Battle re-enactment
I am away this weekend and the thing I am most sorry to miss is De Quaeye Werelt, which is on the Saturday and Sunday from 10 – 6pm. As a family, we go to this every year. It is a re-enactment event and the year is 1477 and Sterckshof (Rivierenhof) is transformed into a Medieval Village for the weekend. It’s great to see the re-enactors in character roles and wearing their medieval costumes. There are also all sorts of stall and stands selling olde worlde food, drink, clothing and accessories. There is even a medieval apothecary. For kids, there is a puppet theater and usually some beheading, as well as the space of Sterckshof to run around and enjoy. There is also music. One of the main attractions is a battle re-enactment that takes place at 3pm. This is very noisy and action packed. You may wish to bring ear-defenders for youngsters. It is free, and the food and drink are reasonably priced, but it’s also fine to take a picnic of your own. I totally recommend this event!
Also over the whole weekend is Barrio Cantina Food Truck Festival on Steenplein, from midday on the 3rd, 4th & 5th.
HERE’S THE MAP!
Friday
BATS hold their regular Open Evening from around 8.30pm. This seems like a good opportunity to also plug their 60th Variety Show at The Little Theatre, which will be a ‘Best of …’
Head to the Harmoniepark for their neighbourhood party: dancing, music, DJs cocktails from 6pm…. to reserve for the BBQ go to www.harmoniewijk.be
Saturday
Dedicated followers of fashion may wish to see the Royal Academy of Fine Arts fashion students’ Graduation Show at the Paardenmarkt Campus. Tickets are 10 and 5 euros.
The biggest fleamarket this weekend can be found on Sint Jansplein from 10 am, while on Groenplaats there’s an Indian festival from 1pm. Find out more here.
Thrill seekers! Antwerp’s annual funfair –Sinksenfoor -opens at Spoor Oost. The Grand Opening starts at 2pm. Sinksenfoor will be there until the 9th July.
… For something a bit different – catch a brass band or two at Veemarkt from 2pm …
Sunday
First Sunday of the month means Sunday shopping and it would be a good idea to combine this with Boulevard National which takes place round the Nationalestraat and the Kammenstraat. Shops will be open but there will also be stands, food, tastings and music between midday and 6pm. Alternatively, stop for a pint and a great sandwich at one of my favorite Antwerp bars – An Sibhin.
Go dancing under a bridge at Draakplaats at 3pm, or enjoy bands for free at Borgerhout Bougeert from 4pm.
Register for The Sint Andries run in the area on the same day, or check out Ieder Zenne Meug design market on Bogaard Plein if you are not feeling quite that energetic.
Temperatures are going to be pleasant this weekend, but cooling off to the early 20s after Friday, which will be pretty hot at 26 degrees. Friday afternoon could also see some storms, and there is the possibility of light rain on Saturday at around lunch time. Sunday will be the coolest day, but should be dry all day
Miscellaneous
Please note that during July I will be away. As was the case last year, there will be a Big Fat Summer Post (pressing on the 29th June) for the time that I am not here to write weekly posts.
Monday is a public holiday (Pentecost) and there will be a Goegekregen fleamarket on Theaterplein, from 9am -6pm.
Buurtpleintjes is an initiative from Stad Antwerpen offering free sporting activities on local squares around the city. Last year my son really enjoyed a series of free basketball lessons on Sint Andriesplaats as part of this initiative. Start by checking here to see what’s on offer near you.
During summer Antwerp offers two open-air swimming pools which are now open! It is free to swim at Boekenberg, but there is a small entrance charge at the Linkeroever pool (it is also recommended that you have a 1 euro coin with you to use the lockers; and your A-kaart, if you have one).
Runners -here’s a run with a difference: Silver Run takes you up and down tower blocks, on the 11th June, for which you can register now. It does cost to take part, unless you live in social housing, in which case it is free.
I’m proud to share my first guest blog post on Nessascityblog! If you missed it, have a read of Dolrish’s personal story of coming to live and work in Antwerp, all the way from the Philippines. And if you’d like to contribute and tell your story, please get in touch via [email protected]
Don’t forget to find and follow Nessascityblog on …
Facebook (in conjunction with London Calling)
Twitter
