Belgicum - Stephan Vanfleteren (Fotomuseum, Antwerp,16-12-2007)

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

This exhibit has been such a success already that it has been prolonged un till February the 10th 2008. So you still have some time to visit it and you should visit it if you have a chance!

These pictures show you Belgium in all it's uniqueness, beauty, ugliness, weirdness, sadness. They show you (part of) the soul of Belgium.
Every-one should just go and watch them! Or buy the book and enjoy them at home ;-)

http://www.fotomuseum.be/

In The Name of God (Leuven, 8-12-2007)

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Other

An exhibit about 1000 years of monastic tradition in Europe.
Several (former) convents in Europe have joined hands to make this exhibit and I think it will still travel to other countries. Here in Belgium it ends tomorrow.

It's a fun exhibit, especially for people who don't know much about convents. Expect a lot of easy to read information and interactive "games" but not a lot of art and objects.
I especially loved the animation movie of a day in the live of a medieval novice.

You can still enjoy the site even if you won't be able to see the exhibit here: http://www.ingodsnaam.com/EN/ingodsnaam.html

National Genever Museum (Hasselt, 7-12-2007)

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

A must see in Hasselt! Not only is this a great old industrial building but it's also an interesting museum ànd the only steam distillery in Europe which is still in use!

We were mainly here to see the exhibit "The wise man and the fool" about Alchemism. There are always small exhibits in this museum that have something to do with the (history of) genever or distilling. This was a pretty cool exhibit with some great pictures of alchemistic laboratories and such.
The museum itself is of course very cool if you like old industrial buildings. And we love them so we totally enjoyed it ;-)

It's not a very expensive museum and the best thing: you get to taste one free genever. You can of course also buy whole bottles of this elixir here ;-)
Check the site: http://www.hasselt.be/index.php?lang=en&rO=1

The Hedgehog (De Egel)

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Restaurants
Cuisine:	Irish
Location:	Hasselt (Zuivelmarkt, opposite z33)

Best sandwiches ever! And quite cheap too! And their scones are delicious as well ;-)

http://www.kaffee-de-egel.be/

SLOW (Z33, Hasselt, 7-12-2007)

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

If you are in Hasselt or close to it this is a real must see. The exhibit is called "SLOW" because it's about looking differently and "slower" at art. That may sound a bit conceptual but the works are really a very visually exciting kind of meditation.
Our favourite is a mirror-room (yes walls ànd ceiling ànd floor) with a "relaxing" video with flower-like colourful images and different sounds and noises. It's great to be surrounded by yourself and all these colours!

Check it out: http://www.z33.be/#page=home

Pears on Beeches (Stadsmus, Hasselt, 7-12-2007)

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

Or the original title in Dutch: Peren op de Beuken. An exhibit about the Dutch/Belgian/German writer Hendrik van Veldeke and his time (1130-1230).
The 12th century was a great time for European art and literature and in this exhibit you can see a nice part of that.

Veldeke translated and rewrote several classic stories in the language of the region (Diets). He also wrote a lot of songs. Sadly not many of his original manuscripts have survived. Most of his work has survived as German translations.
If you can read Dutch and/or German it's really worthwhile to read some of his texts because they are really well written and also quite funny.

The exhibit is fabulous and exciting. It's not very big but it looks exquisite, the information is interesting and you get to see some unique objects. Our favourite is a German translation of the Story of Aeneas which looks just like a medieval comic.

There are several exhibits and other events around the person of Veldeke this year in the region (Limburg) because he used to live and work here. If you are interested in (Dutch) literature and Middle Ages you should celebrate Veldeke
Visit http://www.vivaveldeke.eu/ (site available in Dutch, French and German).

P.S. if you want to know what "Pears on Beeches" means you should visit the exhibit ;-p
Or ask me nicely of course ;-)

The Hives (Brussels, AB, 2-12-2007)

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

The Hives are brilliant! Ten stars easily! Wow they are so great! And so good-looking! There are not enough words in this world to describe their greatness!!
Am I overreacting? No never! I just wouldn't dare to say anything else or the band might come round and make me dance and clap un till I die ;-p

Ok seriously: The Hives are indeed a great live band with very enjoyable songs and terrific stamina. I've never seen a singer with more energy so I'm really wondering what his secret is...
If you like their music you should definitely see them some time!

The Hives were supported by two bands one of which was boring (and I forgot the name) and the other (Quit your dayjob) was pretty good, really weird and also Swedish.