I had a very interesting two weeks!
If you have read the “Who” Page of this blog, you will know that I try, every month, to do something special – my way of preventing from falling into too much of a routine, and making sure that I enjoy life to the fullest. I am not going to have any problems fulfilling this requirement this month!
Actually, I started in late January with a visit to the BRAFA – the 55th Brussels Antiques and Fine Arts Fair. This is very ‘posh’ and proper – all the pieces shown are for sale, but I could not afford most of them (and really would not want a lot in my apartment!) but it is like a visit to a museum. I did not expect to find anything that I would be tempted to buy, and I was not proven wrong. However, it was still an interesting visit, made more so by the location.
BRAFA is held in the old industrial estate of Tour et Taxi, nothing to do with either a tower or taxi cabs but used to belong to the German enterprise of “Turm und Tassi”, and this is the literal translation of the two German words. They are located along the canal on the North of Brussels and I am not sure what they used to do in there. For much of my youth, what little of it I spent in Brussels, these were derelict, abandoned buildings. They were renovated 10-15 years ago and now host a number of events. It was the first time I was able to go inside.
My cultural tour continued on 1st February with a very unusual concert: “Jerusalem” by Jordi Saval. The concert essentially retraced the history of Jerusalem from antiquity to modern time through the music of the people who occupied it over the years. I really enjoyed it even though it was “difficult” music – difficult on the public in so much as it required a lot of our attention in order to really enjoy the experience. I often listen to music while I am doing something else (I am listening to “The Phantom of the Opera” right now) but I could not do anything while this was playing. There are songs and recitations in several languages, and the words are just as important as the music. During the concert, there were super-scripts (in two languages of course – this is Brussels) to allow us to follow the meaning; if you listen to it at home, you would have to follow the text from the libretto. Here is the cover art in case you are interested in buying – my recommendation: go see the show if you have a chance!
Some of the words could be considered almost incendiary in today’s environment (they were also incendiary at the time) – one in particular was a speech by Urban II in support of the first crusade. Let’s just say that his description of what Christians should do to the Muslims who occupy Jerusalem is not far at all from what the most fundamentalist Muslim Imams are urging their followers to do to Christians. We all know how we react to those speeches!
I was able to find a transcription of the speech on Internet – what a wonderful device… – and here are a few excerpts:
“Oh, race of Franks, race from across the mountains, race chosen and beloved by God as shines forth in very many of your works set apart from all nations by the situation of your country, as well as by your catholic faith and the honor of the holy church! …. From the confines of Jerusalem and the city of Constantinople a horrible tale has gone forth and very frequently has been brought to our ears, namely, that a race from the kingdom of the Persians, an accursed race, a race utterly alienated from God, a generation forsooth which has not directed its heart and has not entrusted its spirit to God, has invaded the lands of those Christians and has depopulated them by the sword, pillage and fire; it has led away a part of the captives into its own country, and a part it has destroyed by cruel tortures; it has either entirely destroyed the churches of God or appropriated them for the rites of its own religion.”
You can find the full test at: www.medievaltymes.com/courtyard/urban’s_speech.htm
There was also a song from the Auschwitz Concentration Camp, talking about the death of million of Jews. The credits indicate that it has been written in 1941 but the decision of the Final Solution was not made until 1942 (even though ‘work’ camps already existed long before that and Jews were restricted to ghettos) so there is a mystery for me.
A somewhat ‘less cultural’ activity took me to Southampton for two days of meetings … thrilling as a short business trip can be!
On 6 February, I had another concert, and another discovery. “Il Retablo de Maese Pedro” by Manuel de Falla.
The puppet show is a “silent” show with a narrator providing explanations of what is happening. The story is that of the beautiful Melisande taken prisoner by the ruthless Arabs in Grenada and how Don Gaelinz is trying to free her. The audience of the puppet show, the puppet master and the narrator are puppets as well, but about 5 meters tall and operated by three to five handlers! One of the spectators is Don Quichote, and he cannot help but get involved with the show. The show ends in total chaos as Don Quichote no longer can tell the difference between fiction and reality and attacks the muslim puppets holding Melisande prisoner!
Another great show, but I am not going to run out an buy the album anytime soon…
Finally on Sunday 7 February, I went to see an exhibit on the Silk Road, especially the people who lived along the silk road and their cultures. It was very well done, with a mixture of history and culture that kept me entertained for close to two hours. I have not done enough of that – Saturdays and Sundays are already so busy catching up on what I cannot do during the week that I lack the energy to still go out and visit the many exhibits and musea that exist in Brussels. However, since I have to do something at least every month, I will have the motivation to do more each month to come. Let’s hope…
My apologies to the readers who only look at the pretty pictures – you have to read this time!
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