We’ve been waiting for five years to see a deliv-

ery on promises to strengthen existing town shopping areas,” he said. “Those promises were included in the government accords, but no one has the courage to make decisions in that direction.” Peter Van Kemseke, fraction leader for CD&V in Vilvoorde, said that the decision was “incomprehensible” in a week when the European Environ-

ment Agency had produced alarming figures on the number of premature deaths in Belgium as a result of air pollution. Opposition socialists described the plan as “a disaster for mobility around Brussels”. Flemish chamber of commerce Voka for the Halle-Vilvoorde region, however, gave its approval. “This decision is an important lever for mobility developments in the region, such as a regional express network, the tram lines of Brabantnet and soon, hopefully, the restructuring of the Brussels Ring,” said director Paul Hegge. The government’s approval of the project now has to be approved by the Council of State, which is expected to report back in the spring. Construction should begin immediately after that, according to Uplace, to be ready to open sometime in 2018. \ AH

\ INNOVATION

DECEMBER 9, 2015

The treeclimbers

week in innovation

UGent scientists study climate impact of “the ivy of the Amazon” Senne Starckx More articles by Senne \ flanderstoday.eu

bout a quarter of all woody plants in tropical rainforest are lianas – long-stemmed woody vines, the kind that Tarzan liked to swing from. For the fictional hero, there’s good news: Lianas are thriving, and scientists think this is due to deforestation and the increase of CO2 in the air – the main driver of climate change. But for the rest of us, it’s probably bad news. Lianas absorb less greenhouse gas than ordinary broad-leaved trees, and, due to their parasitic nature, they may be devastating for the mitigating effects of rainforests. Although scientists have a strong suspicion that lianas affect a forest’s carbon storage capacity, they aren’t certain. “The question is what consequences there are for global warming if lianas become increasingly present in rainforests at the expense of trees,” says professor Hans Verbeeck, head of the computational and applied vegetation ecology group (CAVElab) at Ghent University. “Over the past 30 years, we’ve witnessed a real increase of lianas in the Amazon rainforest.” Although lianas do absorb CO2 from the air through their many leaves, they don’t store the carbon in hardwood. “That’s the key problem,” says Verbeeck. “Taxonomically speaking, lianas don’t belong to a particular family,” explains Jana Roels, a Master’s student in bio-engineering who’s doing her thesis research in Verbeeck’s group. “Lianas represent a certain growth form that arose at different times and places in evolution, driven by the competition for sunlight.” Lianas don’t have to rely on a stem such as wood to support themselves, she says. Instead they grow along trees to reach

Nancy Pausenberger of UGent climbed 30 metre-tall trees in the Amazon for the study on lianas

above the canopy. Because they don’t have to invest in hard structure, these lianas can grow and spread much more quickly than trees. “They are structural parasites,” says Roels. “We don’t call them the ivy of the rainforest for nothing.” The fact that lianas use their build-up of biomass for shortlived leaves rather than long-lived hardwood means that the CO2 is released back to the atmosphere much sooner through the falling of the leaves. Roels is involved in CAVElab’s Treeclimbers project, which studies why lianas have been able to thrive over the past three decades and what impact this has on present and future climate. With Nancy Pausenberger, who’s also studying lianas for her Master’s thesis, Roels went to French Guyana last summer to see her object of study up close and personal. Pausenberger’s research focuses on measuring the photosynthesis characteristics of lianas in

situ. That explains the name of the project: Pausenberger had to climb up to the canopy of giant trees to put her scientific equipment in place. With that apparatus, she measured how much CO2 the lianas absorbed over a period of hours. She also took into account the amount of solar radiation and the rate of the plants’ photosynthesis. “Before we went to French Guyana, Jana and I had followed a crash course in tree climbing in the Roosendael domain in Antwerp,” says Pausenberger. “But the trees in Belgium are dwarves compared to the 30-metre giants in the rainforest. Luckily we were helped by a professional tree climber.” Roels and Pausenberger worked in the rainforest at the Domaine Experimental Paracou, an area close to the Atlantic coast that’s managed by the French authorities as a research environment, combing 10 hectares of forest. “We measured and labelled every liana taller than two centime-

tres,” Roels says. “The aim is to come back after a couple of years to see how big the labelled lianas have grown and how many new ones have emerged.” Lianas are currently doing well thanks to two main factors: They can withstand periods of drought better than other plants, and they aren’t short of leaves – their leaves-to-biomass ratio is much higher than that of trees, so they benefit much more from higher concentrations of CO2 in the air. But Roels thinks there’s also a third factor: disruptions in the rainforest, both natural and manmade. “Lianas can link several trees together, so when one tree falls over, the connected trees often follow,” she says. Though she’s still analysing her data, she’s convinced that disruptions like logging and heavy storms favour lianas.

We measured and labelled every liana taller than two centimetres The researchers’ results will be used to develop the rainforest’s first vegetation model that takes lianas into account. Verbeeck: “That model will help us simulate the influence of lianas on the sink capacity of rainforests. Forests absorb a quarter of the annual global CO2 emissions. We want to know if that number still holds if lianas are taken into account.”

Fish farm and greenhouses combine on Anderlecht market roof ABATTOIR.BE

The new urban farm planned for the rooftop of the Foodmet food market on the site of Anderlecht’s slaughterhouse will employ the latest technology of aquaponic greenhouse farming, the site’s operators have announced. Foodmet was inaugurated in May, as an upscale addition to the traditional outdoor market under the great iron hall of the slaughterhouses. Foodmet (“met” is the Brussels dialect pronunciation of the word markt or market) is a new construction, and the rooftop was reserved for a restaurant and an urban farming project. Abattoir, the company that administers the whole site, has now reached an agreement with Build-

ing Integrated Greenhouse (BIG), a Belgian co-operative with links to aquaponics farms in Germany and food innovation experts in Switzerland. Aquaponics is the integrated combination of fish farming and the growing of plants using baths of nutrients. The system planned for Foodmet promises 30 tonnes of fish and 70 tonnes of fresh produce a year – mini tubers, micro-greens

and juvenile plants – with heat recovery, rainwater harvest and, crucially, production without the use of pesticides and antibiotics. “This is a pilot project for Europe,” explains Paul Thielemans of Abattoir. “Aquaculture already exists, but not combined with hydroculture and not on a rooftop.” The rooftop provides 1,800 square metres of greenhouse space and the same area of gardens. The space will be shared by the fish tanks and the nutrient baths. “The water in which the fish are swimming will also be partially used in the hydroculture system, because it contains quantities of fertilising materials that are perfect for growing microgreens,” explains Thielemans.

