Dossier De Presse Carolus Festival EN
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PRESS RELEASE Brussels, 9 March 2017 Charles V Festival Brussels in Renaissance times Once again this year from May through September during the Charles V Festival, Brussels brings back the Renaissance spirit with its artistic and scientific innovations. On this occasion fifteenth century European history and heritage will be in the spotlight thanks to a full schedule of festive, cultural, and family activities planned for different locations throughout the Brussels-Capital Region. The festive and historical Charles programme is incorporated into the "European routes of Emperor Charles V" network. This historical and tourist route is recognised by the Council of Europe's European Institute of Cultural Routes. It combines the places that marked the reign of Charles V and the cities through which he travelled. This year we are commemorating the 150 th anniversary of Charles de Coster's Ulenspiegel, a masterful work of Brussels literature set in the old Netherlands at the time of Charles V and his son. Now here is a preview of the must-see events of this edition: Exhibition/route: Remigio Cantagallina, an Italian traveller in the Southern Netherlands More than 400 years ago, a Florentine artist named Remigio Cantagallina journeyed across Europe to present himself at the court of Archduke Albert and Archduchess Isabelle in Brussels. His reasons for making this trip have been the subject of meticulous research straddling history and art history. During his 1612-1613 stay in the old Southern Netherlands, he produced a number of drawings which constitute a unique record to this very day. These small drawings have been enlarged and staged in the underground ruins of the old Coudenberg Palace. Immerse yourself in the cities of the old Netherlands and time-travel between Brussels, Temse, and Spa. These drawings belong to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium's collection, which is displaying a selection of original works especially for this occasion. THE ERASMUS HOUSE, a 500 year-old abode The Erasmus House, one of Brussels' oldest homes (1515), brings together a collection of paintings (Holbein, Bosch, and Metsys) in a restored period interior, a rich library with thousands of old titles, and a Philosophical Garden all in one place. A letter signed by Charles V will be on special display throughout the festival. Treasure hunts for children: Travelling with Erasmus (ages 6 - 9) - On the Erasmus trail (ages 10 - 12). - Family Day (21 May 2017) On Family Day today's families will travel back in time. A day full of surprises awaits them at Coudenberg Palace. On the schedule: games and themed workshops, a period buffet, crossbow shooting, encounters with Ommegang characters, introductory dance classes, and guided tours. It's a delightful opportunity to travel back in time and learn among family and friends. - Ommegang Week (5 - 8 July 2017) On Wednesday, 5 and Friday, 7 July, the parade held in 1549 for Charles V and his son will take to the streets of Brussels. All told, 1,400 walk-on performers will immerse you in the period atmosphere. Charles V's coach and his procession, comprised of musicians, dancers, horsemen, guards, standard-bearers, and more, will wind their way through city streets from the Parc de Bruxelles to Grand-Place, where the traditional show will round out a lovely day. A medieval village, market and jousting exhibition will animate this festival. Not forgetting, of course, the unmissable crossbow workshop that will be held in front of the Notre-Dame du Sablon church. All these activities and more will take the region back into the heart of the 16th century on 5, 6 and 7 July 2017. Additional information is available on the Charles V Festival's mini-site: www.carolusfestival.brussels Additional information on the European cultural routes: www.itineracarolusv.eu Media contact: visit.brussels : Noémie Wibail, media support coordinator - +32 490 49 43 84 [email protected] Brussels, 21 March 2017 FAMILY DAY AND FINE CUISINE AT COUDENBERG PALACE Sunday 21 May 2017 from 10 AM to 6 PM as part of the Charles V Festival Young and old alike will journey back to Renaissance times through a number of activities held at Coudenberg, the Brussels palace of Charles V. On tap: themed games and workshops, historical buffet, guided tours, and introductory dance classes. It's a great opportunity to go back in time with family and friends and step into the shoes of a crossbowman, a courtly lady, or a knight. GET A TASTE Historical buffet: visitors will have the chance to enjoy culinary delights between two activities thanks to sweet/savoury mixed platters inspired by Renaissance cuisine. A team of seasoned chefs will enable you to sample the recipes of that bygone era during a sumptuous buffet. LEARN Crossbow archery: The Grand Serment Royal and Saint George Crossbow Guild of Brussels will acquaint older visitors with