One Foot in America: Jewish Emigrants of the Red Star Line and Eugeen Van Mieghem

Illustrated Lecture on Antwerp Artist Eugeen Van Mieghem

Thursday, October 21st - Brussels

Come join members of the American Club of Brussels for a fascinating evening on the work of the Belgian artist Eugeen Van Mieghem.

Van Mieghem (1875 - 1930), specialized in painting, drawing, and sketching emigrants on their way to the New World via the Red Star Line out of Antwerp, and the dock-workers, tramps, bargees, and hangers-on in the port area.

Van Mieghem’s work is especially important to Americans, because about 2.7 million Eastern Europeans and others seeking a better life set sail for America from Antwerp harbor in the early decades of the last century.

International art critics compare Van Mieghem’s work to that of figures like Käthe Kollwitz, de Toulouse- Lautrec, and Van Gogh. When it comes to capturing social reality, his work has much of the compassion, power, and authenticity of Jean-François Millet’s.

Erwin Joos, the director and curator of the Van Mieghem Museum in Antwerp, is a passionate and lively speaker. He comes prepared with numerous slides and other illustrations. He is also the author of several books on Van Mieghem, including Antwerp-New York: Eugeen Van Mieghem (2006).

Event Details
Date: Thursday, October 21
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Place: Renaissance Hotel Brussels (Rue du Parnasse 19, 1050 Brussels)
Cost: € 10

The illustrated lecture will last about one hour and will be followed by a short Q & A time. There will be a cash bar with drinks and nibbles afterwards. Mr. Joos will be available to sign and sell some of his books.

Reservations are due by noon on Friday, October 15th online at www.americanclubbrussels.org, by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or by telephone to 02.219.58.08. Payment to ACB at 427-9195881-44 will confirm your reservation. Be sure to mention “Van Mieghem - Fulbright” in the communications section of the payment slip.

Note that cancellations are possible until close of business on Friday, October 15th. Participants cancelling after this time, as well as no- shows, are charged the full cost of the event.

Dinner with Ambassador Kennard

Wednesday, October 13th - Brussels

The Fulbright Alumni Association and the Pioneers Club of the American Club of Brussels have the pleasure of inviting you to a dinner on Wednesday, October 13th, at 7:30 p.m. at the Château Sainte- Anne/Sint-Anna Kasteel in Brussels. The Honorable William Kennard, Ambassador of the United States of America to the European Union, will be the guest speaker over dinner.

The Pioneers’ Club was created in the 1970s by a small group of American and Belgian members of the American Club of Brussels who felt the necessity to have a special group within the Club for those members having long-term interests in the Brussels Community and who have been members of the ACB for ten years or more.

Spouses, partners, and guests are cordially invited to attend this dinner. Attire is black tie or business attire. Dinner participation: € 80 pp. Payment to the ACB Account 427-9195881-44 with the reference “Fulbright Pioneers Dinner” will confirm your registration. Please contact the ACB’s administrative office to reserve by telephone at 02 219 58 08 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . R.S.V.P. by September 30th. Cancellations are possible until close of business on Friday, October 8th. Members canceling after that date, or no-shows, will be charged the full cost of the event.

We look forward to seeing you at this prestigious event!

Margaret Nicholson
Executive Director and President, American Club of Brussels

FAAB Fall Event 2010

Saturday, October 9th - Antwerp

Chapter Antwerp-Flanders has the pleasure of inviting all FAAB members to the annual Fall Event, which will take place in Antwerp on Saturday, October 9.

Antwerp is famous for culture, fine arts, excellent gastronomy and is the diamond city of the world, but did you know that Antwerp has made quite a reputation for itself as a fashion center? The Antwerp Academy has already produced several international top fashion designers and the streets surrounding the “MODENATIE” (Fashion Nation) are bustling with talent. This major fashion movement started in the late 80s, the so-called ‘Antwerp six’: Walter Van Beirendonck, Ann Demeulemeester, Dries Van Noten, Dirk Van Saene, Dirk Bikkembergs and Marina Yee. When they went to London to show their collections, they conquered the world with their very explicit views on fashion. In recognition of their contribution to the field, the Antwerp Fashion Museum opened in 2002.

We will meet at the Fashion Museum (Nationalestraat 28, www.momu.be) at 10:15 a.m. Attending members are advised to use public transport where feasible; the museum is within easy walking distance of “Groenplaats”. Those who do wish to come by car can make use of the underground parking at Groenplaats, or in various commercial parking garages in the neighborhood.

Starting at 10:30 a.m., English-speaking guides will escort us in small groups through the permanent and temporary exhibits. At the time of our visit, the museum will host an exhibit on British hat designer Stephen Jones, who worked with the most well known names in fashion: Jean Paul Gaultier, Thierry Mugler, Comme des Garçons, Claude Montana, John Galliano, Christian Dior, Azzedine Alaïa, Walter Van Beirendonck, Marc Jacobs, ... One of the world’s largest collections of his work will be on display. The museum Gallery features a selection of the best local fashion students’ work.

We’ll allow for some time to visit the collection or the excellent bookshop after the guided tour. We gather again at the main entrance at noon for a short walk to the nearby Paleis op de Meir restaurant (www.paleisopdemeir.be), where lunch will be served in the fantastic décor of a recently completely restored 250 year old city palace. The building was once owned by Napoleon, William I of Holland and more recently, the Belgian Royal family! Even now, individuals cannot freely visit the building – enjoying lunch at the restaurant therefore also represents a nice chance to view some of the interior.

Both fish and vegetarian main dish options are available to suit all preferences; a Veuve Cliquot champagne aperitif, wine and water are included, as are desserts and coffee (or tea) afterwards. Please make sure to indicate your preferred menu option in the reply slip.

Menu:

• Wild sea bass with grapefuit Bourbon vanilla OR Porc fillet with tarte tatin of red cabage, red onion, pear and potato
• White chocolate mousse with blood orange Espuma

The afternoon program is left to the individual participants, who may choose to enjoy the many apparel shopping opportunities on the Meir, the bargain or antique books offered at nearby de Slegte, or the many sightseeing opportunities near the “Grote Markt”. October 9 also marks the 23rd Antwerp Sail Race (www.antwerprace.be), where vessels both large and small starting from Breskens, Terneuzen or Hoboken will arrive in Antwerp. Thousands are expected to gather alongside both sides of the river to enjoy the view.

Registration for the full program costs 50 euros per person, which covers the museum entry, guide and lunch costs. Please make sure to return the reply slip and transfer full payment by September 27 at the latest, as guide and catering services require the final number of participants well in advance. Also, guide and catering capacity limitations force us to cap the number of participants; enroll early to ensure your spot!

Those who do not wish to join in for lunch may opt to enroll in the limited program, which covers only the museum entrance and guided tour, at the reduced price of 20 euros. Please observe the same registration deadline.

We hope to greet as many participants as in previous years, and that you will enjoy the event as much as you did then!

Dr. Guy Hermans
President Chapter Flanders-Antwerp