Reg.Nr. HA-2011/BE/09

"Heart for People's Cafés" project in Flanders and Brussels

Between January 2008 and September 2009 Volkskunde Vlaanderen vzw (VV) ran the project 'Heart for people's cafes' to point out the importance and the value of the people's cafes in Flanders and Brussels, both as important places for social encounters as well as unique components ...
Read more

Project details

Title:"Heart for People's Cafés" project in Flanders and Brussels
Entr. year: 2011
Result:Award
Country: Belgium
Town: Ghent
Category type: Awareness-raising
Architect / Proj.leader: Education, Training and Awareness-Raising
The Jury's citation: "The jury appreciated that this initiative, created by volunteers, raised awareness about an important aspect of Flemish heritage which is threatened by the socio-cultural changes in this region at the heart of Europe. The "People's Cafés" represent a vulnerable heritage which underlines essential and popular solidarity, ever-present in cultural and social development. They provide quality to everyday life, by providing daily meeting places and allowing for communication of people of all ages. They are therefore a strong example for other regions to stabilise the European structures that stimulate neighbourhoods."
GPS:51°2'29,3"N; 3°43'30,5"E
Web, Links:

Description:
Between January 2008 and September 2009 Volkskunde Vlaanderen vzw (VV) ran the project 'Heart for people's cafes' to point out the importance and the value of the people's cafes in Flanders and Brussels, both as important places for social encounters as well as unique components of our cultural heritage. VV came to the conclusion that the people's cafes were closing and disappearing at a vast pace and was convinced that this would mean a great cultural loss. By organizing an awareness campaign and public activities VV generated public support for the topic. VV also aimed to contribute to the safeguarding of the remaining people's cafes. Because the people's cafes combine elements of intangible, tangible and architectural heritage in a specific and typical way, a special approach is required. VV did largescale research on the people's cafes and presented the information to the Flemish government in a viability study, with a number of policy recommendations in the concluding chapter. As a result of the project both the press and many individuals and organisations picked up the message of VV and developed their own initiatives to contribute to securing the future of the remaining people's cafes in Flanders and Brussels.