JANUARY / FEBRUARY / MARCH 2021 MAGAZINE OF KNOKKE-HEIST

Knokke-Heist THE BEST ADDRESSES Living the good life FOR CHOCOLATE AND FABULOUS VINTAGE IN KH 43 / January – February – March 2021

All activities bundled in one handy overview Calendar

CATERING GENERATION THE VAN ONGEVALLE FAMILY LIGHT ART “Hospitality and willpower All about modern art GUY MORTREU About entrepreneurship, are ingrained in the classic cars, and beauty West-Flemish mentality” Nummer 43

EDITORIAL /3

Share your best photos of Knokke-Heist DEAR RESIDENTS, SECOND-HOME OWNERS, AND VISITORS, with the hashtag #myKH This autumn, we were again confronted with a restriction of our on Instagram, social life. A restriction that weighs heavily on many now and is not Twitter, and easy. Many people need connection and hope. That’s why people are Facebook. calling for #shinealight these days. So don’t stay inside, but bundle up warmly and enjoy our Light ART lights to the fullest. In keeping with our annual tradition, we will once again light up the municipality HAPPINESS IS with a unique and artistic light show that will be welcomed even IN THE LITTLE more warmly this year. THINGS I’ve also noticed that many have (re)discovered the joy in the little things. Secretly, I think we are privileged here on the coast, and even more so in Knokke-Heist. Because we have so much to enjoy, even in these difficult times. The unique nature, from the North Sea to Het Zwin, all the outdoor art that is always available, the outdoor sports possibilities, etc.

I would also like to give a shout out to our incredibly creative entrepreneurs. They’ve had to fight hard to reach you lately. But all of them showed the best of themselves and set up online shops in no time, arranged takeaway or delivery services; basically, everything to pamper you as much as possible and not to lose sight of you. In addition, I think it is worth mentioning that we are still attracting new entrepreneurs to Knokke-Heist. People who open a business in these times sincerely deserve a compliment. Like the young master chocolatier Oliver Van Nueten, who came back to settle in his home port and give our chocolate reputation an extra boost.

I’m sure you’ve already heard that I’ll take it a little easier for health reasons. That’s why I want to take advantage of this moment to impress upon you the need to keep taking good care of each other. Even more than before, family comes first. It’s always nice to see how indestructible family ties are and often lie at the basis of how much a person can achieve. For example, we see that the Van Ongevalle family does not shy away from any creative challenge, but still often eats together at Mum Heidy’s table. Father and son Mortreu work hand in glove in the family business. So no matter what the next few months bring us and how we got through the holidays, enjoy the small moments and enjoy your family. And keep enjoying Knokke-Heist. This is where the good life’s at…

Count Leopold Lippens, Mayor of Knokke-Heist 4/

Contents

YOU CAN ALSO READ KH MAGAZINE ONLINE AT WWW.KHMAGAZINE.BE

Looking back

BEE XXL: Wim Tellier’s exceptional beach art 6 #MyKH, our community on social media 8

Out in KH

Light ART: discovering modern art 22 24 hours of enjoyment for two 38

An interview with

Guy Mortreu: Belgian entrepreneur, classic car enthusiast, and saviour of Villa O.K. 26 5 questions for Jan Lagasse 41

Up to date

KH in figures 11 Fully stocked 13

Trendspotting

Viva vintage: the antiques of the future 16 AT A GLANCE /5

PAGE All natural 63 BeeOdiversity: something’s buzzing in KH 32 Calendar pure enjoyment, every day Behind the scenes

Casino’s 90th anniversary: a glimpse behind the grandeur 48

REALISATION & PRODUCTION KH is a joint publication of the municipal council of Knokke-Heist and HeadOffice. KH is published four times a year. HeadOffice, Persilstraat 51 bus 4, 3020 Herent

CONTRIBUTORS Marcio Bastos, Ignace Bauwens, Jan Caris, Karel Duerinckx, Michaël Hemstedt, Evi Malcorps, Ruben Nollet, Amandine Philippe, Erwin Rooms, Katrijn Serneels, Justine Six, Jill Van Cauwenbergh, Inne Vanden Bremt, Gelein Van Kampen, Wouter Van Trendsetters Vaerenberg, RotoSmeets, ElaN Languages CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION 60,000 Dutch – 5,500 French. The magazine is Behind the scenes in the workshop distributed free of charge to all residents of Knokke- of master chocolatier Olivier Van Nueten 42 Heist. It is sent to the registered address of owners The Van Ongevalle family on culinary creativity, of a second home in Knokke-Heist. KH is also family, ties and living at 360 km/hr 56 available free of charge at a few select locations in the municipality.

INFO FOR ADVERTISERS Jan T’Joens – [email protected] + 32(0)474 98 18 84

The magazine is also available in French and online at www.khmagazine.be in Dutch, French, English, and German. If you no longer wish to receive the magazine or if you would prefer to receive it in another language, please send an email to [email protected].

Privacy Act: the distribution list of KH is based on the database of tax- payers who own a second residence in Knokke-Heist. Please contact Toerisme Knokke-Heist vzw, Zeedijk Knokke 660, 8300 Knokke-Heist if you would like to review or change your personal data, pursuant to Article 5 of the Act of 8 December 1992 on the protection of privacy. If you no longer wish to receive this magazine, please notify Toerisme Knokke-Heist vzw, 660 Zeedijk-Knokke, 8300 Knokke-Heist. 6/

SPECIAL BEACH ART BY WIM TELLIER “The idea behind BEE XXL is that everyone goes looking for their own treasure” The BEE XXL experience WIDESCREEN /7

3 PIECES 6 1 2015 BY WIM TELLIER FLOWERS VIDEO BEE MUNICIPALITY

Our municipality worked You can still experience the The match with together with photographer 500 X ultimate BEE XXL experience. Knokke-Heist as a bee Wim Tellier for the third time. ZOOM Watch the exclusive video municipality was quickly The first joint project, ‘Time’, footage (again) using the made. We’d already resulted in the photo of a Wim Tellier photographed QR code below. Fans can been elected ‘Bee- giant crab right in front of six native flowers in also purchase a ‘limited Friendliest Municipality the casino. Two years ago, recent months. These edition’ photo. of Flanders’ in 2015, Wim redesigned our beach were enlarged five and major efforts have with his ‘Share’ project, in hundred times and then been made to support which the word ‘respect’ was cut out. The result is an biodiversity in recent formed in the sand. For ‘BEE almost surrealistic effect years. XXL’, he’s returned to Knokke- with a strong visual You can read more Heist and draws attention impact. These outdoor about it on page 32. to the bees that are vital installations were brought https://bit.ly/KH-BEE-XXL for the preservation of our together on the beach in biodiversity. September. 8/

A SOCIAL MEDIA-WORTHY AUTUMN WITH #myKH Knokke-Heist; always worth experiencing and enjoying to the fullest. From culinary extravagance and culture to nature. In both minor and major moments. Follow us on Instagram @ myknokkeheist and keep sharing your best moments with us.

FOR YOUNG AND OLD BREAKWATER

@myknokkeheist: no less than 52 spots to @lora12_03 is one of many who noticed that discover during the open gallery weekend. Folon’s man is back. HAPPY BIRTHDAY HINT OF GLAMOUR

Hollywood’s Muscles from Brussels, JCVD, The delicious cocktails by @thepharmacy.bar celebrated his 60th birthday @lareserveknokke. are all style and elegance. Autumn in KH Autumn THEY WERE THERE /9

Show us your best KH moments with the hashtag #myKH and who THREE IN A ROW A DOG’S LIFE knows? You might find yourself in the next KH Magazine or on @myknokkeheist!

A unique picture @zwinnatuurpark: a stork, Frolicking in the dunes or on the beach; there’s crane, and grey heron together. always fun by the sea! @winstonn.the.weimaraner EARLY-BIRD BAKER HOME STYLING

Start the weekend with delicious croissants from Let the soft and rough materials at @serendipity.be @marierosebakerycafe. inspire your interior design creativity. THROUGH THE STREETS ALL NATURAL

@peetersdaphne doesn’t need anything more @lisatje2003 enjoys the best horseback ride on than a lovely walk along our streets. the beach. Uw kunstcollectie zal jaloers zijn.

Het onderscheid heet Gaggenau.

Grote architectuur vraagt grote designstukken. Uw collectie vertelt wie u bent en dat geldt ook voor uw wijnklimaatkast. Elk ontwerp van Gaggenau herkent u meteen aan het typische vakmanschap, de uitzonderlijke materialen en de superieure prestaties, en dat is altijd al zo geweest sinds 1683.

Maak een statement: gaggenau.com

Het afgebeelde product is de RW 466 364 | Energie-efficiëntieklasse: A | op een schaal van energie-efficiëntieklassen van A+++ tot G.

GGGN_Vino2020_275x210_FR_NL.inddGN_Vino2020_275x210_FR_NL.indd 2 113-04-203-04-20 114:44:474:44:47 IN FIGURES /11

Uw kunstcollectie zal jaloers zijn.

WHAT’S UP

You can shop in KH 365 days a year. This summer, you could earn points from retailers and the hospitality industry for a voucher. It’s heartfelt encouragement of the local economy from the municipal government.

30,000 17,834 3 to 4 people were families generated million transported by a turnover of euros will most likely the Shopping & 15 million euros with still be pumped into the Zwin Shuttle 584 participating local economy when retailers the vouchers are redeemed

Het onderscheid heet Gaggenau.

Grote architectuur vraagt grote designstukken. Uw collectie vertelt wie u bent en dat geldt ook voor 71 8 km 41 uw wijnklimaatkast. Elk ontwerp van Gaggenau brand-new of shop windows retailers implemented herkent u meteen aan het typische vakmanschap, companies opened provided shopping fun an additional action de uitzonderlijke materialen en de superieure their doors along the Lippenslaan, when making a prestaties, en dat is altijd al zo geweest sinds 1683. in 2020 Kustlaan, and purchase using a Dumortierlaan voucher Maak een statement: gaggenau.com

Het afgebeelde product is de RW 466 364 | Energie-efficiëntieklasse: A | op een schaal van energie-efficiëntieklassen van A+++ tot G.

