Let's have a great day with our families!

Sunday, May 22nd

This year the National Event will be held in the east of Flanders, in Limburg.

Participants will meet at the C-Mine in Genk at 10:00 a.m. The Commission will provide a bus that will leave the Gare Centrale/Centraal Station in Brussels at 8:30 a.m

Chapter Limburg kindly invites you to the Fulbright National Event. Limburg is the easternmost province of  Flanders and is located west of the Maas river. It has an area of 2,414 km² and contains 44 municipalities. Its capital is Hasselt, which is an educational center with a university called UHasselt. Genk is one of the economical centers of the province.

For a long time, Limburg was a socio-economically deprived area.  After André Dumont (1847 - 1920) discovered the first coal in As in 1901, Limburg changed forever. The central part developed into the Mining Region. The last of the seven collieries opened in 1938. After World War II, 44,000 coal miners worked at the collieries - immigrants were attracted to come and work here as well. The rise of oil in the fifties and structural economic problems resulted in the coal mining crisis. In 1966, the first mine was closed and in 1992 coal mining had stopped altogether.  The mining districts now have a multicultural atmosphere with pleasant streets lined with Mediterranean restaurants and houses of prayer.

During our national event we offer you a glance at the way the miners lived and worked, and how the coal mining business had/still has a big impact on Limburg and its development. In the afternoon we'll visit an old coal mine; it's a simulation - but it gives an impression of what work in a coal mine was really like ! The tour is exciting for young & old – moreover, it’s accessible for all.

10.00: visit of C-Mine (Genk), the former coal mine site in Winterslag. C-Mine is a beautiful example of industrial heritage; it promotes culture and creativity
10.50: visit of the Mine-depot on the former coal mine site in Waterschei. Ex-coal mine workers themselves have built an exhibition there that gives an overview of the coal mining history, their life and working conditions in the mines
11.30: visit of the "Cité of Waterschei": a residential garden city in English cottage style; it shows a very typical way of accommodation of the miners and the prestigious mine infrastructure, mixed with green oases and facilities
12.15 : lunch in the Italian club: 'Casa Papa Giovanni' in Winterslag, prepared by Italian immigrants
14.00 : visit to the Ukrainian-Orthodox church
14.45: transport to Beringen
15.15: visit of an underground coal mine
16.30: end of the visit; return to Brussels via Genk.

Price: (excluding drinks at lunch time:) € 30 per person – children (under the age of 12): € 20

For the afternoon visit to the underground coal mine, be sure to bring along some warm clothes!

Please note that no other invitation will be sent.

Please reply by postal mail using the reply form or by email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Deadline for registration: May 6^th

It would be fabulous to have you and your family at this great event!  We count on you.

Cheers !

Ms. Renilde Reynders

Chapter Limburg-Leuven