Visit Flanders Media Luncheon

H.E. Mrs Karen Van Vlierberge (Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Ireland) was joined by the Visit Flanders UK & Ireland team of Andrew Daines (Director) and Anita Rampall (Press Manager) to host a media luncheon in the luxurious surroundings of the ambassador’s residence on Dublin’s Ailesbury Road. The occasion was to announce the upcoming reopening on 24 September of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Antwerp (KMSKA) which has been closed for 11 years for a comprehensive renovation.

The ambitious (and already award-winning) construction of an entire new building within the existing 19th century museum is complete, as is the renovation of the original museum back to its beautiful former glory. The hanging and positioning of 615 works of art is now almost complete. The new KMSKA is more than just a house for art, it is a work of art itself.

Flanders’ largest museum is a cultural hotspot for art enthusiasts from all over the world: the collection of fine arts spans seven centuries and is one of Europe’s greatest galleries. In its imposing building with freshly restored historical and redesigned rooms, the KMSKA now wants to make its rich art tradition and art-historical expertise accessible to a wide audience again. The museum is described as bold, antagonising, fun, multipurpose, pure magic, inviting and is a stimulating, absorbing and spectacular experience awaiting visitors.

There are of course other great reasons to visit Flanders but perhaps this is the most anticipated, because of its long awaited re-opening.