2_3_DiscoverBenelux_Issue14_January2015_Scan Magazine 1 26/01/2015 19:19 Page 61
Discover Benelux | Culture | Out & About
fifty years, a major exhibition of Renaissance portraits will appear in Brussels Museum. These pieces were made when the art of portrait painting blossomed in an extraordinary way, a time when religious conflict and scientific discoveries inspired a quest for the realistic portrayal of the human face. The paintings are from Antwerp, Bruges, Brussels, Amsterdam, Utrecht and Haarlem, which were all significant centres of portrait art during the Renaissance. Admire the stunning late-15th-century art works and see a great piece of Benelux in the process. www.brusselsmuseums.be World Speed Skating Championship Heerenveen, the Netherlands, 12-15 February Experience the Dutch national sport up close this month at the world-class ice arena, Thialf beautifully situated in the north of the country. This is one of the main spectator events of the year and speed skating celebrities from all over the world come together to compete in this exciting and fastmoving sport. In contrast to the All-Round Championship, the World Distance Speed Championship sets out to find the best skater in each distance – with podium positions to win with every new race. www.schaatsen.nl Chinese New Year Celebrations Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 14-15 February This year, the Lunar calendar year com-
mences on Thursday 19 February 2015. In the Dutch capital the festivities start the weekend before, lighting up the historic Nieuwmarkt/Zeedijk neighbourhood in the colour red. The Chinese New Year’s celebrations are also the ideal time to visit Amsterdam’s beautiful Buddhist temple Fo Guang Shan He Hua. For food, go to Europe’s first floating Chinese restaurant, Sea Palace, where you can expect something special for the occasion. There will be celebrations, activities and performances all over the city, from calligraphy workshops at De Bijenkorf to firework displays and lion dancing along the Geldersekade. www.iamsterdam.com
Baby Days Kortrijk, Belgium, 28 February – 1 March Expectant parents would not want to miss out on the three-day baby bonanza at the end of the month, and neither should new mums and dads. Apart from meeting other parents with young children, there will be opportunities to talk to experts, getting samples and coupons, learning about the latest trends and picking up some new ideas. There will be over a hundred exhibitors, ranging from baby products and health services to insurance and cars. Children who come along can play games with other children and try something tasty from their own especially made baby menu. www.babydays.be
Aalst Carnival Aalst, Belgium, 15-17 February Nothing says February like an authentic, old-fashioned carnival! From Sunday through to Tuesday there is a vibrant parade going through the centre of the city, with traditional performances and activities such as broom dancing and onion throwing. The Voil Jeanetten parade on Tuesday is a mad treat featuring men with beautiful makeup wearing dresses and corsets, bird cages with smoked herring and burning of the carnival effigy. There is room for both young and old in the colourful slightly crazed festivities and this is a perfect opportunity to visit the lovely city of Aalst. www.visitflanders.co.uk
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