GGGN_Vino2020_275x210_FR_NL.inddGN_Vino2020_275x210_FR_NL.indd 2 113-04-203-04-20 114:44:474:44:47 Hightech met een ziel Loewe bild 5 - OLED

State-of-the-art OLED technologie in combinatie met een vintage design geïnspireerd op de Sixties. Hout werd gebruikt als contrast met het ultra dunne 4.9 mm beeldscherm. Loewe bild 5 OLED biedt talrijke combinatiemogelijkheden. Ontdek meer bij uw Loewe-verdeler of op loewe.tv/be-nl

AD_KH43_BENL_LOEWE.indd 1 16/11/2020 15:30 FULLY STOCKED /13

DON’T MISS OUT IN KNOKKE-HEIST Culinary takeaway service

The last several months haven’t been easy There is always for chefs and restaurants. A restaurant visit suddenly became a different experience something to discover under numerous measures, regulations, in Knokke-Heist. This and even mandatory closures. But many overview has all the places didn’t let this stop them, and they went all out for a takeaway or delivery service. to go and things to do that Three cheers because that means that you absolutely must have the takeaway range suddenly became a lot more varied than just chips or pizza. on your to-do list. Breakfast, international cuisine, or even a full five-course culinary dinner are now just a few mouse clicks away. Happy four-legged Haute parfum All the restaurants in Knokke-Heist friends with takeaway or delivery service With Christmas and Valentine’s Day just can be found in a handy overview on Our beach is a true play paradise for small around the corner, many men and women kh.delivery. and big dogs through 15 March. Many will be pleased with a delightful perfume. residents and second-home owners also Nothing’s as seductive as a sultry scent. enjoy it to the fullest. If you want to pamper But you can now go a step further. This your pup even more, then Chew is the place summer, Karine Barkho opened her to be. It’s a one-stop-shop for anything high-end perfumery filled with unique your dog may need, including a haircut. fragrances from leading brands. In this Good to know: when you are waiting to get exclusive perfume shop, you can find niche your new puppy, you can open up a puppy fragrances from great brands made with wish list here, so your friends and family the best, mainly natural, ingredients. can shop for a present for your new pet. Rêve d’âme, A. Breartstraat 14 Chew dog paradise, Lippenslaan 157 Pure poetry chew.be

Many Knokke-Heist residents are Voucher campaign Hightech met een ziel probably already quite familiar with Maud Vanhauwaert. In 2019, she collaborated Our country went into a second lockdown on Masters of Wedding Photography, just as our voucher campaign was getting Loewe bild 5 - OLED a photo exhibition in which her poems into full swing. In order to give all the accompanied wedding photographs by retailers the opportunity to participate, State-of-the-art OLED technologie in combinatie leading photographers. A new collection the municipality has decided to pause met een vintage design geïnspireerd op de Sixties. of poems was published this year and her this action. The vouchers will only be poetry can also be seen at numerous works reactivated once everyone (restaurants and Hout werd gebruikt als contrast met het ultra dunne 4.9 mm beeldscherm. of art in our municipality, to be discovered shops) is allowed to open their doors again. Loewe bild 5 OLED biedt talrijke combinatiemogelijkheden. along a walking route. The cherry on top The vouchers will be valid for another two Ontdek meer bij uw Loewe-verdeler of op loewe.tv/be-nl is one of her poems on the benches on the months as from that date. The most recent Van Bunnenplein. Start exploring! information can be found online.

mykh.be myknokke-heist.be/waardebon

AD_KH43_BENL_LOEWE.indd 1 16/11/2020 15:30 ONZE WEBSHOP IS 24/7 OPEN: WWW.COLMAN.BE

Eiermarkt 7, 2000 Antwerpen Elizabetlaan 17, 8300 Knokke 03 21 1 1 11 050 96 96 44 [email protected] [email protected]

Ook per telefoon en e-mail blijven wij tot uw beschikking.

e308652_col_ad_minnie_merken_210x275-5_Knokke-Heist_1120_n_f_1.indd 1 17/11/2020 17:08

FULLY STOCKED /15

DON’T MISS OUT IN KNOKKE-HEIST Don’t forget your parking pass

A new year, a new parking pass! Given the COVID-19 measures, this is best done There is always online via https://knokke.q2c.eu/. You can also find all the information and prices something to discover here. If you just can’t get it to work online, in Knokke-Heist. This you can also make an appointment with the parking shop by phone. Everyone who overview has all the places is domiciled in Knokke-Heist can apply to go and things to do that for a parking pass, as can second-hand you absolutely must have residents who pay municipal tax (max. four passes per address) and renters on on your to-do list. an annual basis.

All information is on www.parkeren.be/ Made in Belgium Like music knokke-heist or via the parking shop to your ears T 050 342 306 Last summer, our very own Tom D. Jones launched an absolute must-have A Bang&Olufsen shop in Knokke-Heist? for the bookcase. After the colour series That’s music to our ears. From now on, ‘Momentum’ and ‘Aether’, the Hasselblad you can discover all B&O’s core products master photographer releases a black and in the new shop (of course, if the measures white series in ‘Littoral’, with images of allow it). The audiovisual gadgets can also Knokke-Heist and Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, be custom installed at your home. made between 2015 and 2020. The beach remains an immense source of inspiration Bang&Olufsen, Natiënlaan 226, and is one of Jones’s favourite subjects. In vandeloock.be the sixty images of his new collection, he plays with light, water levels, wind, clouds, etc. The most exceptional conditions of our A nose for decor coast are captured in an utterly unique way. BRAFA Trail

Spotted on the Kustlaan: the new Littoral, 55 euros, Tom D. Jones, At the end of January, BRAFA (one of Gommaire Organic Living concept Zeedijk Zoute 817-818 and Lippenslaan 128 the oldest and most renowned art fairs shop. This beautiful Belgian brand adds jonesgallery.be and tomdjones.com in the world) will be inspiring awe with an organic touch to your interior. The Also for sale at Tourism Knokke-Heist BRAFA in the galleries. And Knokke- furniture and decorative elements, such and on the online shop Heist is on the radar because no less than as glassware, ceramics, woven baskets, shop.myknokke-heist.be. ten local galleries will participate. You will and chairs, all create a warm feeling and fit be able to discover a beautiful route on into the embrace of your interior perfectly. the weekends of 30 and 31 January and The shop in Knokke-Heist is run by none 6 and 7 February. Starting on the dike at other than Geo Flamant (of the famous the Patrick De Brock Gallery and going all ONZE WEBSHOP IS 24/7 OPEN: WWW.COLMAN.BE brand), who has a flawless sense of style. the way back along the Kustlaan, ending Be sure to take a look! at Samuel Vanhoegaerden. All the details still aren’t fully available, but it promises Eiermarkt 7, 2000 Antwerpen Elizabetlaan 17, 8300 Knokke Gommaire, Kustlaan 110-112 to be a unique experience in any case. 03 21 1 1 11 050 96 96 44 gommaire.com [email protected] [email protected] Discover all the information on brafa.be

Ook per telefoon en e-mail blijven wij tot uw beschikking.

e308652_col_ad_minnie_merken_210x275-5_Knokke-Heist_1120_n_f_1.indd 1 17/11/2020 17:08 16/ VINTAGE SHOPPING V I N T

THE ANTIQUES OF THE FUTURE

You could say that vintage clothing and furniture are timeless. Not everyone is won over by the idea of Viva getting something that already has a history. And yet other people are so excited about it that they even want to dig deeper into their pockets for vintage! it. What makes vintage so popular? Text: Sarah Tulkens VINTAGE SHOPPING /17 A E G

o start with, perhaps we should clarify exactly what elements is quite sought after in the market. Bruno the term ‘vintage’ means. It concerns items that Woestyn, owner of the vintage furniture shop Collector’s T were produced in the period from roughly 1920 to Corner, is quite familiar with this. He was a real estate 1980. Anything older can be placed under the category agent in a previous life, but a year and a half ago, he up and ‘antiques’ and anything younger is still too new to be decided from one day to the next to do something with his considered vintage. Although there is plenty of room passion for vintage furniture. “You could probably call it Viva for discussion because terms like ‘old’ and ‘new’ are, of a midlife crisis. But actually it’s a passion that has always course, relative and change with the times. Don’t confuse been there. I have been collecting furniture and objects all ‘vintage’ with ‘retro’. Because the latter is a style. For my life. It’s simply in my blood. So, when I started my shop, example, you can buy a brand-new refrigerator with a I had enough in the house to get started.” retro look. So, that’s already clear. Bruno constantly keeps his eyes and ears open for VIVA VINTAGE interesting and authentic items that cross his path. “I’m vintage! Which items are we actually talking about? Clothing, looking for beautiful furniture and objects with their own accessories, and furniture from that period are very story and history, or by well-known designers or studios. popular in particular. But also cars and even houses can You’re usually sitting pretty if you can find a piece of the increase in value with a vintage label. For example, a latter that is still in good condition. Good designers work house from the 1970s that still contains a lot of the original with good materials and techniques. In that case, the 18/ VINTAGE SHOPPING

Bruno’s favourite LOUNGE CHAIR 670 & OTTOMAN 671

The most iconic seat ever. Walnut, aluminium, and leather with a beautiful patina. Designed by Charles Eames in 1959 for Herman Miller NY.

Bruno’s favourite EROS TABLE BY MANGIAROTTI

A marble table by Angelo Mangiarotti from 1970, Skipper edition.

quality of your purchase is guaranteed, the profession is the clothing sold here comes from here. They must look ingrained in the product. This is often not the case with brand-new. So our advertising works differently from other newer furniture. Moreover, you often see the same designs clothing shops,” says Jean-Luc with a laugh. being used repeatedly in the latter. Whether it comes from an expensive shop or an interior design chain store, Tania Vanneste, owner of second-hand boutique Due it doesn’t even matter. There is so much sameness! So I Mani, thinks that the success of vintage lies partly in it should come as no surprise that the added value of a the finishing touches. “These older pieces are still often unique, authentic, and high-quality piece is also tangible in handcrafted, while a lot of clothing nowadays is produced the price. At the end of the day, you’re buying the antiques in large numbers using machines. What is still handmade of the future. A piece of furniture that will last perfectly for or finished by hand today is more expensive than it decades to come and even increase in value over the years.” used to be, when it was standard. That more acceptable price tag naturally plays a role in the popularity of OLD, BUT NOT WORN OUT vintage clothing. That and the fact that the purchase of Even in vintage clothing, the motivation is often a vintage piece gives you something unique that sets you ‘uniqueness’, being able to wear something original that no apart from what others wear. You can use it to create a one else wears. Jean-Luc Moenaert and Ingrid Heyneman beautiful look that transcends trends.” have been running the second-hand boutique Secondo for more than 30 years. “If you ask me, second-hand clothes A STYLE ALL ITS OWN have always been popular,” Jean-Luc begins, “otherwise, Jean-Luc and Ingrid see customers of all ages popping our shop wouldn’t have been running so well all these years. into their shop. In the summer months, many tourists Our customers are not only fashion-conscious but also come in, but they also have a regular, local clientele. “We environmentally conscious. We offer them good-quality, have customers who stop by every week to see what durable, and fashionable clothing, high-class second-hand as new arrivals have come in,” says Jean-Luc. “They’re our baseline says. And all at a reasonable price. Every piece often looking for something specific or they are fans of a that is brought in here is literally turned inside out. Zips, certain brand and don’t want to miss it when a new item buttons, pockets, the fabric itself… only pieces that are in hits our shelves. These customers sometimes know our perfect condition and from certain fashion houses or brands assortment better than we do!” get a place on our shelves. You shouldn’t actually notice that Tania can’t put age or style on her customers either. VINTAGE SHOPPING /19

Tania’s favourite HERMÈS KELLY BAG WITH STRAP

The iconic Kelly Bag purse became world famous when Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco, was photographed with it in 1956.

Jean-Luc and Ingrid’s favourite DELVAUX HANDBAGS

A series of handbags that appeal to the imagination from a Belgian brand. Even though the label was established a year before our country!

