A first performance of the light and sound show “Het Belfort Vertelt” (The Belfry as Storyteller ) in Bruges attracted large crowds. Projections on the belfry tell the tale of the history of the building and of the city of Bruges. The event is an initiative of the 11 July Committee celebrating the Flemish national holiday on 11 July.
'Belfry as Storyteller' light and sound show stuns in Bruges (VIDEO)
Colin Clapson
Published:
The light show lets the eight-century-old monument tell the story of its construction and the city of Bruges as well as of important historical events. The Relic of the Holy Blood, the Matins of Bruges, when in 1302 the citizens of Bruges massacred the French garrison in the city, the Burgundian Age, the Gruuthuse Manuscript, but also less pleasant events such as the plague and gruesome persecutions are brought to life.
Technical 'tour de force'
People who attended the first performance appeared impressed. ‘A technical tour de force,’ one Bruges resident called the spectacle. "These gigantic projections on the Belfry, in the past you wouldn't have thought this was possible. I do think they sometimes made big jumps in time." “I know the history of Bruges quite well,” says another man, "And yet I was still impressed when I saw how important our city was back then, as a trading centre. We really were world-famous." “I can't say I learned much new about the history of Bruges,” says a woman, “but then I work as a city guide.”
“On the other hand, I loved how they portrayed the entire story so beautifully. I also know the company that made the show and it has a reputation for being historically correct."
Subtitles via smartphone
The Belfry as Storytelller is staged every evening until 11 July, with two performances each night at 10.30pm and 11pm. The performance is in Dutch, but visitors from abroad or from Wallonia can request subtitles in Dutch, French, English or German using their smartphone.
