The conference will be held at “Het Pand”, the Cultural Centre of Ghent University. “Het Pand”, a former Dominican monastery, is located in the historical centre of the city, on the banks of the river “Leie”. The oldest parts of this impressive building date from the 13th century. During five centuries it was extended and refashioned in different styles. Since its rehabilitation and restoration, finished in 1991, “Het Pand” has been offering a wide range of possibilities for the organisation of scientific congresses and cultural events. “Het Pand” houses some valuable collections, such as the rich ethnographical and archaeological collections of the university, the Museum for the History of Medicine, full-size photographs of paintings of Brueghel and Early Flemish Masters, and an interesting collection of stained glass.
A small map with the location of ‘Het Pand’ can be found here.
The City of Ghent
Ghent or Gent (in Dutch), lies in the heart of Flanders, between Bruges, Antwerp and Brussels. Its rich heritage has shaped the city into a living museum with a “medieval skyline”. It is by no means a coincidence that Ghent is often referred to as the historic heart of Flanders, a city of all times, and as one of the most beautiful historic cities in Europe. The city is after all a combination of an imposing past with a lively present. Not only the lovers of art and culture make their tricks in Ghent: also if you like to go shopping for a day, enjoy a good meal or have an entertaining night out, Ghent offers everything you require.
Ghent is an often neglected jewel when it comes to visiting Flanders, the Flemish speaking region of Belgium. Most visitors focus on Antwerp, Bruges or Brussels. But in doing so, they miss the opportunity to discover a city with a strong historical background that goes back to the Middle Ages. The city has been on the cross road of many political and economical shifts in the Western European context. Spanish, Austrian, German, Dutch, French, English,… have influenced the Ghent history and left behind traces, thus enriching a cultural heritage that reflects a unique blend of styles, traditions, architecture, and culinary trends.
The city prospered due to the textile trade, and was one of the largest cities in Western Europe. Visiting kings envied the cultural patrimony and had to cope with the stubborn nature of citizens that strongly defended their autonomy. The city has evolved from a variety of settlements on the banks of the River “de Leie” and “de Schelde”.
The city nearly equals Bruges when it comes to the number of museums, canals and bars. It offers a larger variety when it comes to contemporary art, theatres, and concert halls. Your list of “things to see” should include the medieval Gravensteen Castle, the belfry, the cathedral with the famous painting of the brothers Van Eyck “The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb”, the St. Nicolas Church, the three beguinages, monasteries, etc.
Nowadays Ghent is an economical centre due to its renowned international port and a cultural centre due to the large concentration of educational institutes, varying from the Ghent University, the largest concentration in Flanders of higher professional education institutes, to secondary and primary schools.
A map of the city can be downloaded here.
A description of how to get to Ghent from Brussels National Airport can be found here.