Book
A country known for its sense of humour and surrealism, Belgium and its history inspired comic book author Herr Seele to write his funny and irreverent ‘History of Belgium for Everyone, as told by Cowboy Henk’ (Fremok, 2014). Cowboy Henk, an iconic figure in Flemish culture and the hero of a humorous series created 40 years ago, transports us to an absurd and offbeat but well-researched world.
Music
The influence of Calvinism long held back the development of classical music in the Netherlands, but since the construction of the Concertgebouw hall in 1888, located opposite the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, the city has become one of the most popular destinations for music lovers. Nearly 800 concerts are held there every year, attracting a total of 850,000 spectators. The hall's exceptional acoustics enhance the repertoire performed by the famous Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.
Film
Sometimes referred to as the Mona Lisa of the North, Vermeer's ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’ is the focus of Peter Webber's 2004 film, inspired by Tracy Chevalier's novel. Through the sensitive gaze of this fictional character, created for literary purposes and played on screen by the sublime Scarlett Johansson, the intimacy of the painter's studio and family is revealed, along with the subtleties of 17th-century society. Evocations of Vermeer's paintings follow one another, reconstructed by the delicate lighting, which immerses the viewer in a fascinating contemplation of the painter's work.