“From May to October, the customers are a bit more customers often spontaneously ask me if I want to buy international, but I mainly see local vintage enthusiasts something from them. Fortunately, vintage furniture is for the rest of the year. I always like it when someone with well catalogued, so you can easily find information about it their own style walks into my boutique. You immediately and thus determine a fair price.” His favourites? “For me, see that these people are also happy to browse through Scandinavian design has a bit of an advantage over others your stuff. If such a person finds the one piece that they because of the beautiful wood from which they are often have been looking for for so long or that fits their style, it made. But Italian and Belgian design also make my heart makes me intensely happy. That’s why I do it! Especially beat faster.” What Bruno doesn’t like is the term ‘vintage’. when they come back afterwards and tell me that they “That’s another buzzword that lumps everything together, got compliments on their purchase.” isn’t it? I prefer to talk about design from specific periods of time; at least that way, you have a little information IT’S A PASSION about its origins and show respect for the past,” he Like Bruno, Jean-Luc and Tania also speak of a concludes with a chuckle. real passion. “You never get bored,” says Tania enthusiastically. “As a second-hand boutique, I don’t follow collections or trends, so I never know in advance what will come in. I’ve had my shop for ten years now, Looking for a unique piece of furniture or that one piece of clothing or but every day is a surprise. Only the seasons determine accessory of yesteryear? Or do you have something you’d like to sell? Don’t what’s on the shelves and what’s hesitate to stop by one of our passionate retailers. going back into the closet until next summer.” COLLECTOR’S CORNER SECONDO DUE I MANI “In addition to the fact that you can have such fun Dumortierlaan 54, Kustlaan 2, Dumortierlaan 135, snapping up that one unique piece, it also feels good to be G 0475 344 933 T 050 611 947 T 050 601 260 part of a circular economy,” says Bruno. “What I sell has ALSO ON YOUR VINTAGE RADAR already lived a lifetime and will continue to have a long, Discover many unique vintage pieces at La Mine de Diamant, beautiful life. They are not disposable furniture or objects, Lippenslaan 56, laminedediamant.be, and at Backtodesign, Zeedijk 737, but sustainable products. I’m sometimes amazed at how backtodesign.eu many of these things can still be found, even locally. Here, Luxurious and high-quality finished apartment with frontal sea view, private Cambier de Nil garden and sun-facing terrace. Located in a prestigious residence in SELLING YOUR PROPERTY IS OUR PRIORITY ‘t Zoute, near the Wandeldijk, ‘t Zwin and the RBSC sailing club.

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YES ref. 4032432 22/ HEADING OUT

LIGHT! ART! FESTIVAL! HEADING OUT /23

LIGHT! ART! LIGHT ART FESTIVAL ALL ABOUT MODERN ART

After two editions, the Light Art Festival of Knokke-Heist – aka Light ART – says goodbye to The FESTIVAL! Little Prince. This time, the three- week festival will focus on modern art in all its beauty and diversity. Text: Ruben Nollet Photos: Bart Heemskerk and Janus van der Eijnden

from Light Festival to Light Art Festival. The event that literally makes Knokke-Heist shine F changed its name last year. That banner will be more appropriate in 2020 than ever before. After two editions focusing on the adventures of The Little Prince, the festival resolutely turns its gaze to the art world. At nine locations (see next page), visitors can discover light installations and creations that always refer to a specific movement within contemporary art, from expressionism and surrealism to pop art and graffiti. This artistic perspective is not in itself new, emphasises curator Jean Pierre Deschepper. “We wanted to do something with art in Knokke-Heist from the very first edition,” he says. “This is also the difference with the other light festivals, which usually set up as many light installations as possible throughout the city. We have always focused on works with a clear artistic value.”

That’s why the festival is now officially called Light ART. The intention is to give the event even more of a place in Knokke-Heist’s art world. Is modern art not really your cup of tea or are you still a little in the dark about it? Don’t worry 24/ HEADING OUT

because the festival once again offers an app to give you more background information about the lighting installations via recorded texts. “Together, they tell the story of the route, and there are links to websites about the art movements and the artists,” explains the curator. “By the way, we put together this explanation in collaboration with the art magazine HART.”

Light ART also takes COVID-19 into account. For example, the works of art are no longer arranged in a fixed order. In the previous edition, What is freedom? The Italian light artist visitors had to follow along with the story of The Angelo Bonello asks the question, but Little Prince; now, they are free to follow the route leaves the answer open. Like a kind of as they wish. This should prevent queues. flipbook, an illuminated figure makes a huge leap. He doesn’t know what’s The health crisis also had an influence on waiting for him across the street. The the selection. “We have excluded or at least energetic installation immediately postponed several works of art,” admits recalls the simple and energetic Deschepper. “We’ve mainly looked for characters from the oeuvre of Keith installations that you don’t have to touch. We Haring, the master of pop art & graffiti. also had our eye on a beautiful creation inspired by the work of painter Mark Rothko. However, RUN BEYOND that experience takes about fifteen minutes, 8 WORKS, which would inevitably lead to an influx of people. 8 CURRENTS, Zeedijk, between the security post Hopefully, we can show them next year.” Plans and the Albertplein have already been made. 9 STOPS

For our youngest visitors we provided a tailor-made course, with fun assignments and questions. It stimulates ARTIST QUOTES STARRY NIGHT children to think about art in a fun and accessible way. Zeedijk, Beach near safety post the Albertplein

Artists are seers, people with a One of the most famous paintings Light ART will take place on several days unique view of the world. At this from the post-impressionist art between december 5th and januari 3rd, year’s security post, there is a movement is undoubtedly Starry from 5 pm till 9 pm. large LED screen on which various Night by Vincent Van Gogh. That Information: mykh.be/lightart statements by contemporary artists wonderful canvas with its swirling appear. Andy Warhol, Edward night sky inspired the Serbian duo Hopper, Edward Klimt, and Salvador Ivana Jelic´ (architect) and Pavle Dalí, among others, are given the Petrovic´ (creative engineer) to stage, providing the visitor with create the installation Starry Night, a insight into what drives them. fabric of acrylic tubes and LED lights. HEADING OUT /25 PRODUCTION: MB CREATIONS PRODUCTION: Anything can be art. Movements such Post-minimalism, an art movement New work by the Belgian duo Tom & – as ready-made art and Dadaism were from the 1970s, adding pure Lien Dekyvere, regular guests of the born from this thought. The Dutch light aesthetics to the everyday objects festival, can be found at the entrance artist Meke Vrienten refers to it with her and materials used. This also applies to the IJzerpark. This time, they created monument, a tribute to the bulbs that to the crackling and fascinating light a mobile in the vein of the kinetic art are so important in our daily lives, even art work by the Dutch Tropism Art & by Alexander Calder and others. It though we no longer pay attention to Science Collective. Just as with the concerns the interaction between them. However, the work is also a sharp American post-minimalist artist Bruce entities, and more specifically between criticism of our indifferent urge Nauman, text and form create an people. The light art sculpture shows how to consume. expressive whole. light and shadow can generate effects. NATURAL LIGHT THIS IS IT, BE HERE NOW MACHINA Corner of Zeedijk Corner of Dumortierlaan, and Strandstraat Kustlaan – A. Bréartstraat IJzerpark entrance COMMISSIONED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF KNOKKE-HEIST OF KNOKKE-HEIST COUNCIL THE MUNICIPAL BY COMMISSIONED MANU BRAFF JEAN PIERRE DESCHEPPER, CONCEPT:

MY LIGHT IS YOUR LIGHT BUNCH OF TULIPS OPEN MINDED Corner of Elizabetlaan Driehoeksplein Dumortierlaan, and Kustlaan Church of the Holy Heart More, bigger, more colourful! Even if you’re not an art connoisseur, The pop art movement glorifies Graffiti is art and Banksy is the you’ve probably heard of The Scream popular culture. This kitschy (anonymous) figurehead. But you can by Edvard Munch, which is widely creation by the Hungarian create breathtaking street art using light regarded as the first expressionist artist duo Péter Koros and as well. The Dutch duo Studio Giftig is painting. In his installation My Light Is Réka Magyar is almost a literal best known for its realistic murals, and Your Light, the Lebanese artist Alaa reconstruction of a work of art by they add another dimension to this with Minawai refers to that penetrating style Jeff Koons. It refers to the ‘Tulip Open Minded. It is an enormous wall in his own way. We see the neon profiles Mania’, an inexplicable hype projection that constantly transforms. of six refugees, which radiate a mixture that captivated the Netherlands Ivo Schoofs (Kinetic Humor) brings the of resignation and hope. in the early 17th century. artwork to life with light. 26/ TAKE A LOOK INSIDE

Guy and Louis Mortreu found their inspiration for the renovation of the villa from architects Richard Neutra and Frank Lloyd Wright. For example, the wooden porch was replaced by an extension with a delicate cast-iron structure. TAKE A LOOK INSIDE /27

‘T ZOUTE LIFE FOR FATHER AND SON GUY AND LOUIS MORTREU

As a father, what do you want to give to your son: talent and happiness? An eye for beauty? Entrepreneurial know-how? Or… the love of the good life by the sea. Guy Mortreu (61), fashion entrepreneur and passionate architecture and classic car enthusiast, passed it all on all this love to his children. He and his youngest son, Louis, welcome us to Villa O.K., a modern gem from the sixties that they renovated together. Guy and Louis: “Spending time in ‘t Zoute during the holidays is a family tradition.” Text: Katrijn Serneels / Photography: Karel Duerinckx

“KNOKKE-HEIST IS A FASHION CITY BY THE SEA”

he outside world knows Guy Mortreu as the man who put the fashion brands Julia June, Giovane, and T Amania Mo on the map. Or as the gentleman behind the wheel of his Jaguar E-type ’62 during the classic car races. But he also has hidden talents, to which his son Louis can attest: “My mother and he are wonderfully creative cooks. We never have the same thing on the table during the holidays. My parents then stand in the kitchen stirring in the pots, while I sit with my brother and sisters and their sweethearts chatting, or taking a long walk along the sea or through Het Zwin. I always look forward to spending the winter holidays together again and having a good time here in ‘t Zoute.”

Spending the holidays on the coast is a tradition in many families. What is your first memory on holidays spent in Knokke-Heist? Guy: “My aunt had an apartment here and I spent many beautiful holidays with her as a little boy. I especially remember the summer days, full of building sandcastles, looking for crabs and shrimp on the breakwaters, which my aunt then prepared and we ate together. But also Siska’s waffles, those heart-shaped, delicious waffles and the big playground they had; I loved them as a boy.” Louis: “Yes, the waffles from Siska’s; you gave me a taste of them at a young age. But my first memories also go 28/ TAKE A LOOK INSIDE

Knokke-Heist, but a lot of folks out in public are very fashion-conscious. In Antwerp, where I studied product development, you see subcultures with their own distinct style. They’re picked up by the fashion academy there, back to the beach, where I built castles with my brother which is how you get new trends. Here, by the sea, you’ll and sisters. Meanwhile, Mum helped make the paper find many people with a love of fashion, who like to buy flowers we put on our castle; there must have been a and wear those new trends.” hundred of them! We sold a lot of them in exchange for How come you’re not the next generation of Mortreu to couteaux (razor shells, ed.).” be active in fashion, Louis? “When we were a little older, we also sold bracelets and Louis: “As a child, you like to imitate what your parents rings that we made ourselves with nylon thread and Swarovski pearls. While my older brother tended the cash register, I was working on the creative development, but my sisters were the best at selling. Oh yeah, if we put our minds to something as a family, even if it’s selling bracelets or paper flowers, we like to tackle it thoroughly… Our parents’ entrepreneurial spirit may have had a lot to do with this; we’d often sit and listen to their conversations at the kitchen table.”