The grand plan is that the produce will be used in the restaurant, as well as being sold in the market downstairs. “We still need to find someone to run the restaurant, but it’s understood that the person doing so will use the products produced on the site,” Thielemans says. “This will be fresh fish, produced in the centre of Brussels just metres from the restaurant kitchen.” BIG will begin in February with the development of 1,500 square metres of exterior space, with the greenhouses arriving next summer. The first produce should be available in the autumn, with fish ready to be harvested by early 2017.

New implant stops sleep apnoea Some patients with sleep apnoea can be treated with a neurostimulator implant, which keeps the airway to the tongue or throat open through electrical pulses, according to researchers at Antwerp University Hospital. Sleep apnoea is a condition that causes the airways to shut down repeatedly during sleep. This can lead to waking up, heavy snoring, severe fatigue and heart problems. Current treatments, like a breathing mask and a prosthesis, don’t work for everyone. The US company Inspire Medical Systems has now developed the neurostimulator, which follows the patient’s natural breathing cycle and stimulates the tongue and throat through a small impulse during sleep, so the airways remain open.

Gates Foundation funds UAntwerp polio research Through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Microsoft founder Bill Gates is investing €3 million in research at Antwerp University to eradicate polio. Polio is no longer seen in the West, but it still causes deaths in developing countries. The vaccine is widely available, thanks to Unicef and the World Health Organisation, but there are occasional related risks. Antwerp will use the funds to start two studies using the current oral vaccine, which will form the basis for comparisons with a new vaccine. Volunteers are needed for the study. \ tinyurl.com/polio-Antwerp

Extra funds for patients with double diagnosis Federal health minister Maggie De Block is investing €4.7 million in extra support for people with a double diagnosis, meaning they have both a mental disability and a psychological disorder. Such patients often don’t find the proper care or have to wait too long for it because their situation is complex, she said. “These are very vulnerable people. It’s high time we devoted more attention to their situation.” The funding will allow an additional 72 staff to work in the country’s mental health-care networks for children and adults. Staff will be spread across specialised institutions and mobile teams that help people in their homes. \ Andy Furniere

\ Alan Hope

\ GIFT GUIDE

The Top 20 for 2015

Red Winter Punch Tea When the weather turns chilly and wet (as it does), what could be better than curling up with a nice, hot cuppa? This seasonal blend is fruity and fragrant with apple, cinnamon, ginger and cardamom – plus it’s herbal, so you can enjoy it into the evening (€6.21/100g) Buy it at: Teastation With two locations, this speciality shop carries 170 teas, helpfully colour-coded by category: black, green and white for types of tea leaves, red for rooibos and blue for herbal infusions. It also stocks a selection of teapots and other paraphernalia. Aldestraat 13, Hasselt; Ketelstraat 13, Diest, teastation.eu

Noodoll Noodoll is a whimsical and playful brand with a line of stationery and adorable cuddly toys for kids. The designs from this London-based brand range from monsters and forest friends to fruit and veg, but all of them are delightfully happy-go-lucky (€21.95) Buy it at: Wolf en Wolkje Opened by the duo behind the awardwinning interior design blog Woonblog, Wolf en Wolkje is aimed predominantly at kids and their hipster parents, filled as it is with an eclectic range of cool toys and gadgets. Hertoginstraat 2A, Antwerp, wolfenwolkje.be

The Inner Circle of Europe Young Flemish photographer Gert Verbelen visited 18 small communities across the eurozone to create this fascinating collage of the continent, where familiar images are not always found closest to home (€39.50) Buy it at: Theoria A smartly stocked, dangerously browsable bookshop, with shelves that mix international essentials with the best of Flanders. Leave time to linger in the cafe, which doubles as a comic book and vinyl store. Onze Lieve Vrouwestraat 22, Kortrijk, theoria.be

Pure tableware However you feel about Flemish cookbook scribe Pascale Naessens’ brand of healthy, low-cal cooking, it’s hard not to love her line of ceramic bowls in earthy greens and browns. A trained potter, she really did design them herself (€10.95-€65.95) Buy it at: Oil & Vinegar With nearly 20 locations across Flanders, this chain specialises in fancy olive oils and vinegars with flavours like black truffle and passion fruit. You can choose one of their endless styles of empty bottles and fill them up yourself. Other fancy-schmancy dips and spices make this a great place to put together a gift basket. Across Flanders and Brussels, oilvinegar.com

Welcome to the Flanders Today Gift Guide, your essential companion to finding the best gifts of the season for family and friends

Tomorrowland cap As you know, the Tomorrowland summer dance music festival in Boom is one of the biggest and best of its kind in the world. Revellers come from all over the globe for the event, so the official cap is not only a trendy piece of headgear, it’s the ideal gift for music and festival lovers everywhere (€35)

Senz storm umbrella Calling an umbrella storm-proof is tempting fate in Belgium, but Dutch company Senz says its aerodynamic design will stay the rightway around regardless of how gusty it gets. And it looks pretty cool, too (€54.95-€64.95) Buy it at: Hopono This bright store in Elsene is full of everyday items that have been ingeniously rethought, from kitchenware and other household wares to lunchboxes, flasks and picnic sets. Baljuwstraat 48, Brussels, hopono-shop.com

Buy it at: Tomorrowland Boutique This pop-up shop in the heart of Antwerp’s fashion district is the place to be for dance-inspired fashion and limitededition items. It’s a unique store that doubles as a celebration and history of the festival and will only be open until 3 January. Kammenstraat 43, Antwerp, boutique.tomorrowland.com

Layercake

table Made from layers of wood scraps that have been laminated together and sculpted, this occasional table is both beautiful and functional. Each piece is one-of-a-kind and handmade in Turnhout by ResourceLab (€180) Buy it at: Hendrikshuis Shop Unique. Be Unique. That’s the motto of this shop-cum-social enterprise, which employs disadvantaged workers and stocks vintage clothes, limited-edition pieces from local artists and products made from recycled materials. Minderbroederstraat 56, Hasselt, hendrikshuis.be

Retro thermos & lunchbox There’s nothing handier in these winter months than a thermos to take your warm drinks with you everywhere. Produced by Rex International, these come in various vintage designs, each one with a lid that doubles as a portable mug. There are matching tin lunchboxes, too (thermos €16.50; lunchboxes €6.50) Buy it at: Oplus Just a short walk from Oude Markt, this shop appears to have everything: You can spend hours browsing through vintage accessories and kitchen supplies, colourful leather handbags, unique costume jewellery and all kinds of gadgets and games. Joris Helleputteplein 1, Leuven, oplus-leuven.be

