Oops,
where have I been for two whole weeks? Living for sure but with a sadly-reduced time to spend in Brugge.
First, back to the UK on Thurs 16th July for the graduations of two grandsons, brothers to boot and both now with good degrees in Economics. The subsequent celebrations for my son's family were held in London at a super restaurant, Santini's, in Victoria somewhere, I think. The ceremonies were in Brighton and in Leeds so London was a good place to meet to mark the double occasion and a jolly time was had. In fact, it was great. I took the opportunity to suggest that their youngest bruv, celebrating his 19th that very same day, and also reading Economics, could try to match their successes or even do better. However, I was out of touch as usual! He is Much More Interested as Social Secretary of something or other, with the huge responsibility for arranging a pub crawl for 500 students in Freshers' Week in late Sept or early October. Much more engrossed in that and his plan to go travelling after he graduates! I do like his ability to focus on what motivates him; it was often apparent during his sometimes dodgy, younger days and will surely be a great life skill for the future.
Home after the celebrations and several days spent, visiting sick friends in different parts of the UK, with younger daughter and grand-daughter Niamh coming to stay a couple of days after my return. One of the lovely things which Niamh did was to go to have a professional make-up done as a birthday present, surely a dream for any teenager? To be totally fair-handed about the family's brief appearance on this blog, I supply one of the photographs of the finished result when she came back to the apartment.
One of the Triennale structures, pictured before on this blog, really took the fancy of Niamh and her mother so, after they had gone, I went back and took another photograph of it and of the information panel nearby, I hadn't even noticed these panels when I first wrote about the Triennale and only realised their significance some time later.
This is the structure of which I write, probably my favourite too out of the whole group. However, it is MOST interesting to read the remarks of the architect responsible for it displayed nearby as a companion plaque. It is a Gothic step gable house and is installed in a lock in the north of the Bruges 'egg' close to where the city was linked to the sea in the Middle Ages. He points out that now, instead of the flow of goods and wealth along the canals, comes the inevitable endless stream of tourists who mainly seem to be interested in the frozen, timeless quality of Bruges. The architect suggests that by closing itself off behind the facade of history, the city is hindering its natural development. He suggests that there are forces at work behind the facade of the frozen city which will exact a price that Bruges will eventually pay on a social and cultural level.
The piece is entitled Cataract Gorge which is a nod to the turbulence in the water created by its presence, but can also refer to the cataracts that cloud the vision. The word, Gorge, also has two meanings: a narrow valley but also a self-indulgent action. All of this had escaped my earlier, rather cursory, look at the aesthetic impact only. Immensely interesting.
While I have been otherwise engaged I have missed lots of fun events, out-of-doors and therefore free to all. The City of Bruges really does give lots of free entertainment to its residents and the occasional passing tourist! In fact, it is estimated that around five million tourists visit Brugge every year and certain streets are irritatingly over-full of meandering visitors, some displaying the worst communal habit; eating on the hoof. However, rather like summer life in the Lakes in Britain, one has only to step a short distance, away from the most popular areas, to experience a delightful tranquillity.
The day after my return, it was Belgium's National Day [July 21st] and there was a three day event
culminating on that day, on the Groote Markt involving music. I believe karaoke was going to be a feature but there were rock bands and various tribute bands, some playing 'pop with a raw edge' plus, no doubt, beer tents and food stalls. Someone I know had been and said it had been 'Great!'
Looks good.
Meanwhile in the Burg, seat of local government and all things administrative for the City, plus, of course, the Chapel of the Holy Blood, there seems to have been a covered stage erected for quite a while. From Friday 24th July to Thursday 6th August there is an on-going event called Moods with different musicians most evenings; all gratis. Began last Friday with Flip Kowler + Roosbeef and ends on the 6th with the UK Villagers for which there IS a modest charge!
And to top it all, there is folk dancing for all who care to go to the Fish Market [Vismarkt] in Brugge, near the Burg, every Friday evening from 18.00 to 22.00 in July and August. I glean from the as yet impenetrable Dutch that this includes Salsa de Brujas and Argentijnse. It was crowded when I passed by last Saturday evening.