You are now a trinity when it comes to entrepreneurship: Mortreu grandfather, father, and son. How did that happen? Guy: “My parents were active in the fashion agency sector; they bought collections which were then resold to boutiques and shops. I never studied fashion, but I started making my own designs for collections when I was nineteen. I gained my knowledge in my parents’ business and learned the tricks of the trade about fabrics and cuts, fashion and trends, customers and shops… My wife and I developed our own fashion brands: Julia June, Giovane, and Amania Mo.” Louis: “We all got some kind of fashion sense from our parents. Going to the baker’s in sweats on Sunday or hanging around the house in pyjamas… that was not GUY MORTREU (61) done. We were then kindly reminded to wear something else. I myself would describe my style as comfortable • Started working as an independent fashion agent in 1978 and elegant with a twist. For example, I love Bellerose, and created his own collections in the 1980s. but several Japanese-inspired brands as well. My older • Took over the fashion company for which he worked for brother, who started his career in finance, likes to dress a many years in 2007 and renamed it Mortreu Fashion Design. little more classically, more like my father.” • Created several successful fashion labels together with his wife, Dorine Tanghe, including Giovane and Julia June. How would you describe your clothing style, Guy? Do • The company was sold to Veerle Baert-Moortgat, who at you fit into the picture of the typical Knokke-Heist look, that time runs the fashion label Furore with her daughter, with red pants and blue blazer? in 2017. Guy: “No, that’s not my personal style, but those red • Now focuses on his first passion: restoring buildings and pants are perfect for someone with a more flamboyant classic cars and racing in rally competitions. personality, like our Mayor Leopold Lippens. I see fashion as an extension of your personality, a way of expressing who you are, what you want to represent. I LOUIS MORTREU (22) like to wear durable, finely cut, and beautiful fabrics in shades that are not too conspicuous.” • Studied architectural design at Sint-Lucas and product development at the University of Antwerp. Would you call Knokke-Heist a fashion city? • Shares a passion for art, architecture, classic cars, and design Guy: “If you look at other coastal cities in Europe, you with his father. could definitely call Knokke-Heist a fashion city by the • Launched Just Russel (www.justrussel.com), a premium sea. The range and variety of shops and brands on offer is personalised dog food label which can be delivered to your as large as in a metropolis like Brussels or Antwerp.” home, early this year. Louis: “New trends don’t develop that quickly in TAKE A LOOK INSIDE /29

are doing; there were often remnants of fabric in our Today’s technological capabilities allow us to create a home. I’d use it to make clothes for my younger sisters’ personalised diet, which can easily solve the obesity issue. Barbies. We didn’t have a PlayStation; we were often Just Russel stands for health and ease of use.” busy being creative or playing outside. I followed the science-mathematics track in secondary school, but only You and your father quickly agreed that you wanted to really found my feet in Sint-Lucas during the fifth and renovate Villa O.K. in the original 1960s style. How did sixth years: interior design and architectural design were you find out about the villa in the first place? really my thing. So I continued my studies and delved Guy: “In addition to fashion, I also have a passion for into product development as well. I’m intrigued by how special buildings and classic cars. I got both from my to create something new that brings more beauty and parents. My children grew up in a special house: an old quality into people’s daily lives, preferably in a sustainable Victorian gem in Baarle-Drongen. So when we heard way. So my interest goes much deeper than just fashion.” through the grapevine that Villa O.K., built in 1959, was “The idea of starting a business together with a classmate for sale, we actually quickly came to an agreement with grew. That became Just Russel, where you can order the owners, an older couple from Lille.” custom dog food with natural ingredients and “I love this villa because it is a maverick among have it delivered to your home. When our own the typical cottage-style villas in Knokke. When labrador Happy was still alive, he, like many “BY THE SEA, my wife and I made the decision to leave our dogs, got overweight at one point or another. YOU’LL FIND fashion business to the Baert-Moortgat family I noticed that it wasn’t easy to find custom, in 2017, it was so I could have more time for the quality food. So we decided to do it ourselves. MANY PEOPLE other passions in my life. It was a great pleasure WITH A LOVE OF FASHION” ELEKTRISCHE JAGUAR I-PACE I GOT THE POWER

VANAF € 499 PER MAAND* Breng meer spanning in uw leven met de elektrische Jaguar I-PACE. Hij laat u genieten van opwindende prestaties (320pk), praktisch gemak en tot 470 km (WLTP) rijbereik. Opladen kan snel thuis, op het werk of onderweg dankzij de nieuwe 11 kW driefasen lader. En doordat hij geen schadelijke emissies uitstoot, is de I-PACE 100 % fiscaal aftrekbaar, met een VAA vanaf € 87 per maand. De Jaguar I-PACE EV320 is een elektrische wagen met de power om uw leven te veranderen. Deze Limited Edition is beschikbaar vanaf € 64.990 (nettoprijs)**, tot eind 2020. Ontdek hem zelf tijdens een proefrit.

Spegelaere Legeweg 180, 8200 Brugge T. 050/32.33.50 www.spegelaere.com

0 L/100KM. CO2 : 0 G/KM Jaguar Care standaard. Contacteer uw concessiehouder voor alle informatie over de fiscaliteit van uw voertuig. Milieu-informatie (KB 19/03/04): jaguar. be. Geef voorrang aan veiligheid. ** Nettoprijs mogelijk gemaakt dankzij een gezamenlijke inspanning van Jaguar Land Rover Belux en uw Jaguar-verdeler. *Financiële renting met aankoopoptie van 20 %, over een periode van 60 maanden. Enkel bestemd voor professionele doeleinden. Onder voorbehoud van aanvaarding van uw dossier door Jaguar Land Rover Financial Services, handelsnaam van FCA Bank, Belgisch filiaal van FCA Bank S.p.A., verhuurder, Jules Cockxstraat 8-10, 1160 Oudergem met als maatschappelijke zetel Corso Agnelli 200, 10135 Torino - Italië. RPR: Brussel. KBO: 0699.630.712. Voorbeeld op basis van geldende voorwaarden op 01/09/2020. Catalogusprijs van het voertuig: € 53.710,74 excl. btw, voorschot van € 13.635,69 excl. btw. Aanbod geldig zolang de voorraad strekt en uiterlijk tot 31/12/2020.

Spegelaere_P05258_JGBE_BENL_I-PACE_210x275mm.indd 1 13/10/20 11:16 ELEKTRISCHE JAGUAR I-PACE TAKE A LOOK INSIDE /31 I GOT THE POWER

to be able to immerse myself in this together with Louis. If I were young again, I’d make the same educational choice he did.” Louis: “The entire family first went to live in the villa in its original plans. We didn’t think it really fit the style of the original state for a while. That way, we could feel the spaces villa, which is why we replaced it with a glass extension better, to know how we wanted to live in them, where the with a delicate cast-iron structure. That matches the morning sun falls best, which spot in the garden is best to modern ambience of the villa perfectly.” read a book… Then we started researching to find out more about the history of the property.” The villa has also been given a Californian vibe, with fan Guy: “We studied the watercolour illustrations of the palms and yuccas in the garden. Do you feel like you’re villa done by architect De Clerck, went in search of his in ’t Zoute or more like you’re in Ibiza when you sit out sources of inspiration and his contemporaries, and ended here in the summer? up in Southern California, near a number of houses Guy: “Absolutely; you really feel like you’re nestled among that Richard Neutra built there. From Neutra, it was the dunes by the sea, between ‘t Zoute and Het Zwin, only a small step to Frank Lloyd Wright, who pioneered with our beautiful view of the undulating landscape…” steel constructions. His work inspired us to replace the Louis: “If you take a picture here and don’t mention that unwieldy wooden veranda, which was not on De Clerck’s you’re in Knokke-Heist, you’d almost think you could be anywhere in the world. Ibiza, the United States….”

We can’t forget your beautiful classic car either. Guy: “Even as a little boy, I was fascinated by beautiful cars, like Porsche. For me, classic cars are so much more than a collector’s item. Some collectors prefer to leave them in the garage all year round and only take them outside for rallies; I like to drive them. That beautiful purr of the engine, you have to be able to hear it roar… it’s not made to stand still; it’s made to drive.” Louis: “If I could make one wish for the new year, then it would be that next year’s Zoute Rally can go on as before. All those people who come to see the cars on the track… There are often enthusiasts who have various models on their wish lists that they want to see. When you see VANAF € 499 PER MAAND* how happy they get once they’ve spotted their favourite classic car… that makes me happy too.” Breng meer spanning in uw leven met de elektrische Jaguar I-PACE. Hij laat u genieten van opwindende prestaties (320pk), praktisch gemak en tot 470 km Julia June, A. Bréartstraat 16, juliajune.com (WLTP) rijbereik. Opladen kan snel thuis, op het werk of onderweg dankzij de Giovane (Her), Lippenslaan 330, her.be nieuwe 11 kW driefasen lader. En doordat hij geen schadelijke emissies uitstoot, is de I-PACE 100 % fiscaal aftrekbaar, met een VAA vanaf € 87 per maand. De Jaguar I-PACE EV320 is een elektrische wagen met de power om uw leven te veranderen. Deze Limited Edition is beschikbaar vanaf € 64.990 (nettoprijs)**, tot eind 2020. Ontdek hem zelf tijdens een proefrit.

Spegelaere Legeweg 180, 8200 Brugge T. 050/32.33.50 www.spegelaere.com “IT WAS A GREAT PLEASURE TO BE ABLE TO IMMERSE MYSELF IN RENOVATING 0 L/100KM. CO2 : 0 G/KM THE VILLA TOGETHER Jaguar Care standaard. Contacteer uw concessiehouder voor alle informatie over de fiscaliteit van uw voertuig. Milieu-informatie (KB 19/03/04): jaguar. be. Geef voorrang aan veiligheid. ** Nettoprijs mogelijk gemaakt dankzij een gezamenlijke inspanning van Jaguar Land Rover Belux en uw Jaguar-verdeler. WITH LOUIS” *Financiële renting met aankoopoptie van 20 %, over een periode van 60 maanden. Enkel bestemd voor professionele doeleinden. Onder voorbehoud van aanvaarding van uw dossier door Jaguar Land Rover Financial Services, handelsnaam van FCA Bank, Belgisch filiaal van FCA Bank S.p.A., verhuurder, Jules Cockxstraat 8-10, 1160 Oudergem met als maatschappelijke zetel Corso Agnelli 200, 10135 Torino - Italië. RPR: Brussel. KBO: 0699.630.712. Voorbeeld op basis van geldende voorwaarden op 01/09/2020. Catalogusprijs van het voertuig: € 53.710,74 excl. btw, voorschot van € 13.635,69 excl. btw. Aanbod geldig zolang de voorraad strekt en uiterlijk tot 31/12/2020.