Love Box The GingerLove hot drink created by Antwerp’s legendary lunch bar Lombardia is a ginger tea without the tea. Aromatic spices, zesty citrus and a touch of sugar has made this powdery mix a household favourite, and now it’s available in a gift set with cute cups and saucers (€38.50) Buy it at: Lombardia

Handmade earrings Jewellery is a great gift, but how to choose the right thing? You cannot go wrong with these local designs in silver or gold, each more beautiful and unique than the next. All of them are handmade in the shop; custom designs upon request (from €25) But it at: Sofie Vanoosthuyse In perhaps the tiniest shop in Leuven, Sofie sells her works of art. She creates stunning jewellery, much of which is one-of-a-kind. She often works with customers to create exactly what they want, including wedding rings. Parijsstraat 42, Leuven, sofievanoosthuyse.be

Lombardia is an organic and fairtrade hotspot in the heart of Antwerp. A long-time restaurant of veggie eats, it’s as known for its kitschy tropical interior as its great comfort food, and also runs a small shop stocked with organic products. Lombardenvest 78, Antwerp, lombardia.be

DECEMBER 9, 2015

Mixed box of speciality coffee Het is altijd koffietijd is a phrase you commonly hear in Dutch. As it is, indeed, always time for coffee, keep your friends well supplied with this delicious variety of speciality blends (€25/box)

Ginderella Ghent city ecologist Geert Heyneman is famous among the sustainable living set for his guided walks in which he points out which plants along the roadside or in local forests are fit for eating. He makes this gin – which goes down mild and smooth – with herbs he gathers around Flanders (€30/70cl)

Buy it at: Koffie Onan In this cosy shop right in the heart of the city centre, customers are confronted with an overwhelming array of speciality coffees and teas either to take home or to sit with in a comfortable chair and enjoy with a piece of chocolate. Parijsstraat 28, Leuven, koffieonan.be

Buy it at: Paard van Troje This is the well-read Gentenaar’s first choice in bookshop, with a selective stock of new books, CDs and DVDs and a few choice bottles of wine and spirits. There is an English fiction section and English titles mixed in among the non-fiction. Settle down with your purchases in the attached coffee shop. Kouter 113, Ghent, paardvantroje.be

Cuisipro egg poachers Are your loved ones still tossing raw eggs into a pot of boiling water? Change their lives with these goodlooking little gadgets, which deliver perfect poached eggs every time. Then invite yourself over for New Year’s brunch (€19.95/pair) Buy it at: Kokino This large and bright shop that stocks all manner of designer kitchenware is a breath of fresh air amid the big-box stores lining the suburban thoroughfare between Ghent and Deinze. Lovely items of both the practical and more decorative variety. Kortrijksesteenweg 1092, Ghent, kokino.be

Keiemtaler cheese Produced by ’t Dischhof organic dairy in Keiem, West Flanders, Keiemtaler has enough holes to pass for a Swiss cheese but a distinctive creamy consistency and nutty tang. It’s a treat and a talking point for any cheese board (€22.85/kg) Buy it at: Jacques Defrenne Jacques Defrenne fills his market stall with choice cheeses and other delicious dairy products, with the accent on those made from organic and raw milk. Find him in Brussels at Flagey market each weekend and at Kasteleinsplein market on Wednesdays.

Bird bingo The holidays are a great time – and for some families, the only time – for a board game to find its way down from the shelf. Bird Bingo is a gorgeously illustrated twist on the traditional game where you learn the names and colourings of dozens of common and exotic feathered friends. (€35) Buy it at ’t Stad leest This beautiful book shop in the centre of Antwerp offers a wide selection of paper goods, gadgets and visually enticing books. If you’re looking for special editions or gloriously illustrated reading material, this is the place to be. Steenhouwersvest 16, Antwerp, facebook.com/tstadleest

Tiffany breakfast tray Breakfast in bed will no longer be a dream with this stylish solid oak serving tray. Its simple, contemporary design will appeal to anyone looking for a practical yet romantic (and sturdy) gift. A timeless classic (€39) Buy it at Habitat For the past 50 years, Habitat has brought us elegant, functional designs in furniture and accessories, with comfort its top priority. With two shops in Belgium, there’s no better place to pop in to if you love affordable yet beautifully crafted interior titbits. Stadsfeestzaal, Meir 78, Antwerp; Woluwe Shopping Centre, Brussels, habitat.be

Gone Rural placemats Colourful and sophisticated, these sturdy placemats with matching coasters are hand woven by a co-operative of more than 700 women in rural Swaziland. Three colour patterns available (€50/set of six) Buy it at: KuDu Home Brussels expat Thandi Mbali Renaldi is of British/ South African descent and sources every product available in her online shop of gorgeous kitchen and homeware direct from Africa. She targets hand-made products from fair-trade, co-operative producers. kuduhome.com

Ammonites The true beauty of ammonites is only revealed when they are cut in half. Inside each fossilised shellfish is an intricate swirl of chambers, full of crystal colours. And that's 160,000,000 years in your hands (€6 for two halves) Buy it at: Steen en Been Find beauty and beasties in this fascinating store, from fossils for dinosaur-mad kids to mounted butterflies for design-conscious adults. There are also insects, shells, minerals, skeletons and all sorts of other curios. Volkstraat 59, Antwerp, steenenbeen.be

Sweets It’s not just about chocolate: Flanders has many of its own traditional sweets, like kussentjes (named after their resemblance to pillows), fruitsnoep (sporting little pictures of the fruit in question) and cuberdons (oozing purple syrup with every bite) Buy it at: Zucchero Stuff their stockings with sweets from this bright pink shop in Bruges, which makes you feel like a kid again. Tables are loaded with packs of sweets, tins line the walls. You can watch the owners hand chop sweet sticks and choose from an endless array of lollies. Holiday cheer guaranteed. OLV Kerkhof-Zuid 18 or Philipstockstraat 24, Bruges, confiserie-zucchero.be

Owlcraft bike jacket Fed up with ugly, shapeless high-viz cycling jackets? Owlcraft vests – designed and made in Belgium – combine snazzy reflective outers with stylish linings and tie at the front for ease of use (€55) Buy it at: Bel’Arte Tucked away in Brussels’ Dansaert district, this temple to Belgian creativity is packed with jewellery and accessories, with a smattering of notebooks, cards, candles and lamps for good measure. Vlaamsesteenweg 53, Brussels, bel-arte.be

This Gift Guide has been brought to you by Rebecca Benoot, Lisa Bradshaw, Samantha Clark, Diana Goodwin and Ian Mundell

