Bennie from Ghent
Concert of the Carillon Ghent
The sound of our belfry
‘Boring’, ‘Oldfashioned’, ‘Carillon what?’. People’s response to carillon music is usually not that outrageous. But there are ways to bring these medieval sounds to the 21st century. In Ghent, we use our 14th-century Belfry to do that. The region – roughly, Belgium and the North of France – is littered with Unesco World Heritage belfries. Those belfries were important representations of civil independence and their bells were used for marking the routine in daily life. Today, the towers form the city skyline and are popular tourist stops on city trips.
Besides looking at our belfry, I often listen to it. Every day, every quarter of the hour, a specific song is played. The 4 songs are chosen by the public by online voting every two years. This time we even got votes from New York and Hanoi.
You can recognize ‘Perfect Day’ by Lou Reed, ‘Bluesette’ by Belgian jazz legend Toots Tielemans and ‘Ruimtevaarder’ by the Belgian band Kommil Foo. Song number four is Boven Gent Rijst (Above Ghent Rises) also known as Klokke Roeland. 'Klokke Roeland' is the clock that hangs in the concrete base next to the City Pavilion and the song about the bell is the unofficial anthem of the citizens of Ghent.
Being creative with a carillon pays off. Since 2009, Ghent has been known as a Unesco Creative City of Music. Be a part of this creative title & try to recognize which songs are playing when on our belfry. You can try it all day long, every 15 minutes.
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Oak
Living room cuisine
"Oak" is probably Ghent's best restaurant at the moment. You need to book 3 months in advance to set foot here, since the price and quality is exceptional.
by
Nick
Provoost
Mayana Chocoladebar
Chocolate heaven
"Mayana Chocoladebar" in Ghent is for the 99.9% of us who like chocolate. They have four kinds of chocolate here; I always go for the darkest one of course
by
Nick
Provoost
STAM
Ghent city museum
"STAM" is Ghent's city museum. It's located in the old abbey. I must say, if you haven't been to this museum, you haven't been in Ghent!
by
Nick
Provoost
Eetkaffee Multatuli
Fair food
"Eetkaffee Multatuli" in Ghent is a true hidden gem of a spot. Please, keep quiet about this restaurant as I don't want it to become more popular!
by
Nick
Provoost
Noodlebar Ramen
Fresh - cosy - no-nonsense
"Noodlebar Ramen" is a fresh, cozy and no-nonsense noodle restaurant in Ghent. The owner has published several books on street food. I come here for lunch.
by
Nick
Provoost
MSK
Museum voor Schone Kunsten
"MSK" in Ghent, or Museum voor Schone Kunsten (fine arts) doesn't look so big from the outside. For me, a walk there is the perfect Sunday afternoon...
by
Tahnee
Naesen
Citadelpark
Green and culture go hand in hand
"Citadelpark" in Ghent, only 800m from Sint-Pieters station, is the oldest and biggest park in the city - the perfect place for picnics and outdoor games.
by
Dieter
Covent
Chocolatier Van Hoorebeke
Handmade chocolates
"Chocolatier Van Hoorebeke" in Ghent is a shop run by my family that specialises in Belgian pralines, or chocolate! Do try our Brasil mix...
by
Dieter
Covent
City Park
Green heart of Ghent
"City Park" is a small park next to the much-discussed City Hall - a meeting place for young and old. I enjoy getting philosophical with the view here...
by
Dieter
Covent
Le Bal Infernal
Used book café
"Le Bal Infernal" in Ghent is a used book cafe where you go inside, admire the beautiful interior and switch the books with one you have already!
by
Tahnee
Naesen
Yoga-on-call
De-stress like a local
"Yoga-on-call" is a contemporary yoga studio in the heart of Ghent. All the teachers are enthusiastic and helpful and speak English. I'm always energized.
by
Nick
Provoost
Simon Says
Time for coffee and much more
"Simon Says" in Ghent is more than a coffee bar. They offer breakfast, lunch and great cakes. I don't like coffee but it's said that theirs is the best.
by
Nick
Provoost
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