Social Programme

Tuesday, 14 September - Opening Ceremony and Presidential Reception

17.00 - 18.00 Opening Ceremony at the Concertgebouw
19.30 - 21.00 Presidential Reception at the 
                         Provincial Government Palace

The Concertgebouw (Concert Hall) was built in 2002, when Bruges was selected as the Cultural Capital of Europe. The modern hall, designed by the famous architects duo Paul Robbrecht and Hilde Daem is characterised by the 68.000 terracotta tiles, added to that, the Concertgebouw (Concert Hall) was built on 4.700 springs, putting it right up there on the list of top acoustics worldwide.

When you attend the Opening Ceremony in the Concertgebouw (Concert Hall) of Bruges, you will experience a spectacular acrobatic act and a unique and elegant choreography. Afterwards, we invite you to the Neo Gothic Provincial Government Palace, to celebrate the opening of the XX EACMFS Congress.

Attendance to the Opening Ceremony and Presidential Reception is included in the registration fee for registered participants and accompanying persons. However, as the number of invitations for the Presidential Reception is limited by the size of the Provincial Government Palace, we strongly recommend that you register early!

Wednesday, 15 September - Excursion to Ghent
16.00 - 22.30

Excursion price: € 140.00 per person, excluding 21% VAT

Please make your reservation for the excursion when you register for the congress.

Ghent is the medieval, native town of ‘Keizer Karel’ alias Charles V. Here, at the confluence of the Schelde and the Leie, Charles V was born in the year 1500. We invite you to come and visit this splendid city with a rich cultural and gastronomic tradition. Forget the dull and boring traditional city-visit! Let us present a magnificent event packed with special guests and exciting features! With the enthusiastic and energetic graduate students of the Ghent translation school as our guides, we make our way through the medieval Ghent of Charles V.

You will be welcomed by the choir of the Opera of Ghent where forty choristers will bring to life the music from the first part of the 16th century. From the Prinsenhof, the court of the princes, we will stroll to the Patershol, the impressive and historical centre of Ghent. In the narrow and traffic free streets and inner courts we will meet various street artists and we will have the opportunity to taste the local gourmandises. From the Patershol we will go to the medieval castle, the Gravensteen, where a splendid Renaissance show with music and dance in authentic costumes will give us a glimpse of the life at the court of Charles V.

The youngsters of the local circus school will lead us along the old fish auction and meat market. Here again typical regional products can be tasted and purchased.

The apotheosis of the event takes place in the Pand, the beautiful Abbey of Sint Michiel. Here we continue the evening in style. Charles V is represented through a range of musicians and animations who will feature as the entertainment during the walking dinner. Charles V himself, together with the proud city of Ghent will be delighted to welcome you at this special event. Cultural, gastronomic and folkloristic themes will be represented during this late afternoon visit and evening spectacle!

Thursday, 16 September - Gala Dinner
19.30 - 23.00 at the Belfry & Halls

Ticket price: € 130.00 per person, excluding 21% VAT

Please make your reservation for the Gala Dinner when you register for the congress.

The Belfry & Halls (13th century) is widely considered to be Belgium’s finest, with a fantastic carillon that has been in use for almost eight centuries. The halls of this 260-foot-high tower (366 steps) with 47 bells that have a total weight of 27 tonnes, have been chosen as the location of the Gala Dinner on Thursday the 16 September, where the carillon will play special arrangements for the EACMFS participants. Enjoy the Belgian hospitality and of course the famous gastronomic talent in this historical setting.