Culture and leisure in Ghent
Ghent in living colour
For those looking for a break from studying and/or working, there are great things to do in and around Ghent. Here are some suggestions on how to fill these breaks.
- Sports and leisure: swimming pool, sauna & wellness, playgrounds, skate park, recreation areas, water sports, top sport arena...
For the more relaxed or studious...
- Sightseeing: boat excursions and carriage rides
- Public library (in Dutch only)
Besides this extensive year-round offer, the streets of Ghent turn into one big party during 10 days every July... The Gentse Feesten ('Ghent Festival') is one of the biggest and most popular cultural festivals in Europe. During these 10 days, you can enjoy music, theatre, puppet players, street artists, etc. Nearly all street shows and open-air concerts are free. Read all about it...
Of course, Ghent University also provides certain facilities and student organisations.
Belgian media
TV and Radio
In order to reflect the unique linguistic and political nature of the country, Belgium has two separate broadcasting organisations. They are self-regulating and are concerned with TV, radio and external broadcasting. Belgium has around 95 percent cable users - one of the highest rates in the world. Belgium aims to complete the conversion to digital TV by 2011, when it aims to switch off the analogue signal.
Both Dutch and French stations are represented, as well as dozens of domestic and foreign channels. All foreign TV programmes and films featured on cable and domestic channels are screened in their original language with French or Dutch subtitles.
Written media
Belgium is not a country of avid newspaper readers, with official figures showing that only 160 copies are sold for every 1,000 inhabitants. The Belgian press is self-regulated by the Federation of Editors - to which all editors of major newspapers belong. A small number of media groups owns the main newspaper titles. The Persgroep publishes the popular daily newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws, the smaller De Morgen and the financial newspapers De Tijd and L'Echo. It also has a 50 percent share in the Flemish commercial TV station VTM. VUM-Corelio on the other hand, owns newspapers such as De Standaard, De Gentenaar and Het Nieuwsblad.
Keep up to date with Belgian current affairs via www.flandersnews.be.
Culinary traditions
With so many influences among its current varied population, it is not surprising that the Belgians have a passion for food and cooking. Various invaders throughout history including the Romans, Vikings, Spanish, French and English have all left their mark on the national cuisine.The much quoted saying is that the Belgians cook their food with the finesse of the French but serve it in generous German size portions!
Many of the more hearty stews and soups are recipes handed down from one generation to another. Belgian chocolates and beer are internationally renowned and are in themselves a lure for many tourists with festivals celebrating both products.
Street stands selling waffles and chips are found almost everywhere for those wanting something quick. Restaurants tend to approach things more seriously and meals are seldom hurried.
Vegetarians and those with food allergies may find their options limited in some parts of the country.
Religion
Historically, Flanders is a predominantly Catholic region. Even though churches nowadays draw only a minority of the inhabitants, Catholicism is still the most important religion. Weekly masses, celebrations and services like marriages, communions, and funerals often take place in the catholic churches.
However, all major world religions are represented in Flanders
(freedom of religion is guaranteed by the Belgian Constitution), and
even smaller denominations usually have at least
one established
community and place of worship in one of the larger cities. The state
currently recognises six religions (and a non-religious community since
1993): Roman Catholicism (representing the majority of believers), as
well as the Protestant, Orthodox, Jewish and Anglican religions. Islam was added in 1976. Islam is currently the second largest religion in Belgium due to the wave of immigration of foreign workers.
Check out this overview of services in Ghent.
