Photo EXPO: Belgian Café Culture – Cafébazinnen en Zagemannen
Come and see my photo series about Belgian cafés, their landladies and customs
Photo by Damon De Backer
Hello everyone, there has been a radio silence from my end because I had a big operation. I’m okay, it was nothing life-threatening but nonetheless I needed weeks of recovery and then weeks of catching-up on work. Regular posting will commence from now on.
One of the things I’ve been working on is a new exhibition of my photographic work at the Jenever (gin) museum in Hasselt, Belgium. As per usual my husband and I designed all the graphics so it was another very hands-on period for us. We are so proud of the result so I hope many of you will get a chance to visit the expo which will run until september 1st 2024.
GIVEAWAY for 10 lucky bunnies!
For the opening next week on friday 3 may I have 10 spots you can win by simply being the quickest one to email me at regula at regulaysewijn dot com. The first 10 will not only be invited to the reception but also they will receive a bottle of my limited edition gin with a label designed by my husband Bruno Vergauwen. In addition you will be going home with a book set containing books about gin… I’d love to be the receiver of this amazing prize so be quick! Be sure to check if you can attend, the offer is only for people who can attend the opening event. (sorry to those of you who are abroad)
ABOUT THE EXPO
Cafébazinnen en Zagemannen
In this photo exhibition, culinary historian, author and photographer Regula Ysewijn pays tribute to authentic cafés of Belgium and its culture, to café landladies and landlords behind the bar and to regulars who drink their jenever and beers there. The exhibition – based on her book Belgian Café Culture – is a plea to treat the Belgian café heritage with care.
This is a story close to my heart, especially after creating the book. It was once unthinkable to pass a Belgian village or town and not find numerous cafés. In every village, along every road, at every intersection, these places for distraction and entertainment could be found. Although the public café has a long history as the meeting place par excellence, today these places are threatened with extinction. Precisely because of their everyday character, cafés form an essential part of our cultural-historical heritage. Those who are thirsty are quenched, those who are cold are warmed, and those who are lonely find company and conversation. In the past cafés has various functions, they often also had a shop, a hairdresser, a frituur (chip shop) and today cafés are often still the place where sports clubs, knitting circles, and other associations make their home.
With every café that disappears, not only valuable interiors and objects are lost, but the social fabric is also damaged. There was a time when you had a café on every street corner. And those cafes were all packed with people. Now more and more of these traditional, historical places close down after their last landlord or lady retires, their beauty lost forever. Many of the cafés pictured in this expo (and my book) have already disappeared, this is your last chance to feel their presence.
Jenevermuseum / Gin museum
Tuesday – Sunday: 10 u – 17 u
Witte Nonnenstraat 19, 3500 Hasselt +32 11 23 98 60, jenevermuseum@hasselt.be
When my Jenever (gin) was launched at the museum, with distiller Maarten.