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DECEMBER 9, 2015

Tower of babel

week in education Gender views affect pupils’ progress

Flemish expert argues for an official recognition of English Tom Peeters More articles by Tom \ flanderstoday.eu

rank van Splunder, a longtime teacher of academic English at Antwerp University (UAntwerp), has released a new book that explores the significance of languages, how they develop and how they can fall into disuse. Van Splunder lives in Ghent, a city where most stores on the main shopping street had French names during the 1970s, including the main department store, À l’Innovation. “Now, French has disappeared, and 55% of the shops have an English or an English-sounding name,” says van Splunder, who recently made his way through the Veldstraat, notebook in hand. Today, À l’Innovation is called Galeria Inno Department Store. “The more neutral abbreviation ‘Inno’

was put between the Italian ‘Galeria’ – to give the name a fashionable touch – and the American ‘Department Store’, which emphasises the growing economic power of the US after the Second World War. It was then that society strengthened, without actually imposing, English as a global language.” In his new book Taalstrijd (Language Wars), van Splunder also mentions the English-only movement, a US group that advocates for the use of only English in the country’s official government documents. “But this group of right-wing neocons, which feels threatened by the rise of the Spanish language in

According to linguist Frank Van Splunder, English has become a bargaining chip to attract foreign professors and students

the US and aims for the recognition of English as an official language, is marginal,” says van Splunder, who works at UAntwerp’s Linguapolis Institute for Language and Communication. Theirs is a curious ambition, since after reading van Splunder’s book, it becomes evident that it can be pretty counterproductive to impose a language. “The present situation is as different as day and night from the one in Europe during the 19th century, when new nations like France and Germany needed a flag, a currency, an army and a language to create an identity.” According to van Splunder, languages don’t really exist. They are all dialects, and the ones backed by a powerful economic, cultural and political system become languages. “The fact that we speak Dutch and not ‘Flemish’ is a political decision. Geographically, one dialect/language slowly moves into another,” he says. “Travelling from Western Europe to Asia, you would still be able to understand the locals by adapting your language bit by bit.” The pragmatic American perspec-

tive, which sees a language as instrumental and does not want to impose a particular identity, is rooted in that country’s historical role as a trading nation. “The striking irony is that to become the leading global language, English didn’t need the support of the British or American government,” van Splunder observes. “You think a Brexit would mean the end of English in Europe? Of course not!” The rise of English as a global language coincided with another evolution: the decline of a standard language. As a teacher, van Splunder witnesses on a daily basis how linguistic communities around the world have developed their own version of English. “The English spoken by my students from India, Pakistan or Bangladesh – countries where English has a prominent role in education – is simply not understood internationally.” Yet van Splunder is not against Indian or other regional varieties of English and argues that they can be useful within a national context. “English succeeded in what Esperanto never did: It became the language of a global community of

non-native speakers,” he says. “Still, not all varieties of English are equal. Some have even suggested recognising Dutch-English as a separate variety. It’s a controversial stand, but it does illustrate that the English of native speakers is not the only standard anymore.” Van Splunder is not a linguistic romantic who wishes to keep every possible language or dialect alive. But he is dismayed that the current pleas for multilingualism from university administrators ironically often result in more English. “It is hypocritical that universities talk about the quality of education without mentioning the quality of the teaching language. English has become a product to attract foreign teachers and students.” Instead, the Antwerp professor argues for a broader understanding of multilingualism, with English as a second language and sufficient room for other traditional European languages. He also hopes his book will serve as a mind-opening read for politicians and will help them to step out of their ideological boxes. “These days, a lot of Belgians are bilingual: Flemings speak better English than they do French, and francophones speak better English than they do Dutch,” he says. “So why don’t communities accept that it can be better to speak the more neutral English with each other, as we already do in an academic context?” It would make a lot of sense, van Splunder concludes, “to recognise English as an extra official language in Belgium. Look at Brussels: It is multilingual, but at the same time it holds onto a 19th-century frame of reference.” Taalstrijd is published in Dutch by ASP

Q&A

vlerick.com

Katleen De Stobbeleir, associate professor at Vlerick Business School, explains why the institution, with campuses in Ghent, Brussels and Leuven, has introduced a new grant for aspiring female executives What is the Female Leadership Grant? Women can apply for the Female Leadership Grant to get a 25% discount for the 18-month Executive MBA programme. We’ve discovered that obtaining company funding to cover the cost of the programme is a bigger issue for women than for men. Also, workplaces are more likely to pay for men who want to pursue training development. It’s not really conscious discrimination from employers, but we see that this is the reality, and we believe that by alleviating some of the financial burden, it will encourage women to participate.

Why did Vlerick decide to focus on women in particular? Because we strongly value diversity. We see that it leads to more innovation. One of the ways that we can broaden our thinking is to address gender diversity. Women are not a minority, but there are few women in top management positions. We also see that in our Executive MBA programmes, there was an underrepresentation of women as well. Why are women underrepresented in MBA programmes? For men, the road is often straightforward. Their supervisors suggest an Executive MBA to them or they

decide to do it, and then do. For women, it’s completely different. They often have discussions with family, their supervisor and take into account their work environment; it’s a bumpier road. An Executive MBA is a big step in really moving to upper management positions. What can participants hope to learn? Participants learn soft skills, such as people management, and also hard skills such as business and finance. We also want to make sure there is a gender balance in our programmes because we believe it will benefit everyone.

There is value in having a diverse classroom; it can make the participants more attuned to gender issues. In this sense, we have an important societal role to fulfil. \ Interview by Vanessa Rombaut

According to a study by the universities of Leuven, Ghent and Brussels (VUB), pupils feel less comfortable at schools with a conservative view of gender roles. These outlooks give both heterosexual and gay boys and girls the feeling that they can’t be themselves, which leads to worse academic performances. The researchers spent four years studying about 6,000 students and 1,000 teachers in the first year of about 50 secondary schools. They found that conservative views on gender had the biggest effect on boys, and that girls also feel uncomfortable if they are pressured to behave in a very stereotypically girlish way.

More students speak Dutch as second language The number of students in schools in Flanders who don’t speak Dutch at home is rising, according to the education ministry. In the academic year 201415, just over 15% of pupils in primary and secondary schools didn’t speak Dutch at home, compared to 11.5% in 2010-2011. The figures were requested by Flemish MP Vera Celis (N-VA). In primary school, one in six pupils doesn’t speak Dutch at home. In secondary education, the figure is one in eight. Flemish Brabant has the highest percentage of foreign speakers at 20.7% of students, with Antwerp province second at nearly 18%.