Spegelaere_P05258_JGBE_BENL_I-PACE_210x275mm.indd 1 13/10/20 11:16 32/ ALL NATURAL

ees as environmental guardians?” we hear you OUR REGIONS ARE ABUZZ asking. Absolutely. You probably already knew B that bees contribute to biodiversity through their By now, everybody knows that the bees aren’t activities. They pollinate plants and flowers and thus ensure that nature survives in all its glory, but also that doing well. It’s an alarming state of affairs mankind continues to survive. Because without the because these little buzzing creatures are a bees to pollinate things, we wouldn’t have fruits and vegetables to eat. But bees are also very useful when it useful and important link in nature. Years ago, comes to gathering information about the state of our Knokke-Heist was the first municipality that environment. The honey and pollen they collect contain a lot of information about the environment. About the jumped on the bandwagon of using bees as true plants found there, pesticides used there, food sources for environmental guardians. This project quickly pollinating insects, and the survivability of bees. These are all useful indicators that tell something about how a took off thanks to the collaboration with the certain area is doing. social enterprise BeeOdiversity. A BEEUTIFUL PARTNERSHIP TeXt: Sarah Tulkens The municipality of Knokke-Heist has been active in the field of bee protection for years. In 2011, flower

BEES WELCOME IN KNOKKE-HEIST ALL NATURAL /33

meadows were created to attract bees and other “Our mission at BeeOdiversity is to make the world beneficial insects and provide a safe living environment. a better place by helping to restore the quality of It’s a first step in actively promoting biodiversity. the earth, air, and water,” says Dr Nguyen. “We Three years and many more great initiatives later, our can’t do this alone, of course, so we’ve developed municipality joined forces with the Belgian, now globally innovative strategies and facilities that allow others renowned, socially responsible company BeeOdiversity to work with the same mission. For example, six to raise its efforts to a higher level and to carry out years ago, Mayor Lippens addressed us about his scientific environmental monitoring. The driving force municipality, where a lot of great initiatives were behind BeeOdiversity is Dr Bach Kim Nguyen, who already underway at that time. In 2015, Knokke- wanted to transform the conclusions from his doctoral Heist even won the ‘Bee-Friendliest Municipality study on the bee problem to real life. of Flanders’ prize from the Environment Department. We at BeeOdiversity could and wanted to join in that.”

“SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE 100 384 IS NOT ONLY ABOUT THE plus BeeOdiversity different ENVIRONMENT. PEOPLE AND projects are species ECONOMY ARE EQUALLY active in of bees 11 countries in Belgium CRUCIAL PARAMETERS.”

THE ENVIRONMENT IN DETAIL BeeOdiversity developed a monitoring system in which pollen collected by the bee colonies in the municipality is regularly screened in laboratories. This provides valuable information about, for example, heavy metals in the air and the DNA of plant species present. “In the first instance, our cooperation with the municipality leads to awareness-raising. We share the collected and analysed information not only with the competent services, but also with the residents themselves. This way, everyone contributes to the project,” clarifies Dr Nguyen. In addition to raising awareness, there is also concrete action. For example, BeeOdiversity advises the municipality on when, where, and which plants need to be added to boost biodiversity. The inhabitants are also involved TURN YOUR GARDEN OR in this, by distributing flower seeds, for example. BALCONY INTO THE PLACE TO BEE “It might seem like peanuts if you’re just planting a few plants in your front yard. But if everyone on the Want to start making your own little parcel of green space whole street does that, you can create a beautiful bee-friendly? It’s pretty easy. Visit www.knokke-heist.be/ place for insects to indulge themselves. Since the bijen to find lots of useful facts and links under the section beginning of our cooperation, the number of plant ‘Zet je in’ (Lend a helping hand) that will help you on your species in Knokke-Heist has practically doubled. way to choosing the right plants and flowers or to making So the locals are doing really well!” says Dr Nguyen your own insect hotel. Under the heading ‘Advies voor’ with a great deal of pride. (Tips), you’ll find a whole series of tips for gardening in a nature-friendly way, i.e., without pesticides that are GOOD STUDENT harmful to insects. BeeOdiversity has over 100 ongoing projects in eleven different countries. The fact that four of the five bee sites in Knokke-Heist are among the top 10 in terms of biodiversity is quite significant. Dr Nguyen is very happy with the cooperation in

ALL NATURAL /35

Knokke-Heist. “We are working very smoothly with the stakeholders of this project. It is important to see the bigger picture and look at all aspects of change. Take the use of harmful pesticides, for example. This WHAT’S NEXT? is prohibited in Knokke-Heist as from 1 January, for Knokke-Heist will continue to work with BeeOdiversity obvious reasons. Except for professional use since other in the future to make the municipality an even better factors play a role here than just a ‘beautiful garden’. place to live. Not just for people, but for fauna and flora as The practical and economic reasons are decisive for well. “A project is now underway in collaboration with the farmers and growers, so you need to discuss how you University of Liège,” says Dr Nguyen. “We want to study can come up with alternatives that offer a good solution how well other bee species are doing in Knokke-Heist. for all parties with those people. Sustainable enterprise Because the honey bee, with which we work to collect our is not only about the environment. People and economy data, is only one of 384 species of bees living in Belgium. are equally crucial parameters.” Naturally, these other 383 species are also important for the preservation and promotion of biodiversity. We have to create the right environment and provide new plants for them, too.” In recent years, BeeOdiversity has been able to add many awards and nominations to its list of achievements. And a handsome medal was added recently thanks to the globally renowned Social Innovation Tournament 2020. Knokke-Heist is in good hands! And paws too, of course.

DID YOU KNOW… ... that we invited no less than 49 local garden contractors to participate in our pesticide-free gardening £training course this year? 2011 TOP 10 the year in which 4 of the 5 bee sites the municipality of in Knokke-Heist are among Knokke-Heist actively the top 10 in terms of began to protect the bees biodiversity

LEARNING IS THE BEE’S KNEES

Our municipality has three cycling routes and a walking route that take you to places where you can learn a lot about bees and other insects, flowers, plants, and biodiversity. You can join a Natuurpunt guided tour or explore on your own using the map and educational questionnaire. All the info can be found on www.knokke-heist.be/bijen under the section ‘Dit doen we al’ (Works in Progress) and the header ‘Fiets- en wandelroutes in Knokke-Heist’ (Cycling and walking routes in Knokke-Heist). Phillippe Timmermans Bronzen beelden

Pieter Vanden Daele Bronzen beelden

Een kunstgalerie waar je rustig kan zoeken en ontdekken. Tot je dat speciale werk ziet waar je zeker van gaat houden, zodat je het niet meer kan missen en het een onvervangbaar deel wordt van je thuis.

Wij zoeken een tweetalige vaste medewerk(st)er/toekomstig Gallery Manager. Meer info op earlybirdsart.com/jobs Dumortierlaan 38 · 8300 Knokke-Heist · [email protected] · www.earlybirdsart.com Phillippe Timmermans Bronzen beelden

Pieter Vanden Daele Bronzen beelden

Een kunstgalerie waar je rustig kan zoeken en ontdekken. Tot je dat speciale werk ziet waar je zeker van gaat houden, zodat je het niet meer kan missen en het een onvervangbaar deel wordt van je thuis.

Wij zoeken een tweetalige vaste medewerk(st)er/toekomstig Gallery Manager. Meer info op earlybirdsart.com/jobs Dumortierlaan 38 · 8300 Knokke-Heist · [email protected] · www.earlybirdsart.com 38/

24 HOURS IN KNOKKE-HEIST Just the two of you Stroll along the beach, enjoy a delicious meal and see some art together. With the fresh sea breeze in your face, winter is also a great period to visit Knokke-Heist with that special someone.

MARIE-ROSE BAKERY CLASSIC CARS THE ZWIN NATURE PARK

9 a.m. 11 a.m.

9 a.m. A royal breakfast... After all, a good Marreyt Classic Cars, Dumortierlaan 116, But there are several other classics on the breakfast is the perfect way to start a marreyt.com/en/about-us/experience-room route that are worth a visit, both for their fantastic day out. Whether you want a cuisine and for the sake of nostalgia. We luxurious breakfast with pancakes, bread like to visit Brasserie Rubens for their tasty rolls and eggs or a healthier version 11 a.m. shrimp croquettes. featuring granola and fresh fruit, there are Even in the cold winter months, the Zwin rubens-knokke.be plenty of options. There are also lots of Nature Park is still an enchanting place full of places where you can drop in for breakfast natural beauty. The visitor centre stays open every day. If this is not possible due to (subject to reservation) and outdoors, you 3 p.m. corona measures, the owners will be only can still access the Zwinvlakte and the cabin Art and culture in Knokke-Heist There too pleased to make a home delivery. trail (also subject to reservation). It is best to is always something to see at our two knokke-heist.be/delivery/breakfast-tea check the current measures before departure, museums, Sincfala and the For Freedom room but a walk through the wintery Zwin is a Museum, but there are several other gems permanent feature on our bucket list. worth seeing in the wider Zwijnstreek area, zwin.be such as the visitor centre in Damme or the 10 a.m. Bizarium in Sluis. Never mind if everything Knokke-Heist and vintage cars is a match is closed - we have plenty of statues made in heaven. An exclusive showroom 1 p.m. outdoors. Don’t forget to post your photos, that features a new iconic car every month Every season there are lots of new bistros tagged #mykh! opened for visitors this summer. It is well and restaurants to discover. Lobster ‘n rolls myknokke-heist.be/en/experience/art worth a visit! opened on the Zeedijk in early December. culture-museums AROUND THE CLOCK /39

BRASSERIE RUBENS ART AND CULTURE LIGHT ART

THE PHARMACY CAILLOU ENSO BOUTIQUE HOTEL

19 p.m. 22 p.m.

5 p.m. 10 p.m. During the darkest months of the combinations and catchy names such For the ultimate holiday feeling, end the year, we still have plenty of light. as No monkey business, Kisses or Yes, perfect day in one of Knokke-Heist’s We will be holding the third edition we have no bananas. hotels, B&Bs or holiday homes. Whether of Light ART, which is all about thepharmacy.bar you opt for the luxury of La Réserve or modern art this year. Enjoy this Pavillon du Zoute or a unique boutique wonderful spectacle from 5 p.m. hotel such as ENSO, you can be sure of to 9 p.m. from 19 -23 and 25- 30 8 p.m. pampering. By the way, did you know December In the new year the lights Knokke-Heist is the perfect place that all hotels in Knokke-Heist can be will still be shining on 1, 2 and 3 for lovers of good food and fine found in one handy overview on visit January. dining. Whether you choose one of KH? Sleep well! All info can be found on our Michelin-starred restaurants or myknokke-heist.be/en/night page 22 of this magazine. prefer to follow the Gault&Millau or visitkh.be ratings, you really cannot go wrong here. Nowadays you can also take 7 p.m. away nearly all of the dishes and turn After an active day outdoors filled your own home into a star restaurant with culinary discoveries and culture, with the help of a simple manual. it’s time for an aperitif! The most If we could recommend just one Surf to myknokke-heist.be for famous cocktail bar of Knokke- restaurant, we would say be sure to more tips, addresses, and Heist (and far beyond) always pay Caillou a visit. our full calendar of vibrant surprises visitors with their unique restaurantcaillou.be events in KH. CROWN ZOUTEDUIN

NIEUWE PROJECTEN TE KNOKKE TORONTO

TE KOOP

CROWN IMMAX – Open zicht & op een centrale locatie KONINGSLAAN 131 – Opp. van 104 – 198 m² KNOKKE ZOUTEDUIN 050 62 44 14 – Op wandelafstand van de zee, WWW.IMMAX.BEIMMAX de Kustlaan en Royal Zoute Golf Club. KONINGSLAAN 131 – Opp. 133 m² + private tuin KNOKKE NIEUW KANTOOR TORONTO 050 62 44 14 EENTE REALISATIE BRUGGE VAN – Gelegen vlakbij de Zeedijk & Rubensplein. WWW.IMMAX.BEMoerkerkse Steenweg 1 – Opp. van 109 tot 318 m² 8310 Brugge

EEN REALISATIE VAN AD_KH43_BENL_IMMAX_03.indd 1 17/11/2020 13:54 QUESTION & ANSWER /41

Monday and come back on Friday already. That’s why we soon decided to come live here permanently.”

