Excursion: Antwerp

Day trip to Antwerp with a guided walk through the Jewish Quarter and the Diamond District, including a visit to the Portuguese synagogue. In the afternoon, we will visit the exhibition Embroidering Palestine at the MoMu, about Palestinian embroidery as cultural heritage and contemporary expression. We start with a guided walk through the Jewish Quarter, in the vicinity of the Centraal Station. The guide will take us through the daily life, history, and culture of the Jewish community in Antwerp. Afterwards, we will walk through the Diamond District, where we will gain insight into the international diamond sector, its historical roots, and the role of the Jewish community within it. The walk also includes a visit to the Portuguese synagogue, with explanations about religious customs, rituals, and architecture. In the afternoon, we will visit the MoMu – Fashion Museum Antwerp for the exhibition Embroidering Palestine. This expo explores Palestinian embroidery (tatriz) as intangible cultural heritage and as a visual language of identity, belonging, and resistance. Using historical and contemporary pieces, the exhibition shows how embroidery has been passed down through generations and lives on today in contemporary fashion and art. The expo is structured around four themes: nature, splendor, strength, and change. Guides: Youri Leroi