€2.3m for internet education for sick pupils Flanders’ education minister, Hilde Crevits, has allocated a subsidy of €2,339,000 to the non-profit organisation Bednet, doubling its current budget. Bednet provides sick children and teenage mothers the opportunity to follow classes online, so they can interact with teachers and fellow students in the classroom. Bednet recently started trial projects specifically for five-year-olds because children at that age quickly accumulate a significant learning deficit if they are too sick to follow lessons. Illness also has a strong influence on their emotional development. The projects are meant to ascertain how Bednet tools can be used to help this target group to make a smooth transition to the first year of primary school. \ Andy Furniere

\ 11

Best of Belgium plus expat Directory 2015

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\ ARTS

DECEMBER 9, 2015

week in activities Winter Time in Leuven Much more than a Christmas market, Leuven’s seasonal event includes storytelling walks, a circus arts festival, beer tasting, chamber music and more. This Saturday, see the Grand Begijnhof illuminated by candlelight. Until 9 January, across Leuven, fee for some activities \ wintertijdinleuven.be

One Big Family More than 50 organisations related to refugees come together to tell their stories through panels, presentations, creative workshops and performances. 12-13 December, 12.00-18.00, Alden-Biesen Castle, Kasteelstraat 6, Bilzen, free \ alden-biesen.be

Winter Wonder Castle Gravensteen Castle is transformed into a wintery wonderland with greenery, lights and decorations. Drink spiced wine, hang a wish on the wish tree and join in the activities. Until 4 January, Gravensteen, SintVeerleplein 11, Ghent, free with castle admission (€10) \ gravensteen.stad.gent

Last Post Christmas Walk Annual holiday walk through Ypres, with a choice of 6, 8 or 10km routes. Every route includes the Menin Gate as well as the main city sights and Christmas market. 12 December, 14.00-20.00, De Fenix, Leopold III-laan 16, Ypres, €1.50 \ nooitmoe.be

Fiery Winter Night Take an evening walk through the park and enjoy atmospheric lighting and surprises along the way. At the end, you’ll find music, food and drink. Reservations required via vrijbroekpark@provincieantwerpen.be or 015 45 13 80. 11 December, 19.00, Vrijbroekpark, Ridder Dessainlaan 65, Antwerp, free

\ provincieantwerpen.be

Midwinter Festival A seasonal favourite for locals and visitors alike, this family-friendly neighbourhood festival features handicrafts, food and drink, plus demos and workshops in the Lace Centre and Adornes Museum. 13 December, 11.00-18.00, Balstraat, Bruges, free \ bezoekers.brugge.be

Jolly good fellows

Talbot House marks 100th birthday with series of festive events Diana Goodwin More articles by Diana \ flanderstoday.eu

talbothouse.be

he name of Talbot House is familiar to students of the First World War and anyone who’s explored the legacy of the Great War in West Flanders. Founded in December 1915 as a social club for Allied soldiers, this modest Poperinge house became a legendary oasis of rest and respite for fighting men on their way to, or returning from, the front lines. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of Talbot House, a centenary that will be celebrated with a series of birthday events at the venerable institution, now a museum and bed and breakfast. The festivities begin with a private reception on 11 December, 100 years to the day after Talbot House first opened. The party continues throughout the week with events that are open to the public. A new documentary about the founder of Talbot House, Philip “Tubby” Clayton, will premiere on 12 December, which also happens to be the birthday of the British army chaplain. In the film, the last surviving veterans who knew Clayton share their stories of him and of Talbot House. The film will become a permanent part of the exhibition after the celebrations. In the evening, a special commemorative concert will be held in a heated tent in the garden. The museum will unveil some new features for visitors during the anniversary week. On 13 December, a new interactive tour, which visitors follow using a tablet computer, will be unveiled and will replace the current Story Tablet tour. The next day, a kiosk with a searchable electronic “guestbook” will be made available for the first time. Visitors will be able to search for the names of relatives who might have visited Talbot House

A statue of Tubby Clayton greets visitors at Talbot House in Poperinge

during the First World War. Also on the 13th, the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres will include a special wreath-laying in honour of Talbot House. And on 14 December, 100 years after the first breakfast at Talbot House, a British brunch will be served along with live period music and war re-enactors in uniform. Throughout the week, a temporary pop-up store will be open in the Middle Room, selling souvenirs and a Talbot House rose, a specially cultivated variety resembling the iconic red poppy, the symbol of the Great War. Proceeds from the sale of the rose will benefit Talbot House.

The celebration week closes with a historic Round Robin ceremony. The genesis of this event goes back to 15 December, 1921, when grateful veterans held another birthday party for Talbot House. At that time, all those present signed an elaborate document called a “Round Robin”, with the express intent of having the text read aloud at the centenary celebrations. At 11.00 on 15 December, a ceremony and Church of England service will be held in the Talbot House chapel, with a live video connection to All-Hallows-by-the-

11-16 December

Tower chapel in London. After the service, the 1921 document will be read aloud, followed by simultaneous signing of a new Round Robin in both Poperinge and London. A website where people can sign digitally will also be live for 24 hours. Following the birthday celebrations, Talbot House will host a series of concerts as part of the Gone West Piano Festival. Gone West is an ongoing cultural festival organised by the province of West Flanders to commemorate the centenary of the Great War.

Talbot House

Gasthuisstraat 43, Poperinge

BITE Hasselt jumps aboard gin craze with homegrown recipe Hasselt, home of the Jenever Museum and the annual Jenever Festival, has long been the unofficial jenever capital of Belgium. So it should come as no surprise that the city, along with everyone else in Flanders, has joined in the current gin craze. Gin is the British version of the juniperflavoured spirit poached from the Dutch – jenever. Not only has Hasselt seen the opening of the second location of the Antwerp-born Gin & Tonic Shop, but the city centre currently hosts a pop-up gin bar called Gin & Jazz. And now the city has introduced its very own gin. Hasselt Gin is produced by Distillery Massy, the oldest operating distillery in Limburg ( founded 1905). JCI Hasselt, a group of young entrepreneurs and professionals, approached Massy with the idea and worked with the company to create a new gin. The result is a crisp, aromatic spirit flavoured

with juniper and rowan berries, coriander, ginger and lime. I recently sat down with Dirk Ooms, chair of JCI Hasselt, to taste his creation. The bartender brought our drinks in a large, round long-stemmed glass, much like a wine glass. The recommended way to enjoy Hasselt Gin is with plain tonic water (the makers suggest

hasseltgin.be

Fevertree Indian Tonic), three juniper berries and a twist of lime, over ice. The bartender delivered our cocktails with the ice, gin, juniper berries and lime slice already assembled, then poured half a bottle of tonic into each glass. The presentation is certainly part of the pleasure of enjoying the drink, which was citrusy, herbal and lightly sweet. The perfect aperitif. JCI Hasselt developed Hasselt Gin as a fundraiser for their organisation, to help finance a trip to the JCI International Congress in Finland next year. The first batch of 250 bottles sold out within a week, and a second batch is in production. Hasselt Gin is only available at a few retailers and restaurants in Hasselt and Zonhoven, but if its reception so far is any indication, it will soon find its way to other outlets. Orders can also be placed via the website for pick-up. \ DG

