June 03, 2012

Theater, the Belgian way


Getting stuck in traffic, especially on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, as was the case yesterday, is something I really do not like.  Lately though, I have learned to deal with it in my own special way: to make the experience  more bearable I just shoot away with my little camera. 
The above pictures can be seen as an example of what ambiguity means in our national capital.
The signs indicating the highway to the cities are in two languages, French and Dutch. If you are headed for a city in the southern part of Belgium, Wallonia or the part where French is spoken, the sign will indicate the name of the city in French first (Mons), hometown of the actual prime minister, and in Dutch last (Bergen). The other way around when you are heading for Ghent in the Dutch speaking part, Flanders. (Gent- Gand). 
The same ambiguity in and around the buildings. The Kaaitheater was originally more of a Flemish institution when it reopened in 1993 after the Flemish Minister of Culture leased the building. Around this beautiful art deco / modernistic building are advertisements for French cultural temples: the Théâtre du Parc on the blue poster in picture one and the Théâtre National advertised on the yellow poll poster in picture 2. 
http://www.kaaitheater.be/home.jsp
http://www.theatreduparc.be/
http://www.theatrenational.be/en/home//

19 comments:

  1. Ach ja, België zou België niet zijn hé zonder dat ;-)

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  2. Great way to pass the time in a traffic jam. Interesting signage custom.

    Darryl and Ruth :)

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  3. Yes Belgium is a very interesting country this way. I used to live near Mons (SHAPE) and if we were in the north we had to remember all the Dutch names for cities just to get home!

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  4. Ah, yes! The very best way to pass time in traffic jams! Interesting post and great shots for the day, Anni! Hope you've had a good weekend!

    Sylvia

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  5. De beste manier om even 'het wachten' te vergeten, Anni..., onze cameraatjes...
    Lie(f)s.

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  6. moet voor de buitenlanders wel heel verwarrend zijn..Anni



    ehh, voor ons soms ook...fijne avond

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  7. Wonmderful example of Art Deco architecture! Love this building.

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  8. Depuis l'effondrement de Babel les langues nous jouent des tours!
    Merci au passage pour vos visites sur mon blog. puissiez vous garder ce beau ciel bleu. nous sommes bien obligés sous nos l'attitudes de trouver de la poésie à la pluie! en attendant le soleil.

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  9. Altijd verwarrend die dubbele benaming. Geef de naam volgens het landsgedeelte, zou dat niet simpeler zijn, waarom altijd zo moeilijk.
    Het was inderdaad 'a sunny afternoon'

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  10. Intersting :) I hope you had a good weekend, is raining all day today ):

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  11. It is so wonderful that you are dealing with traffic jams in such a positive way. I love your photos. Thank you for sharing.

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  12. I have done the same whilst sitting in traffic! You never know what you might see. Must always have the camera at the ready!

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  13. Good way to spend some time in a traffic jam and I enjoyed seeing your photos. I love the buildings, signs and looks like you have a wonderful blue clear day.

    Happy new week
    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  14. Et oui c'est notre Belgique cela!!!!Je t'envoie des bisoussss

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  15. I hate traffic jams but you seem to found a good way to pass the time!

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  16. Hello, Anni!
    Thanks for stopping by...I really enjoyed your blog as well! Belgium is a very interesting country. I enjoyed my trip very much.

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  17. Super...surrealistic...
    but the building is great!

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  18. J'aime beaucoup cette architecture "art-déco"...

    pierre

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  19. Oh, I love that art deco theatre!!! I'm a big fan of art deco and that is one beautiful example. I also get bored in cars and also resort to shooting photos!

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