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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