What can we do for you as the Honorary Consul General of the Netherlands in Belgium? “As an Honorary Consul General, you don’t have to apply for a new passport or visa yourself; they do that for you at the CROWN ZOUTEDUIN embassy in Brussels. I am mainly an advisor for companies, citizens, and institutions that want to do business in or from the Netherlands: as a West Flemish native who has worked in the Netherlands for over 25 years, I understand the way of working and living in both countries very well. That makes me a bridge builder with an extensive network. I’ve already received some questions from industrial companies and start-ups that wanted to become active in Belgium. And a healthcare institution asked how they could best start a cross-border collaboration.”

What do you think of the major assets of Het Zwin region, and of Knokke-Heist, in particular? 5 “The quality of life, the presence of the sea questions and other natural areas, the proximity of the for border, and the proximity of a central city like Bruges for the entire Zwin region. These “YOU CAN TAKE THE BOY are all opportunities that are not available elsewhere as a matter of course. Thanks to its art OUT OF KNOKKE-HEIST, galleries, fine-dining restaurants, luxury shops, cultural BUT YOU CAN’T TAKE activities, the golf course, and the cultural centre, Knokke- Heist is a municipality with many of the characteristics of a KNOKKE-HEIST OUT OF THE BOY.” big city without its disadvantages. Mayor Lippens even once Jan Lagasse, new Honorary Consul General compared Knokke-Heist to the Gallic village of Asterix, of the Netherlands in Knokke-Heist with his magic potion.” What areas of tension can you see in Het Zwin region: “In Knokke-Heist, you have all the advantages of a big port versus nature? city without the disadvantages, such as traffic jams, “The Belgian coast, barely sixty kilometres long, is little green space, commotion, crime, and pollution,” incredibly small compared to the Dutch coast. In a way, says Jan Lagasse, the recently appointed new it’s a shame that the coast in Belgium can’t just be a pure Honorary Consul General of the Netherlands in Belgium. chunk of nature. On the other hand, the port of Zeebrugge Because of Lagasse, the consulate moved from Ghent offers employment that is separate from tourism and to Knokke-Heist immediately. NIEUWE PROJECTEN TE KNOKKE therefore reduces the region’s vulnerability. Thanks to the TORONTO Text: Katrijn Serneels / Photo: Belga Image presence of Fluxys and its pipeline network, Zeebrugge is also an energy port, so that a part of the much-needed TE KOOP What are your earliest memories of Knokke-Heist? energy transition can take place via this port.” “I especially remember collecting couteaux (razor shells, CROWN IMMAX ed.) on the beach when I was a boy, digging holes in the What are your favourite places in Knokke-Heist? – Open zicht & op een centrale locatie KONINGSLAAN 131 sand… Not just during the holidays, either, because we’d go “There are too many to mention, but when I have something – Opp. van 104 – 198 m² and play on the beach after school when the weather was important to celebrate, I go to Cuines,33. I’ve already KNOKKE nice. When I was a little older, I collected glass bottles. I’d been able to sit down at some of the best restaurants in ZOUTEDUIN 050 62 44 14 use the few coins I got as the deposit to buy ice cream. We the Benelux, but Cuines,33 is a phenomenal jewel in our – Op wandelafstand van de zee, WWW.IMMAX.BEIMMAX moved to Bruges when I was 12 and I was heartbroken. But municipality. Edwin Menue and his wife Fleur compose I always say, You can take the boy out of Knokke, but you various culinary masterpieces every day just as skilfully as de Kustlaan en Royal Zoute Golf Club. KONINGSLAAN 131 – Opp. 133 m² + private tuin can’t take Knokke out of the boy. After wandering around Modest Mussorgsky composed his piano suite ‘Paintings KNOKKE Belgium and abroad, I returned home to Knokke-Heist. of an exhibition’. Some of my other favourite places are St. NIEUW KANTOOR First as a second-home owner during the weekends, until Vincent’s Church in Ramskapelle, the Dominican Church TORONTO 050TE BRUGGE 62 44 14 EEN REALISATIE VAN I noticed that I was always looking for reasons to leave on in Zoute, and the Knokke-Heist library.” – Gelegen vlakbij de Zeedijk & Rubensplein. WWW.IMMAX.BEMoerkerkse Steenweg 1 – Opp. van 109 tot 318 m² 8310 Brugge

EEN REALISATIE VAN AD_KH43_BENL_IMMAX_03.indd 1 17/11/2020 13:54 42/ FULL APPETITE

THE YOUNGEST MASTER CHOCOLATIER CONQUERS KNOKKE-HEIST “Getting

Greg Van Avermaet’s bicycle, the Swedish king’s crown, and carte the cruise ship in the Zeebrug- ge terminal. What do these three things have in common? They’re all made by Oliver Van blanche Nueten. Well, the chocolate versions, at least. There’s no re- quest too crazy for the 22-year- old master chocolatier who, is the best after two years in Zeebrugge, is now setting up shop in the Lippenslaan. Text: Kristof Vanderhoeven / Karel Duerinckx compliment” FULL APPETITE /43

“Getting carte blanche is the best compliment”

“I’M ALREADY

That must have felt like coming home… THINKING OF for commercial properties are a bit more Oliver Van Nueten: “Oh, you can be sure of THE NEXT STEP: democratic – but Knokke-Heist is naturally a that. I’ve spent time abroad from the age of INTERNATIONAL different matter. I might have started here in the nine until I was fourteen – my parents travelled middle of the full-blown COVID-19 period, but all over the world as medical consultants – but EXPANSION” even in those circumstances, I consider Knokke- I’ve been living in Knokke-Heist again since Heist to be a big step up just in terms of traffic in the age of fourteen and I like it a lot. Not in the least and around the shop.” because there’s no better place to be as an avid surfer and longboarder. And of course, this also applies to my work We notice you’re mixing a lot of English in with your as a chocolatier.” Flemish, but we won’t hold it against you and we won’t start calling you the Astrid Nuyens of chocolatiers just What’s the difference with Zeebrugge in that respect? yet. ;) “The charisma of the city and the amount of people “Haha, thanks. (grins) Growing up abroad changes here. Zeebrugge was a good place to start – the rents you in a certain way. Not only in terms of language, 44/ FULL APPETITE

Oliver Van Nueten creates the craziest sculptures out of chocolate, from guitars and submarines to Porsches and Star Wars figures. but also in terms of mentality. I’ve only just started in Knokke-Heist and I’m already thinking about the next step: international expansion. Mind you, I would never abandon Knokke-Heist, so if I could – and that’s a big if – it would be an and-and story. I can really see myself opening a business in Los Angeles. I can’t deny that this desire to travel is part of the reason why I have fallen so much in love with this profession. On top of that, just being a Belgian abroad is like being a bit of a chocolate expert anyway, so I’d better try to take advantage of that.”

As a young chocolatier in Belgium, it’s probably not easy to set yourself apart from well-known chocolatiers such as Dominique Persoone and David Maenhout. So how did you manage it so quickly? “I know both Dominique and David pretty well, and while Dominique is a source of inspiration and I really admire him, David is truly my mentor. I did an apprenticeship with him and even worked in the business for him as a student for a while. He really taught me a lot. I have to admit that I was a bit afraid that he would hold a little grudge if I opened up a shop here in Knokke-Heist, but the opposite is true. We still meet regularly and we even send customers to each other. We’re not really in each other’s niche either, in the sense that David is mainly the man of the great pralines and I’ve focused more on chocolate sculptures.”

Which doesn’t take away from the fact that you, too, have seven pralines on offer and hold workshops in addition to making your sculptures. “That’s right. I’ve already created more than a hundred different pralines – with the caramel praline as the absolute audience favourite – and I have a lot of fun from the different workshops I teach. It feels good to be able to share your passion with others. That’s why I offer one-hour workshops for the absolute beginner, as well as workshops of several hours for the slightly more “I REALLY ADMIRE advanced chocolate maker. But those large sculptures DOMINIQUE PERSOONE, give me the most freedom to express my creativity. That was immediately clear when I started at Ter Groene BUT DAVID MAENHOUT Poorte as a fourteen-year-old. I didn’t know in advance IS TRULY MY MENTOR.” whether I wanted to become a chef, pastry chef, or chocolatier, but after the first introduction to the fabulousness of chocolate, I knew I wanted to work with FULL APPETITE /45

a great urge to create. There’s nothing like getting carte blanche from a customer. Because that’s a huge compliment, on the one hand, and because, on the other, I can go all out with my creativity thanks to that customer confidence. A lot of the times, I don’t even know how something should be done technically speaking and if that construction is even possible at all, but then I just put on my headphones and I become completely Zen. That feeling of sitting in your creative bubble and feeling both the sense of time and all the background noise disappear can’t be compared to anything else in the world.”

‘Anything is possible… if it’s made of chocolate’ is the Van Nueten Chocolates tagline and that says even more about your attitude than about chocolate itself, if that’s even possible. “I got this from that international aspect of my upbringing. The typical Belgian modesty is strange to me, although I’m still not going to be shouting from the rooftops that I’m the best. I dare say that I dream of an international career, but at the same time I realise that I Discover KH’s best chocolate shops! still have a lot to learn. Especially when I see everything • Van Nueten Chocolates, Lippenslaan 170 that someone like Amaury Guichon (the Swiss master www.vannueten-chocolates.com chocolatier with a studio in Las Vegas, ed.) is able to • Chocolatier M, Sylvain Dupuisstraat 38, www.chocolatier-m.be create. What’s nice is that he shares almost all of this • Les Chocolats du Sablon, Elizabetlaan 5 • Luc Rotsaert, Het Walletje 54, www.luc-rotsaert.com through his social media. I can learn a lot from him just • Moeder Babelutte, Lippenslaan 22a, and Moeder Babelutte Café, by watching those videos. But it would be a dream come Graaf d’Ursellaan 6, www.moederbabelutte.be/knokke true to set up a collaboration with him. And yes, I’ve • Leonidas, Lippenslaan 93, leonidas.com already asked him that via Instagram, although I haven’t • Chocla d’Or, Dumortierlaan 53 got a reply just yet. • Neuhaus, Dumortierlaan 139, neuhauschocolates.com When I receive a request, I always say yes – without • Not Guilty, Zeedijk 682, notguilty.be thinking. When the request came to make Greg Van • Pierre Marcolini, Kustlaan 40, eu.marcolini.com • Chocolat De Luxe, Dumortierlaan 19 Avermaet’s bicycle in chocolate for his victory in the E3 Prize Harelbeke, I just said ‘of course’, without realising that it would take me 95 hours of work – research not included. The same applied to the 1.5-metre-long cruise it for the rest of my life. It doesn’t feel like a job, which is ship that graces the new Zeebrugge terminal. I’d already a good thing because as a 22-year-old, I still have a few agreed even before they asked me. It’s only in retrospect years of work ahead of me.” that I notice how difficult some of the sculptures are, but I’ve never not finished something on time so far. Even the So what exactly makes chocolate such a wonderful crown of the Swedish king – that question came from an product for you? important businessman who was to be received by the “The fact that you can do anything with it. You can Swedish king and gave me carte blanche for an original melt it, process it into other things, assemble it easily… gift – I was able to recreate it down to the smallest detail The possibilities are endless. And that’s an incredible using just a few photos. My parents had to pinch me opportunity for someone with a lot of inspiration and because I couldn’t believe that it had worked.” 46/ FULL APPETITE