\ 13

\ ARTS

week in arts & CULTURE Boesmans, Dujardin inducted into French order of Arts

Flemish composer Philippe Boesmans has been named a Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French ministry of culture – the highest level in the organisation. At the same time, his long-time collaborator, Paul Dujardin, artistic director of the Centre for Fine Arts (Bozar) in Brussels, has been named a Knight in the order. The pair founded the Ars Musica festival, and Brussels-born Dujardin was its co-ordinator until 1993. He has since been director of the Philharmonic Association of Brussels and of the National Orchestra of Belgium. He took up his post with Bozar in 2002 and is credited with turning it into a more modern, active and multidisciplinary cultural centre. Tongeren-born Boesmans studied piano and taught himself to compose. He produced his first opera in 1983 and has since been closely associated with the De Munt opera house.

D’Ardennen to get American remake The film D’Ardennen by Flemish director Robin Pront, playing now in cinemas across Flanders and Brussels, will get a US release next year. An American remake is also planned for the future, according to the Flemish Audiovisual Fund, which helped finance the film. Since its world premiere at the Toronto film festival in September, the film has been seen by 140,000 cinemagoers. It opens in France in March, followed by the UK, Sweden, Poland and the Netherlands.

Umberto Eco to curate Leuven exhibition Italian author and academic Umberto Eco, well known for his best-selling historical novels such as The Name of the Rose and The Prague Cemetery, is curating an exhibition at the University of Leuven, to open at the end of 2016. The exhibition marks the 500th anniversary of the book Utopia by Sir Thomas More, who wrote it during an extensive visit to Flanders. The book was published in Leuven in 1516. More was the Lord Chancellor of Henry VIII of England, who clashed with the king and was eventually executed. Utopia described the perfect world; the term soon entered the language to mean something ideal but unattainable. The exhibition is part of a larger festival celebrating the anniversary.

\ 14

Let’s dance Flemish theatre director Ivo van Hove produces musical with David Bowie Tom Peeters More articles by Tom \ flanderstoday.eu

nytw.org

fter three weeks of previews, it’s finally opening week for Lazarus at New York Theatre Workshop. The highly anticipated collaboration between acclaimed Flemish theatre and opera director Ivo van Hove and David Bowie – who co-wrote the music with Irish playwright Enda Walsh – includes both reworked songs from the British rock icon’s discography as well as brand new music. Lazarus is based on the 1970s cult film The Man Who Fell to Earth, which starred Bowie as an alien in search of water for his drought-ridden planet. The musical production, which stars Michael C Hall of Dexter fame, marks a new chapter in van Hove’s relationship with New York. He is already celebrated there for his adaptation of Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge, also currently running on Broadway. Lazarus takes his cross-disciplinary focus and collaborative work with musicians and writers to new heights. Van Hove’s preference for multigenre productions goes back to when he was at the helm of the Holland Festival for performing arts in the Netherlands between 1998 and 2004. “At first, I met a lot of resistance, especially from musicians. They just wouldn’t accept that an electric guitar could be as valuable as a viola.” He remembers opening his first

“I paid the consequences of being a pioneer”: Lazarus director Ivo van Hove

edition as festival director with a rock concert and being ridiculed by the press afterwards. “I paid the consequences of being a pioneer,” he says. In 2001, van Hove was appointed general director of the prestigious Toneelgroup Amsterdam, the largest theatre company in the Netherlands, a job he still holds today. It was the beginning of his international career, one in which music would continue to play a prominent role. Look no further than Song from Far Away, a monologue he recently directed in which a song by Marc Eitzel, the former frontman of indie rock band American Music Club, echoes like a mantra. Eitzel wrote the song for the musical and remained involved throughout the process. Even

though Lazarus is a much bigger production, it represents a similar collaborative effort between actors, musicians and writers, says van Hove. He particularly likes the new generation of writers, he says, “because they don’t offer a ready-made script but instead discuss the work with the team. When I entered the collaboration with Bowie, there was only one draft; now we are discussing draft number five. As a result, my impact on the production was much larger than expected.” Of course, it helps when your heroes voice their approval. “After the first walkthrough of Lazarus,” recalls van Hove, “Bowie came over to me and asked: ‘Can you be the director on my next big world tour?’” Van Hove, a big fan of Bowie, saw

the British music icon perform in The Elephant Man on Broadway back in 1981. Their collaboration, it seems, was written in the stars. Bowie and Walsh approached van Hove last spring in their search for an edgier director. Many of Bowie’s decades of hits are featured in Lazarus. The musical’s songs were chosen by Walsh, the Irish writer who surprised audiences with his 2001 film Disco Pigs and his script for Hunger, Steve McQueen’s drama about the 1981 IRA hunger strikes. “One of my favourite movies of the past decade,” says van Hove. The new musical, the Flemish director says, is rather special. “Lazarus is not a crowdpleaser, though I tried to make the translation to the stage as clear as possible. The Bowie songs are exquisitely placed into the drama, so they match with the preceding and the scenes.” According to van Hove, the singer, who is set to release a new studio album in January, was so inspired by the collaboration, he started to write one new song after the other for the musical. “It was such a gift – not only being the first to hear these songs but also to stage them,” he says. At the same time, staging legendary Bowie songs “is a bit scary. Everyone knows Bowie songs as they’re sung by Bowie. Here, they are arranged for the stage and sung by actors.”