the proper handling of one of the Renaissance's most dangerous weapons: the crossbow. While children will engage in a safer version of the same activity. Cooking workshop: For those who enjoy cuisine, there's nothing better than an introduction to the culinary arts of that time. They will have free rein to try their hand at making delicious concoctions that will carry you back through time and the pages of history. Renaissance cuisine workshop at 11 AM and 3 PM. On-site registration. Zythology (or beerology) workshop: heard of enology? Well, zythology is the same concept except with beer instead of wine. An opportunity to discover its history, composition, and varieties but also to taste it as is fitting. DISCOVER Meet Ommegang's characters | photo shoot: Crossbowmen, halberdiers, and lords and ladies of the court will welcome young and old alike. Reproductions of period costumes and accessories will be available to them in order to immortalise the event. Guided tours of the "Remigio Cantagallina, an Italian traveller to the Southern Netherlands" route Guided tours will be conducted throughout the day. French language tours will begin every hour on the hour while Dutch tours will start at half past each hour. Guided tours in Spanish at 2 PM and 4 PM Other guided tours in French: 18 June, 16 July, and 20 August at 2:00 PM Other guided tours in Dutch: 25 June, 25 July, and 27 August at 2:30 PM HAVE FUN Play as they did in Renaissance times : marbles, jacks...to improve your dexterity and skill Become a court architect: what could be more original than completing your own palace model as it once existed or as it might have been? Participate in this workshop as a family to recreate the buildings comprising the Coudenberg Palace on a grand scale. DANCE Interactive exploration of music and dance : the past buried in the cellars of Brussels comes alive through melodies, instruments, and dances from the time of Charles V! With the participation of the Capriool ensemble, De Houtblazers, and many musicians and dancers. PRACTICAL FAMILY DAY INFORMATION Date: Sunday, 21 May 2017 from 10 AM to 6 PM Place: Coudenberg Palace - Old Palace of Brussels (beneath Place Royale) Entrance at BELvue - Mont des Arts - Place des Palais 7, 1000 Brussels - Info: + 32 (0) 2 500 45 54 Rates: € 5 - 7; < age 18, free - Activities/tours included in the price of admission Historical buffet from 10 AM to 4 PM (€3-€8) More information: www.coudenberg.brussels Media contact: visit.brussels : Noémie Wibail, media coordinator - +32 (0) 490 49 43 84 [email protected] Coudenberg Palace Maïlys Charlier, public relations manager - +32 (02) 563 61 84 [email protected] PRESS RELEASE Brussels, 3 April 2017 Charles V Festival Take a trip back to Renaissance times with guided tours and walks From May to September 2017, the Charles V Festival will immerse Brussels in the Renaissance era. Among the many activities on offer, guided tours and walks in the European capital allow experts, amateurs, and children alike to explore the reign of Charles V, the 16 th century's most powerful emperor. Sixteenth century European history and heritage are in the spotlight thanks to a series of festive cultural and family activities held in various places around the Brussels-Capital Region. Through tours and walks, visitors relive different pivotal moments from the time of Charles V. From the treasures hidden away at the Ommegang to the fortifications of Medieval Brussels and the secrets of the King's House, here's a glimpse of the tours and walks offered this festival season: - As part of Family Day, guided tours of Coudenberg Palace French-Dutch-Spanish French: 21/05 every hour on the hour Dutch: 21/05 every hour on the half-hour Spanish: 21/05 at 2 PM and 4 PM - Guided tours of the "Remigio Cantagallina" route. "He was an Italian traveller in the Southern Netherlands" French-Dutch French: 18/06, 16/07, 20/08 at 2:00 PM Dutch: 25/06, 23/07, 27/08 at 2:30 PM - Renaissance Brussels – from Ulenspiegel to Albert and Isabella French-Dutch French: 18/06, 16/07, and 20/08 at 2:30 PM Dutch: 25/06, 23/07, and 27/08 at 2:30 PM - Le Sablon and the Crossbowmen of Saint-Georges French French: 17/06, 15/07, and 19/08 at 2:30 PM - Brussels in the time of Rubens… and the Manneken-Pis French 23/07 and 27/08 at 2:30 PM - Brussels in the time of Erasmus and Luther French 24/06, 26/08, 30/09 at 2 PM - A day in the time of Albert and Isabella Dutch 27/05 from 10:30 AM to 4 PM - Renaissance habits and customs: focus on the King's House French 04/06 at 2 PM - Anderlecht: Remembering the Beguines, Saint Guidon, and Erasmus French 10/06 at 2 PM - Behind the scenes at the Ommegang, 1st part French 11/06 at 2 PM - Renaissance habits and customs: Brussels, fortified city French 17/06 at 2 PM - Erasmus – De Coster, same fight? French - Dutch French: 4/06 at 10:30 AM Dutch: 2 PM - Behind the scenes at the Ommegang, 2nd part French 07/07 at 6:30 PM - The Vestiges of Charles V's Reign in Modern Day Brussels.