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A cause (courtesy the memorial guide)

Although the history of Breendonk, the war and the post-war years hardly give cause for optimism, we want to put across a message of hope, like those men who gave humanity the universal declaration of human rights. The defence and respect of these rights. That is our cause.

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A place of openness and encounters

The Memorial seeks to embrace others in a quest for openness. It reaches out first of all to those who, in one way or another, have fought for freedom, have stood up to oppression, have suffered, victims of racism and blind fanaticism: war veterans, Resistance fighters, prisoners of war, the concentration camp prisoners, Jewish Resistance fighters and victims of the Shoah. And well beyond, it reaches out to all those who, driven by the same ideal of democracy, find in Breendonk the justification behind their cause.

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An educational and pedagogical centre

Every year, 35,000 to 40,000 schoolchildren visit the Memorial.
Thanks to the wealth of information they will assimilate in the course of their visit, no child can go away without having formed a precise idea of its history, and of racial and political persecution in particular, thanks to a well structured cooperation with the Jewish Museum of Mechelen.

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A cultural centre

The works of some of Breendonk’s former prisoners are on display in the Memorial and we welcome all cultural events that are coherent with our objectives and that respect our ethics.

Coming next: Part 5.

[MohsinRoadster]

Really appreciate that you posted so many pics. Try to upload pics taken when traveled along the natures of Belgium..

[sidindica]

Part 5: Guy Delforge Parfum De Namur Citadel and Luxembourg border

An ancient legend tells how the god Nam created Namur and its Citadel.
It is here today that Guy Delforge creates perfumes fit for the gods.

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In the truly exceptional surroundings of the Castle of the Counts within the Citadel of Namur, more than 100.000 visitors, from Europe and many other regions of the world, discover each year the magnificent exhibition hall of our perfumery.

It was in fact in December, 1990, that the perfumer-creator Guy Delforge opened his doors for the first time to extend a warm and fragrant welcome to his delighted public. Royal visitors, ambassadors, groups of all ages, associations, clubs, schools and businesses constantly swell the ranks of visitors eager to explore the unique world of fine perfumes.

It was also in December, 1990, that Guy Delforge decided to completely restore the old officers' mess, previously used in the 19th century, first as an artillery laboratory and later as a military dovecote.

Indeed, the Maestro Guy Delforge, conducting with style and flair an orchestra of rich fragrances, has prepared for the visitor's pleasure an underground journey of discovery where each phase of this remarkable craft is shown to full advantage. Perfumes are created and mature within the very heart of the Citadel. As a Dutch journalist commented : "The spell of this 'light, sound and perfume' show and its enchantment are such that the outside world is rapidly forgotten".

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The guided tour begins with a description of the building's history and presentation of the raw materials (plants) used in the creation of perfumes.

Afterwards, visitors go upstairs via a beautiful, 1951 staircase and can observe work in the laboratories. The next room (a casemate, or vaulted chamber, from the 16th century) is the composition room with the 'keyboard' where the 'nose', or perfumer, expertly combines the delicate symphony of blended fragrances.

Further explanations are provided in the underground galleries where the perfumes macerate during a period of from 4 to 6 months. The next casemate has been specially prepared for olfactory testing allowing members of the public to evaluate their own sensibility to different scents. After feasting their eyes on the superb perfume bottles in Manage crystal, visitors make their way to a great exhibition hall where the different product ranges are presented, including a specially-designed kit for children to try their hand at perfume-making at school. In this same exhibition hall visitors can also admire the incomparable sculptures of Guy Alexandre from Namur.

The beautiful harmony created by the combined effect of delicately-carved wood, natural stone, classical music and, of course, subtle perfumes is a true delight to the senses. Today the Parfums Guy Delforge company boasts more than 250 up-market products. And many more projects are on the way .

The Carré Blanc perfume received two Gold Medals : the first one in London in 1989 during a World Quality Selection and the second one in 1994 in Paris. In 1992 the Belgian Foundation 'Promotion of the Arts' attributed to Guy Delforge the Caius prize for the creation of a 'sound and light' show : 'Les Jardins de Médiane'. More than 15000 people still remember with pleasure their visit to that show as well as to the two that followed : 'Mille Feux dans la Nuit' in 1993 and ' Les Amours de Mediane' in 2001. Once again in 1993 Guy Delforge received the prize 'Mejor Imagen de Marca' in Madrid.

Coming Soon: Part 6.

[sidindica]

Originally Posted by MohsinRoadster

Really appreciate that you posted so many pics. Try to upload pics taken when traveled along the natures of Belgium..

Save the best for the last.

[sidindica]

Part 6: Defence Museum, Schumann

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Located opposite the auto world, entry is charged @ 5 euros with photography ticket.

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It houses some of the well known aircraft, weapons and choppers used during he world wars.

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Also includes a model of Boeing 707 and Wright brothers' plane.

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Coming next: Part 7 a world heritage site.