2_4_DiscoverBenelux_13_Januar_2014_MADS_Scan Magazine 1 17/12/2014 15:20 Page 4

Discover Benelux |  Editor’s Note

Dear Reader,

Discover Benelux

Silvia de Vries

Issue 13, January 2015

Simon Woolcot

Published 01.2015 ISSN 2054-7218

Steve Flinders  Stine Wannebo Stuart Forster

Published by Cover Photo

Scan Group

Jack Guy Design & Print Liquid Graphic Ltd.

Advertising info@discoverbenelux.com

Executive Editor Thomas Winther

Sales & Key Account Managers Mette Tonnesen

Creative Director

Yasmina Haddadi

Mads E. Petersen

Raphaël Pousse Maxence Pruvost

Editor Myriam Gwynned Dijck

Steven Ebbers Publisher:

Copy Editor

Scan Group

Mark Rogers

15B Bell Yard Mews Bermondsey Street

Contributors André Gussekloo

London SE1 3TY

Anna Parkin

United Kingdom

Anouk Kalmes

Phone +44 (0)870 933 0423 Fax +44 (0)870 933 0421 Email: info@discoverbenelux.com

Ariane Glover  Berthe van dan Hurk Bettina Guirkinger Cathy van Klaveren

www.discoverbenelux.com

Emmie Collinge Harun Osmanovic Janine Sterenborg Josiah Fisk

January is a time of looking forward, so here I would like to give a peek at wonderful things to come in Discover Benelux this year. This winter, we will delve into the Walloon town of Mons, crowned European Capital of Culture 2015. Once a quiet place nearby the Belgian border with France, it has transformed into a bustling city hosting 300 events and opening several new museums this year, set to attract visitors from all over the world. Moving on to spring, we will offer you a colourful glimpse into the world of Dutch tulips that has a much more moving history than one might expect from such a humble flower. This summer the event no one can circumnavigate is the Tour de France, with its Grand Départ in Utrecht. Moving south through the Dutch province of Zeeland and the Belgian cities of Antwerp, Seraing and Huy, the cyclists will see some of the Benelux’s best sights. Not long after that, our magazine will be dedicated to Vincent van Gogh, celebrating the life of this magnificent painter who died exactly 125 years ago this July. With big exhibitions all over the region, even the Keukenhof will arrange their tulips in an ode to Van Gogh. Next, we will look at the rich life of a little character who is turning 60 this year, Miffy. The Dutch children’s favourite bunny will celebrate her birthday in style with a new, dedicated exhibition and a completely refurbished Dick Bruna House opening at the end of the year. Then finally, let’s return to our current issue, starring the fabulous Famke Janssen (see page 20). I could not have hoped for a better star to open 2015. With her impressive career spanning three decades in America, there is little sign of her slowing down. This year she will even act for the first time in a Dutch movie. I guess even after years in Hollywood, the Benelux still holds enough interesting tales that are worth returning for. Let’s hope 2015 will be the start of another captivating story for all of us.

Martin Pilkington Matt Antoniak Philip Gale

Myriam Gwynned Dijck, Editor © All rights reserved. Material contained in this publication may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without prior permission of Scan Group – a trading name of Scan Magazine Ltd. This magazine contains advertorials/promotional articles.

4 |  Issue 13 |  January 2015