Artists explore how Brussels couples inhabit their spaces kaaitheater.be

Artists Hans Demeulenaere and Emi Kodama decided to collaborate after appearing in a group exhibition in Brussels last year. But they really got to know each other by visiting other people’s apartments. “We visited quite a few people living here in Brussels and talked to them about how they inhabit their space,” explains Kodama, a Canadian who now lives in Ghent. After each visit, they compared notes. “Through conversations about what we noticed – and didn’t notice – I learned how Hans looks at the world around him.” Demeulenaere, a Flemish artist who lives and works in Bruges, is interested in how ideas about sculpture, architecture and furniture intersect. Kodama, meanwhile, explores the experience of everyday life through video, photography, writing and performance. “Emi listened more to people’s

stories,” Demeulenaere says of the visits, “and I looked more at how the spaces were organised.” Together they have conceived a series of performances and installations that explore how living spaces shape relationships. Called You make a better door than you do a window: a collection of rooms, the first performances are at Kaaistudio’s in Brussels this weekend. Demeulenaere is responsible for the set. In addition to real domestic spaces, he was inspired by notions of ideal shapes in the work of artists such as Sol LeWitt and Donald Judd, and the architect Le Corbusier. The cubes that populate the performance space function as abstracts of furniture: not specific tables and chairs, but something changeable that leaves space for the audience’s imagination. Within this mutable environment, Kodama tells a story. “It’s about two people who live in a house,

Hans Demeulenaere and Emi Kodama paid a series of visits to people’s homes in Brussels

and how the architecture of it defines the way they communicate and relate to each other.” For instance, a cough or a phone call in one room can be heard in another. And the light switches are arranged so logically that there is no chance the pair will ever meet in darkness.

11-12 December

As Kodama tells the story, another performer rearranges the furniture. “Her role is something like a puppeteer,” she says. “The space forms and transforms around me as she changes the position of things.” Over the course of half an hour, the two characters move through the house, and through a year. Seasons change, and small events bring out patterns of light and dark, seeing and not seeing, inside and out. The limits of intimacy are mapped. You make a better door is part of Working Title Situation, a twiceyearly event that explores hybrid and alternative approaches to performance and installation art. Further instalments of You make a better door take place in February at Beursschouwburg in Brussels and Extra City in Antwerp. \ Ian Mundell

Kaaistudio’s

OLV van Vaakstraat 81, Brussels

\ AGENDA

DECEMBER 9, 2015

A man of letters

CONCERT

Die Buchstaben Until 31 January

Leuven The Wailers: The band made famous by the late Bob Marley in 1969 still know how to rock your reggae socks off with classics like “Lively Up Yourself ” and “Trenchtown Rock”. 12 December 20.00, Het Depot, Martelarenplein 12

Raamtheatre, Antwerp,

tinyurl.com/Die-Buchstaben

or the next few months the former Raamtheatre in Antwerp is home to “Die Buchstaben” (“The Letters”), a striking installation by the veteran German artist Anselm Kiefer. At its centre is a rusting mechanical printing press, out of which sprout giant dried sunflowers. Their stalks arc high in the air, or bend to bring the flower heads close to ground level. On the floor, dropped like seeds, lie wooden blocks of type and tiny pieces of lead, both artefacts of obsolete printing methods. Also obsolete are the reels of film, remade in lead, that spool out from the press. When first presented in 2012, “Die Buchstaben” consisted of this printing press and two typesetting machines, their flowers signalling to each other across a big hall at Berlin’s Martin-Gropius-Bau. In Antwerp, the press is alone, confined in the narrow light well of the theatre, overlooked by ornate wrought iron galleries. At each end of the space hang vast sheets of lead, printed with photographs of enigmatic buildings, washed with paint and corroding liquids. This atmospheric setting adds to the mystery of the piece. It’s like stumbling upon the traces of a lost civilisation, which in a world of digital communication may not be so far from the truth. \ Ian Mundell

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CLASSICAL Brussels Prokofiev Festival: The National Orchestra of Belgium perform Sergey Prokofiev’s concertos, including Overture on Hebrew Themes and Romeo and Juliet, directed by Andrey Boreyko and featuring Julia Fischer on violin. 13 December 15.00, Bozar, Ravensteinstraat 23

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CONCERT

FAMILY

Captain Cheese-Beard

Hänsel und Gretel

17 December, 21.00

Soul Inn, Brussels facebook.com/soulinnbrussels

Antwerp Bozar, Brussels

15-22 December

demunt.be

Hansel and Gretel is one of the best-loved folk tales archived by the Brothers Grimm in the 19th century. Everyone knows the story: The eponymous siblings are abandoned in the forest, abducted by a witch and manage to escape through cunning. German Romantic composer Engelbert Humperdinck brought the fairy tale to

The original rock-and-roll surrealist, Frank Zappa has inspired countless musicians to freak out and explore the wackier, more theatrical side of pop music. Brussels-based guitarist Johan De Coninck is one of them. In 2006, he formed a Zappa tribute band and named it (in true Zappa style) Captain Cheese-Beard. As the group grew in numbers and confidence, they evolved into a vehicle for De Coninck’s own left-field compositions, all the while remaining faithful to the tradition. The Captain’s debut album, Symphony for Auto Horns, is out now. Expect plenty of musical precocity and lyrical non-sequiturs. \ Georgio

PERFORMANCE

the stage with an 1893 opera that combined Central European folk song and sweeping orchestration inspired by Richard Wagner. This multimedia adaptation is the fruit of a collaboration between Bozar, De Munt and Chicago-based puppet theatre Manual Cinema. (In German with Dutch and French subtitles) \ GV

VISUAL ARTS Brussels

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VISUAL ARTS

CONCERT

From Navel to Cosmos

Adele

Since the earliest cave paintings, art has concerned itself with humankind’s place in the universe. But, although we’ve been asking the same basic question for thousands of years, the answers given vary widely depending on historical and cultural circumstances. This exhibition focuses on a particular place (Europe) at a certain historical moment (the 20th century). It was in many ways a pivotal moment. The advent of Freudian psychoanalysis and modern art changed the way Europeans viewed their relationship with themselves and the world. Dozens of artists are featured, including Swiss painter Adolf Wölfli and Czech artist Zdeneˇk Košek. \ GV

\ facebook.com/standupantwerp

Marie-Francoise Plissart: Aqua Arbor: Two collections of works by the Brussels photographer, shown for the first time, from vast seascapes to urban photographs, including those of Brussels seen from the rooftops. Until 31 January, Botanique, Koningsstraat 236

Valentino

Until 24 January

Stand-Up Antwerp: Englishlanguage Comedy Cellar featuring comedians Paul B Edwards, Alistair Barrie, Matt Welcome and resident MC Nigel Williams, plus a few Christmas surprises. 16 December 19.30, De Groene Waterman Bookstore, Wolstraat 7

Art & Marges, Brussels artetmarges.be

get tic

12-13 June, 20.00 In the space of one year, between 2006 and 2007, British soul singer Adele went from unknown teenage hopeful to household name. By age 20, she was a multiple Grammy Award winner. Her first two albums have sold tens of millions, thanks to hits like “Rolling in the Deep” and “Someone Like You”. Her success

kets n ow

Sportpaleis, Antwerp sportpaleis.be

was crowned by that rare honour: an invitation to sing a James Bond theme (“Skyfall”). After a threeyear hiatus, she returns with a third album, 25. The disc has already smashed sales records on both sides of the Atlantic. Naturally Adele’s European tour promises to be a sold-out affair. \ GV

