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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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!
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Damberd
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"Damberd" is the best example of that they call a 'Belgisch bruin café' in Ghent and one of its oldest bards. Very popular with the jazz crowd!
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Nick
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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.
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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.
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Rococo
Cozy and romantic
"Rococo" in Ghent's very cozy old neighborhood Patershol is also a cozy and romantic bar. It's known among locals as 'Betty'. Have some 'liquer d'amour'...
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Portus Ganda
Back to basics
"Portus Ganda" is one of the four marinas of Ghent. Its history goes back to the very basis of the city and is my favourite spot - I feel connected here...
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BOON
Lunch bar
"BOON" is the most beautiful lunch bar in Ghent and already my all-time favorite lunch place! It is mostly vegetarian. Try the rhubarb soda, trust me.
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The Virgin
A wonderful gift
"The Virgin", a little fresco was revealed on November 18, 2014 in Ghent. I first followed the reaction of Pierre Pierlala, who called it an 'enlarged stamp'
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De Krook
The brand new public library
"De Krook" is Ghent's new public library, located next to the river. It has a nice bar and its great views over the three towers will leave you speechless.
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St Peter's Abbey
The Ghent vineyards
"St Peter's Abbey" in Ghent is one of the city's two beer-producing abbeys. I find it the perfect place to chill out and try many kinds of Belgian beer.
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Nick
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O'YO
Original yoghurt
"O'YO" Ghent is a yogurt shop perfect for a healthy alternative to cake or ice cream! A cool place that offers everything yogurt; sweet, savory or both!
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Tahnee
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Koperhuis
Lifestyle & interior design
"Koperhuis" in Ghent is a very nice design & lifestyle shop. I guarantee you: if you have a house, this place will inspire you to change everything...
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