It is touching to see how proud your parents are of you. Not only did they give you the chance to discover your passion for chocolate to the fullest, they also gave you your place in the spotlight. “That’s how I feel, too. And I realise only too well just You use a scalpel to shape your chocolate sculptures? how lucky I am. There aren’t many young people in “That, too, is my parents’ influence. Half of my work their twenties who have such a good relationship with materials are the typical tools of the trade used by their parents. My Mum and Dad not only invested in my chocolatiers and the other half are my Dad’s medical business, they also help me out where they can. Mum tools. For example, I rarely use a piping bag, but I do use a makes the pralines and Dad assists me with the creation traditional plastic syringe. It’s also very nice to work with of large sculptures. Together, they teach me the subtleties and it’s even better for the environment because you can of doing business and neither of them shies away from just rinse and reuse that syringe.” helping me during stressful moments. I can still see my Dad drawing windows in that cruise ship with his Do you think it’s important to be an environmentally scalpel.” (laughs) friendly chocolatier as well? “Absolutely. You can’t have a business nowadays and not try to run it as sustainably as possible. For example, we give a two euro discount for people who have their old luxury praline box refilled when they come to buy new pralines. By the way, it would be a shame to throw “THE ULTIMATE DREAM? away those boxes after one use because those are really A COLLABORATION WITH nice ones with a magnetic fastener, so you can easily use THE SWISS CHOCOLATIER them dozens of times. I also make a point of using only cocoa that comes from plantations where good labour AMAURY GUICHON” conditions are perfectly respected. I work with blends from Callebaut and I’ve been to Ghana already, together with them, to see how the people there work on the cocoa plantations. When I was booked as a speaker at an international symposium in Belize last year, I also started gathering information from a few plantations. It’s only logical that the experts in that basic product – because that’s what those people really are – meet with the expert in the finished product. I even sculpted a real Mayan temple – in Belize there is a great Mayan culture – for them on the spot. This way, they could also see exactly what I’m creating with the fabulous product they supply for me.”

It’s said that you are so passionate about your profession that you even start sculpting on holiday… (laughs) “That’s right. I met a fellow chocolatier in Spain who was very interested in my way of working, so I made a TIE Fighter with him in just a few hours because we both happen to be big Star Wars fans. It may sound crazy to work while on holiday, but I don’t see my job as working. I consider myself a lucky guy who was able to turn his passion into his profession.”

Would you call yourself an artist as well as a really lucky guy? “I’m not that immodest, but honesty compels me to say that I am glad when others call me that. The comparison with, say, sculpting is, of course, also quickly made, with the difference being that I work with chocolate instead of marble and that my creations are edible.” YOU DON’T NEED TO TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD TO BUY A HAT

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“BACK TO THE GRANDEUR OF YESTERYEAR, BUT WITH A MODERN LOOK AND FEEL” A FIRST /49

“THE SYMBIOSIS BETWEEN ART AND (GAMING) FUN IN OUR GRAND CASINO IS QUITE UNIQUE IN BELGIUM”

can enjoy tea dances and cabaret in the afternoon, and fill their evenings with unforgettable operas and concerts. The seaside town and the Casino grow into the hotspot of the beau monde and its international appeal grows with the years. Its global appeal is unprecedented. “Knokke-Heist took off like a rocket. Joseph Nellens succeeded like no other in bringing international top players to the Casino and making Knokke-Heist a real attraction,” Véronique explains.

CULTURAL TEMPLE WITH MODERN ART The Second World War breaks out a decade after the 90TH ANNIVERSARY Casino opens. The Casino is not spared. After the OF THE GRAND CASINO KNOKKE liberation, it becomes clear just how badly the building has been hit. Léon Steynen is brought back on board to repair and restore ‘his’ Casino to its former glory. At The Grand Casino of Knokke opened its doors on 5 July the end of the 1940s, the Casino stands tall once again. What’s more, it continues its advance and positions 1930. In no time at all, international stars such as Sinatra itself as a cultural temple on our Belgian coast. Under and Piaf were gracing the evenings with their presence the impetus of Joseph’s son, Gustave Nellens, big names from the music world continue to put the and famous artists were leaving their mark on the interior. Knokke-Heist Casino on their programme. Frank Exactly 90 years after its opening, the Grand Casino has Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel… no star is too big for the Casino. been forced to temporarily close its doors – because… Art enthusiasts also find a new home here. Renowned COVID-19. Now, it’s looking head: to a new beginning, painters such as Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, and Keith Haring exhibit there. But it is the Belgian pride, with a renewed splendour and radiance. René Magritte, who leaves the greatest signature: since Text: Inne Vanden Bremt 1953, his mural, The Enchanted Empire, has been drawing attention in one of the banquet halls, which is later named after him. Numerous events and exclusive happenings then find suitable accommodation in the he Casino is a beacon of modernism emerging in René Magritte room. “When it comes to modern art, Knokke-Heist in 1930. It is the result of Joseph the Casino was progressive. Today, we can be proud of T Nellens’s entrepreneurial passion. An architecture its beautiful patrimony, which is actually still isn’t used competition is organised, with Léon Steynen emerging enough. We want to take even more advantage of this in victorious. “He designed his first fully fledged modernist the future,” emphasises Véronique. According to her, it is structure and thus became the father of several Belgian an enormous gift to be able to connect art and (gaming) casinos, mainly on the coast. Architecturally, the fun. “The symbiosis in our Grand Casino is quite unique building was a milestone,” says director Véronique Seels. in Belgium. We can easily use that to our advantage. The Casino immediately takes off. Major stars from all We also integrate that into actions or competitions. For around the world descend upon Knokke-Heist. People example, we gave away a Magritte lithography this year. 50/ A FIRST

We can be quite proud that we are on the world map.” Casino under Canadasquare and demolishing the current Initially, the gaming room was only open a few months a building. In each of the three scenarios, Magritte’s work year, but the Grand Casino has been open all year round of art is preserved, and there is room for the games room, since 1960. event and conference room, an exhibition space, clubs, bars, and restaurants. The procedure will be completed in STANDING OUT WITH A TOTAL EXPERIENCE the autumn of 2021. The grandeur will be felt especially Offering people an unforgettable total experience, is in the Grand Casino itself. “Everything is fitted out with what the Grand Casino is betting on now more than ever. high-quality material. In addition, our employees are our With an arcade full of premium machines and classic biggest ambassadors. We organise everything in a way tables, with the most experienced players. The attached that distinguishes us from the rest. What we put on the restaurant Mascotte, where chef Christian Van den market is the best. When we give away a prize, we work Ouden conjures up culinary delights, is an experience in with exclusive premium brands, such as Louis Vuitton, and of itself. Hermès… There are even collectors items among them.” The Grand Casino wants to be a place where people RAINING ON THE PARADE feel welcome. And no, that doesn’t mean that you have 2020 should have been a great year, with a massive to be wearing a gala dress or tuxedo to get in, but you festive party on 5 July as the absolute highlight. But COVID-19 swooped in and ruined things with an unprecedented closure. In spring, the doors were forced to close for 109 days. “There’s no mincing our words: that was a major loss for us, in every way. The gaming room closed, actions were cancelled. The Grand Casino as a “THE GRAND CASINO social meeting place disappeared. The grand party also KNOKKE WANTS TO BECOME fell through. But… we’re still here,” says Véronique with determination. “Fortunately, the Grand Casino was able THE MOST UNIQUE CASINO ON to welcome the people again during the summer. And we THE COAST, AND FAR BEYOND, look towards 2021 with very high hopes.” That’s because the Grand Casino Knokke has promising plans. Such as ONCE AGAIN.” those to revive the grandeur of yesteryear, as a unique place of renown throughout Europe.

LUXURIOUS AND CONTEMPORARY Above all, the Grand Casino wants to move (and look) ahead. To embrace the future. Having the grandeur revived doesn’t mean returning to the past. “We don’t want to copy the old splendour. Yes, we look back on a rich, beautiful history. But we also want to reinvent ourselves and be the most luxurious casino in Belgium. And luxury doesn’t equal old-fashioned. We’ve revamped everything so it’s modern and contemporary,” explains Véronique. The starting point? Quality. “That’s what people want. They appreciate the quality of the product and the safety of the environment. And we strive to raise the bar a little higher each time. The nod to the past is there, but we don’t want to fall back on the old glory days.” The ambitious plans for a new building fit in perfectly with this vision of the future. “Our building has now reached a certain age. If we want to continue to provide modern, high-quality events, we must dare to evolve and go with the times. A new or refurbished building must provide a new impetus.”

It’ll be different; that’s the least you can say. In November, the first public consultation was completed and three scenarios now remain: a restoration to its original 1930s state, a complete transformation of the current building according to today’s possibilities, or bringing the Grand A FIRST /51

shouldn’t feel uncomfortable if you do want to dress up. At the same time, we certainly want to emphasise the classy and exclusive appearance of our casino. But everyone is welcome. You come to Knokke-Heist for a nice evening out; that’s not a taboo. Stop by. It’s not for nothing that we are number 1 among the casinos on Tripadvisor,” laughs Veronique Seels. It is clear: the Grand Casino Knokke is counting down to 2021 and to the future. To a new step to The René Magritte brighten up the next 90 years, and make a difference. room will be retained in all possible proposals. This Belgian heirloom is of enormous value.

AMBITIOUS MAKEOVER OF THE PUBLIC SPACE

The public space around the Grand Casino also gets a new ambience. In anticipation of the major works, the car park has already been redesigned and eye-catching planted vases have been added. The entrance on the Zeedijk side will receive warm, atmospheric lighting and an Instagrammable tribute to the rich history of the Grand Casino before the end of the year. The link with contemporary art will be most obvious on the Canadasquare: if everything goes according to plan, phenomenal sculptures will be on display there in the summer of 2021. The new plans also provide for an underground car park, striking green areas, and sufficient space for terraces in each scenario. Our new home, your new experience.

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Belgische design aan de uitzonderlijke com-

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RR Interieur lanceert the Bambou Collection. Een collab met de gerenommeerde Belgische interior designer Jean Philippe Demeyer. Waar RR bekend staat om minimalisme is Jean Philippe Demeyer maximalist bij uitstek.

Het uitdagende spanningsveld van deze twee esthetische visies is voelbaar. Het design van deze modulaire zitbank is de perfecte samen- smelting van twee uiteenlopende werelden. Mooi in zijn eenvoud, groots in zijn comfort.

Demeyer haalde de mosterd bij typisch Turkse zetels met verschillende kussenlagen. Het resul- DUBBELE SIGNATUUR, taat is een warm, hedendaags ontwerp, met een ÉÉN BANKSTEL kleurenpalet geïnspireerd op het kustleven van Decorateur Demeyer styleerde zijn signatuur Knokke en een understated knipoog naar de naar de collab-vraag van RR. Waar RR houdt Seventies. van eenvoud in materialen, elegantie en een

bepaalde soberheid, contrasteert Demeyer

met rijke stoffen en een gelaagde opbouw.

Discover the Bambou Collection exclusively at NEW RR Interieur.