FAMILY Brussels Flagey Family Concert: The life of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky told via theatre, music and dance, allowing children to discover the beauty of the Russian composer’s music (in Dutch). 12 December 11.00, Flagey, Heilig Sint-Kruisplein \ flagey.be

MARKET Ghent Kerstmarkt For Life: Smallscale Christmas market within the walls of the Old Great Begijnhof of Saint-Elisabeth, with stalls selling gifts, food and drink for charity. 13 December 13.00-20.00, Onafhankelijk Leven, Groot Begijnhof 31 \ onafhankelijkleven.be

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\ BACKPAGE

DECEMBER 9, 2015

Talking Dutch Will sneaky software beat the fish fiddle? Derek Blyth More articles by Derek \ flanderstoday.eu

WOORDVANHETJAAR.VANDALE.BE

very year around this time, the people at Dutch dictionary publisher Van Dale announce a competition to choose the official Woord van het Jaar – Word of the Year. The Dutch get their own Word of the Year competition, but most of their winning words are different from Flanders’. Last year, they came up with Dagobertducktaks: een speciale belasting geheven over het vermogen van superrijke mensen – a special tax levied on the assets of the super-rich. This only really makes sense to those who know that Dagobert Duck is the Dutch name for the filthy rich cartoon character Scrooge McDuck. Now excitement is growing once again in the corridors of Van Dale. De stemlokalen om het nieuwste ‘Woord van het Jaar’ te verkiezen, zijn geopend – The polling stations are open to select the latest Word of the Year. Van Dale heeft tien woorden uit 2015 genomineerd – Van Dale has selected 10 words from 2015, die kans maken om het officiële ‘Woord van het Jaar’ te worden – which are in the running to become the official Word of the Year. The words give you an idea of the events that have shaped the previous 12 months. We have the current coalition government to thank for kibbelkabinet: een regering waarvan de coalitiepartners onderling ruziemaken – a government where the coalition partners squabble among themselves. Then there are trendy words linked to new technology, like dronie: een met een drone gemaakte selfie – a selfie taken using a drone. And we have to thank the sneaky software team at Volkswagen for inspiring the new word sjoemelsoftware: software om de testresultaten van een apparaat posi-

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tief te beinvloeden – software designed to influence a device’s test results. That’s not the only case of sjoemelen – cheating, in 2015. It emerged a few months ago that Brussels restaurants were tricking customers by serving cheaper types of fish, leading to the new word sjoemelvis: goedkope vis die frauduleus in plaats van duurdere vis wordt geserveerd in restaurants – cheap fish fraudulently served in restaurants to replace more expensive fish. Oh, and let’s not forget that worrying new word scheurtjescentrale: een kerncentrale met microscheurtjes in de reactorwand – a nuclear power station with microscopic cracks in the reactor wall. If you think that sounds scary, you obviously haven’t been to the beach recently. Thanks to marauding seagulls at the coast, Van Dale has added the word meeuwenpatrouille: een team dat door meeuwen veroorzaakte overlast moet beperken – a team that tackles the nuisance caused by seagulls. So, which will it be? I would like to propose sjoemelvis, because fishy fraud reflects a global trend ( fraud) with a Belgian twist ( food). You have until 14 December to vote. And no sjoemelen, please.

Tweet us your thoughts @FlandersToday

In response to: KU Leuven mathematicians: Both sides wrong in Russian plane shooting Peter O'Reilly: Fascinating real world application of maths.

In response to: Facebook closes content to Belgian users without accounts Rod M Adams: Belgium has the guts to stand up against this and I am proud that we did.

Joris Depouillon @JorisDepouillon Hitchhiking to Oostende for Belgium’s biggest #climate march. #wearemarching

judy murray @judmoo Lost in translation. Ghent cafe. Me: do u have cake? Belgian waiter : yes we have cake. Orange. Like rabbits eat. Me : ah Carrot cake.

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the last word

Has your behaviour changed since the terrorist threat levels were raised to 4 in Brussels and 3 in the rest of the country after the Paris attacks? a. No, I go about my business as before. We can’t be controlled by fear of terrorism

50% b. A bit. I’m slightly more vigilant in public places

42% c. Yes, I’m steering clear of Brussels’ metro and major events until I’m sure it’s safe again

8% completely over the shock of the Brussels lockdown that saw most major institutions in the capital shut down, dozens of house searches take place and a manhunt for one of the suspects in the Paris terrorist attacks. Although there were no incidents, many of you are being extra careful these days.

The other half have put it behind you and are carrying on as usual. It’s an attitude that has pervaded Brussels over the past few weeks, as cat photos will attest. It might seem naïve to the other half, but Belgians’ coping skills have been honed over the decades to face absurdity head-on.

\ Next week's question: The government of Flanders has approved all permits for the Uplace shopping and leisure centre, despite widespread opposition. What do you think? Log on to the Flanders Today website at www.flanderstoday.eu and click on VOTE!

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In response to: Bourgeois encourages employers to tap immigrant labour market Orville Macdougall: Encouraging employees is the best thing to make the employee do work more properly.

In response to: Umberto Eco to curate Leuven exhibition on Thomas More Peter O’Reilly: That is a great literary development for KU Leuven

Poll

The terror alert level in Brussels is back to 3, the metros are running, and the Christmas market is open, so business as usual, right? Well, not exactly. Armed military patrols are guarding those glühwein stands, and those of you taking the Thalys will have noticed an unusually long wait. Half of you, it seems, are not

VoiceS of flanders today

Some delays expected Drinks are on Bob “We assume this is the work of a prankster.” The Flemish traffic centre responded to news of a GPS that warned a driver near Aalst of police chases and air-strikes ahead

Delusions of middle management “All of a sudden I thought I was working for Club Brugge, a delusion caused by a psychological problem I was suffering. I convinced myself I was their food and beverage manager.” PK, 24 is on trial in Oudenaarde for defrauding four young women he “employed” at €4,000 a month but failed to pay

“These are the worst results in four years. The Flemish motorist is stubborn. And the worst pupil of the class.” East Flanders governor Jan Briers has joined with his provincial counterparts to call for zero tolerance for drink driving, as a recent campaign revealed 5% of drivers checked were over the limit

Room for one more “Normally we work with Make a Wish, but if it’s urgent, we do what we can to find a speedier solution. And we found one, just over the border, this coming Saturday.” Four-year-old Tess Van de Pol has terminal leukaemia and wanted to attend a K3 concert, but they’re sold out. So Studio 100 stepped in, manager Ann Janssens explained

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