Ghent museum asks people to send in photos from nightlife in Belgium
A new temporary exhibition at Huis van Alijn, the museum of everyday life in Ghent, will look at the culture of going out. The museum will display objects and stories from jazz bands to dance organs, disco nights and Club Fuiv, offering a fresh perspective on how Belgians have socialised and entertained themselves over the past century. The show is part of the museum’s broader programme that connects daily rituals and leisure activities with wider social history.
The museum is launching a call for submissions of photos, videos, and artifacts. "It could be anything from flyers and posters to festival wristbands and clothing. We're not just looking for images from dance halls, dance bars, and mega-discos. We also want to map the subcultures. Stories and testimonies are welcome!" researcher Eva Dierckx told VRT NWS.
Situated on the historic Kraanlei, the museum focuses on how people lived, celebrated, worked and relaxed from the twentieth century to today. Its permanent Museum van het dagelijks leven exhibition guides visitors through everyday rituals and milestones, from birthday celebrations and vacations to weddings and family dinners. The museum uses objects, photos, sounds and interactive displays that connect the past with the present.
The new nightlife-themed exhibition expands that mission by spotlighting music and leisure culture, from early jazz nights to the rise of dance halls and popular clubs in Flanders and beyond. It forms part of a series of temporary displays and public events that invite visitors to reflect on how communal experiences and entertainment have shaped social life.
Beyond its exhibitions, the Huis van Alijn offers a year-round programme of activities for all ages. Families can enjoy the beloved Pierke van Alijn puppet theatre on Saturdays, while interactive walking games like Het Geluidenspel send youngsters on a sound-themed adventure through Gent’s streets.
To answer the call for submissions, visit here.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA MAGAZINES COLLECTION PHOTO BY PIETER-JAN VANSTOCKSTRAETEN
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