Make your appointment

COLLAB BY RR INTERIEUR Natiënlaan 123 – Knokke

EN JEAN PHILIPPE DEMEYER +32 50 622 633 RRINTERIEUR.BE 56/ TABLE TIME

AT THE BAR WITH THE VAN ONGEVALLE FAMILY

ALCOHOL RUNS IN THE BLOOD

t is quiet in the Ugly Duckling, Twelve years after father Jan sold his Son Ran (28) has been running Jan Van Ongevalle’s new fashion shop, travelled through Asia with Palo Cortado, his own bar in the I restaurant (55), and that’s heart of Bruges, since last year. not got anything to do with the his backpack, and returned with an idea for And the youngest daughter afternoon hour. The COVID-19 For the past four years, Noa (24) measures forced him to a beautiful cocktail bar, the Van Ongevalle has been working at temporarily close the doors, and family has become an indispensable part The Pharmacy, the Knokke now he’s waiting to see what the of the Knokke-Heist hospitality industry. cocktail bar that started it all. She’s future will bring. This doesn’t been co-owner since October. mean he’s idle, though. “We’re Meanwhile, his three children have also Before we start the interview, now finishing the renovations earned their spurs as cocktail masters Jan presents me with another that we didn’t get around to when sample of his relentless sense we opened the business on 18 and Jan has built a new restaurant. A of experimentation. He is the June,” he says. “Painting the floor, conversation with an enterprising family. only hospitality business in updating the lighting, changing a Belgium to have a ‘rotavap’, a few small details in the kitchen. Text: Ruben Nollet / Photography: Karel Duerinckx unique appliance for vacuum And we do takeaway every distillation, in-house. This lets Saturday.” you make alcohol distillate from almost anything, and It typifies the Van Ongevalle family. They all seem to be Jan doesn’t miss an opportunity to try things out. The born entrepreneurs. The eldest daughter, Hannah (32), bottle of translucent liquid that he puts in my hands is, has a thriving catering company, Tipsy Cake, which for example, alcohol distilled from… bolognaise sauce. “I supplies cocktails to the major Belgian festivals, among wouldn’t drink it if I were you because it’s 72 proof,” he other things. She is also the driving force behind Cocktail warns, but the stuff smells amazingly authentic. “We’ve Maison, a delivery service for vacuum-packed cocktails. also tried wasabi and Peking duck,” says Noa. The goal is “WE LEARNED THIS HOSPITALITY AT HOME; WE COME FROM A VERY AFFECTIONATE FAMILY” 58/ TABLE TIME

to provide customers with a cocktail perfectly tailored to the dish they have ordered.

Making cocktails is clearly a shared passion. How does the matriarch of the Van Ongevalle family fit into that story? Jan: “Heidy is the glue that holds the family together. She deliberately chose to stay on the fringes of this particular family business. She has her own passion: clothing. We each lead our own life, which gives us something to talk about at the end of the workday. I have been running a fashion boutique day and night with my wife for 25 years. Now, it’s more interesting because we’re not always talking about the same thing.” Hannah: “Mum is the mother hen. We desperately need her because we all live at 360 km per hour. So, it’s nice to have someone you can vent to; just have a bite to eat Noa and a chat. Her experience in fashion has also given her a tremendously creative spirit; it helps to have an outsider’s take on it all.”

Is entrepreneurship genetic? Jan: “I think so, at least when I look at my children. I people find that charming. We are a close family of strong think they have seen that you can do something with personalities.” a lot of passion, and that’s inspired them to do what West Flanders has a strong reputation in the hospitality they wanted to do. I don’t have children who would be industry. Why is that? satisfied with a normal 9-to-5 job. They always want Hannah: “We’re very hard workers.” more and more.” Ran: (nods) “It’s that West-Flemish mentality. Our Ran: “The independence, in particular, has seeped hospitality and willpower. The land on which we find through. We can’t work for bosses because we always ourselves also plays a role in this. We have a lot of think we can do better. (laughs) We’re all self-employed wonderful regional products for the chefs to use. in the hospitality industry now, which is an industry It’s a bit different in our profession. We work with gins with no limitations. You can be enormously creative in from England, liqueurs from Italy… you name it. Although it. This is certainly necessary in the current COVID-19 we also use regional products.” situation.” Hannah: “We went to school in Brussels and I remember I was just ‘that girl from Knokke’ to everyone the first Jan, you’re a trained chef. Was the switch to the year. Everyone assumed I had the most money, so it was hospitality industry an idea you’d been entertaining for also assumed I’d pay for the sandwiches at lunch. Back a long time? then, I often cursed my origins, but I later came to the Jan: “When I graduated, I actually wanted to nothing to conclusion that growing up in Knokke-Heist was one of do with the hospitality industry. I didn’t feel like having the most beautiful gifts I could have got in my life. It meant to work if no one else was working. But the draw turned that I was always surrounded by people who worked a out to be stronger than I had thought. Once you’re in love lot. My parents’ shop was always open, even during the with the hospitality industry, it’s for life. It is the most weekend. Everyone drove a nice car; we lived in a nice beautiful profession in the world. You have to work hard, neighbourhood. I wanted that for myself too. That’s why I but you get so much back from most customers.” became an entrepreneur. Seeing success is motivational.” Noa: “Their satisfaction gives you satisfaction. The smiles on their faces; the fact that they come back for You sold the bar in Mexico City because it couldn’t be what you have to offer, and for you as well. We also all combined with your Belgian plans. Are the international have a personal approach. We treat guests more projects now buried for good? like friends than customers.” Jan: “For me, yes. I only see myself going abroad when I Ran: “We learned this hospitality at home. We come from stop working, and that’s not the plan right now. Plus, it’s so an affectionate family, we don’t keep secrets from each beautiful here in Knokke-Heist. You’ve got the sea a little other, and we speak plainly with one another. I think ways down the road, and on the other side, you’ve got Het TABLE TIME /59

Ran Hannah

we offer a great experience with ‘low & no alcohol’, but without the negatives.”

There is a Norwegian psychiatrist who argues that humans are born with a blood alcohol deficit of 0.05%. Do you understand what he means? Noa: “After one drink, you are indeed more spontaneous Jan and perhaps more yourself. I’m often a bit shy, and when I’ve had something to drink, I’m more willing and find it easier to spark up a conversation with someone.” Hannah: “I can imagine that this theory is true for a lot of people. But we’re also very well aware of what “THE GOAL IS TO PROVIDE alcohol does. We’re responsible with it. It’s not because CUSTOMERS WITH A we are constantly surrounded by alcohol that we drink all the time. We look for quality. We want the things that COCKTAIL PERFECTLY taste really good. We prefer to have smaller samples of TAILORED TO THE DISH everything with lots of water in between.” Jan: “We certainly don’t drink every day. We even THEY HAVE ORDERED” occasionally take extended breaks from alcohol, where we won’t drink anything alcoholic for three weeks. Just to let our bodies recover. For example, I only drink a little alcohol or none at all during the peak season because Zwin, the forest… You have so much here to be happy.” I know I won’t get much sleep and will have to be very Ran: “I do miss travelling. I used to be flown over to Greece focused. I certainly don’t need alcohol in those cases.” or Japan to judge or work a guest shift. I’ve experienced fantastic things and gathered a lot of inspiration.” What wild dreams do you still cherish? Hannah: “I am working on a new project with enormous Hannah: “I would like to become an Entrepreneur of European ambitions. As a result, I will certainly have to the Year before my fortieth birthday. When you’re in the travel a lot again, albeit for short periods of time. The bar, you’re instantly satisfied. You make a cocktail, you project is an extension of Cocktail Maison. We’re now put it in front of the customer, and they like your drink. looking at how we can expand that idea internationally. I’ve stepped back a bit in that regard and the satisfaction There is particular interest in the ‘low & no alcohol’ has to come from somewhere else. The cocktails I make options, which in itself is unnatural for the Van Ongevalle leave for a festival where 10,000 people drink them, but family. (laughs) The lockdown is a dangerous period for I don’t get to see their reactions. I’m taking big risks alcohol consumption. You start drinking aperitifs earlier right now. I hope they’ll bear fruit and that I’ll emerge and earlier in the day. As a Belgian, we need that. In that as Entrepreneur of the Year. Besides that, I’ve been respect, Cocktail Maison can be a good partner because dreaming about participating in De Slimste Mens (quiz GORDIJNEN STORES MEUBILAIR SCHILDER & BEHANGWERKEN HERSTOFFEREN

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TIP FOR THE HOLIDAYS: DRY MARTINI

The Van Ongevalle family’s favourite drink to brighten up a Christmas party is the Old Fashioned, a mix of bourbon whisky with sugar syrup and Angostura bitters. “It’s a strong cocktail that’s also just the right amount of sweet,” says Noa. But they ultimately suggest another classic: the Dry Martini. Paired with the perfect snack, of course.

INGREDIENTS (PER GLASS): • 6 cl gin or vodka • 2 splashes orange bitters • 1.5 cl dry vermouth (1 splash = 1/5 teaspoon)

PREPARATION: • Chill the martini glasses in • Stir for 20 seconds. advance using ice cubes. • Remove the ice cubes from • Pour the gin, vermouth, and the martini glass. show on Belgian television, ed.) for a long time. I’m bitters into a chilled cocktail • Sieve the cocktail into the obsessed with that game show.” shaker. glass. Ran: “I’ve been working on a new menu for six months now • Add ice. • Garnish with a large olive. that we’re going to launch in the bar, called the ‘Bucket List Menu’. All the cocktails and artwork are inspired by the ten things I still want to do in my life. Like taking my son to PAIRED SNACK: MINI ‘FISH & CHIPS’ Disneyland one day, or flying on the first commercial space flight. As for the rest, my ambition is to create a lot of good INGREDIENTS: things, to create great little businesses from scratch, and to • 1 cod fillet • 4 tbsp water put my own creations on the market.” • 4 tbsp flour 1 large potato Jan: “I would like to turn Ugly Duckling into a beautiful swan, like in the fairy tale. Then I want to watch proudly FOR THE TARTAR SAUCE: as my children and grandchildren continue to grow. I • 2 tbsp mayonnaise • 1 tsp vinegar don’t have any wild plans, although I still have a crazy • 1 tsp finely chopped capers • half a hard-boiled egg idea for a two-month pop-up.” • 1 tsp finely chopped small cubed Noa: “It is my intention to eventually take over the Ugly gherkins • salt and pepper Duckling as well as The Pharmacy, so that Dad will be • 1 tsp finely chopped parsley (tbsp = tablespoon, tsp = teaspoon) able to relax and take things easy.” Hannah: “If you asked me what my biggest fear is right PREPARATION: now, it’s that my sister will be Entrepreneur of the Year • Cut the cod into strips. • Cut the potato into very before me!” (laughs) • Mix the water with the flour and thin fries and deep-fry them season with salt and pepper. until golden brown. • Drench the strips in the flour • Mix all the ingredients for the • Ugly Duckling mixture and deep-fry them at tartar sauce. Lippenslaan 98, 0483 053 090 uglyducklingknokke.be 180°C until golden brown. • Serve the fish & chips with a • The Pharmacy • Drain the strips on a paper towel. spoonful of tartar. Elizabetlaan 178, 0468 205 459 thepharmacy.bar (courtesy of Stephanie Bex and Hannah Van Ongevalle for NJAM!) • Cocktail Maison, cocktailmaison.be WANNEER JE ÉÉN BENT MET DE NATUUR SPEELT TIJD GEEN ROL MEER. BUITEN BEN JE THUIS

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