Travel Notes: 'Manneken Pis' of Brussels (Belgium) And Other Sights

Photo caption: Photos of the famous 'Manneken Pis' taken by my cellphone camera (N6500) during a visit in Brussels, Belgium on October 5, 2008. From the photo collection of Raffy Saldana (http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com)

Note: Before I arrived in Brussels, Belgium last October 4, 2008 I have never heard of 'Manneken Pis.' During my visit in the Grand Place of Brussels I learned that 'Mannekin Pis' is a very famous tourist attraction in Brussels.

Below are some facts about this famous Brussels symbol:

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manneken_Pis

Excerpts:

• Manneken Pis (Dutch for little man pee), also known in French as the petit Julien, is a very famous Brussels landmark. It is a small bronze fountain sculpture depicting a naked little boy urinating into the fountain's basin.
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  On many occasions, the statue is dressed in a costume. His wardrobe now consists of several hundred different costumes. The costumes are changed according to a schedule managed by the non-profit association The Friends of Manneken-Pis, in ceremonies that are often accompanied by brass band music.
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  On occasion, the statue is hooked up to a keg of beer. Cups will be filled up with the beer flowing from the statue and given out to people passing by.
  
  
• There are several legends behind this statue, but the most famous is the one about Duke Godfrey III of Leuven. In 1142, the troops of this two-year-old lord were battling against the troops of the Berthouts, the lords of Grimbergen, in Ransbeke (now Neder-over-Heembeek). The troops put the infant lord in a basket and hung it in a tree, to encourage them. From there, he urinated on the troops of the Berthouts, who eventually lost the battle.
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  Another legend goes like this: In the 14th century, Brussels was under siege by a foreign power. The city had held their ground for quite some time. The attackers had thought of a plan to place explosive charges at the city walls. A little boy named Juliaanske from Brussels happened to be spying on them as they were preparing. He urinated on the burning fuse and thus saved the city.
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  There was already a similar statue made of stone in the middle of the 15th century, perhaps as early as 1388. The statue was stolen several times. In 1619 it was replaced by a bronze statue, created by Franco-Flemish Baroque sculptor Jerome Duquesnoy, father of the more famous François.
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  Another story (told often to tourists) tells of a wealthy merchant who, during a visit to the city with his family, had his beloved young son go missing. The merchant hastily started searching with others all corners of the city, until one member of the search party found the boy happily urinating in a small garden. The merchant, as a gift of gratitude to the locals who helped out during the search, had the fountain built.
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  Another legend was that a small boy went missing from his mother when shopping in the center of the city. The woman, panic-stricken by the loss of her child, called upon everyone she came across, including the mayor of the city. A city-wide search began to find this small child and when at last he was found, he was peeing on the corner of a small street.
  
• The story had passed down over time and the statue erected as tribute to the well known fable.

Photo Links:

Click on the following links to view photos taken during my visit in Brussels, Belgium:

http://booleanlogic.multiply.com/photos/album/172/A_Rainy_Sunday_in_Brussels_Belgium_Autumn_in_Europe_Part_2
http://booleanlogic.multiply.com/photos/album/191/Manneken_Pis_in_Brussels_Belgium_and_Other_Sights_

Suggestion: Choose the 'Slideshow' option.

Cheers,

Raffy

Travel Notes: City Sights of Leuven (Louvain), Belgium

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City Sights of Leuven, Belgium

I was in Leuven (Louvain), Belgium from October 7 – 9, 2008.

Notes on Leuven, Belgium:

Leuven is very proud of its past and its heritage. The first reference to the town of Leuven can be traced back as far as the 9th century. It developed as an important trading center within the Duchy of Brabant in the 11th to 12th Century. It was at this time that its first town wall, churches, monasteries and abbeys were built. The famous University of Leuven was founded in 1425.

Below are some of the interesting sights that I have seen or visited in Leuven:

1. Stadhuis (Town Hall)

2. Sint-Pieterskerk (Saint Peter’s Church)

Saint Peter’s Church is the oldest church in Leuven. It was presumably founded in 986.

3. Tefelrond (Round Table)
This is the third most important building on the Great Market Square. It is late medieval, Gothic in origin. It is now being used as the head office of the National Bank of Belgium.

4. Saint-Antoniuskapel (Saint Anthony’s Chapel)

Saint Anthony’s Chapel is one of the many chapels built over the centuries near the five major parishes of Leuven. It was bought in 1860 by the superior of the Fathers of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary who promised to turn it into a shrine to Saint Joseph. The first pilgrimage took place in 1899. Many pilgrims from over the whole country of Belgium still come mainly during the month of March.

Father Damian is buried in the crypt under the chapel. He was beatified in 1995 and in December 2005 he was elected ‘Greatest Belgian’. Visitors form all over the world come to honor his memory.

5. Railway Station

On the Leuven side of the station there is a very spacious station square and the striking red building of the bus company. Under all this you will find a beautiful and pleasant underground car park.

6. K. U. Leuven (Catholic University of Louvain)

7. Universiteitsbiliotheek (Central University Library)

During the First World War the university library, then housed in the University Hall, ws destroyed by fire. In the 1920, a new library was built in Flemish Renaissance style mainly due to American funding. The carillon in the tower – with its 63 bells, one of the largest in Belgium – is a gift of 16 American engineer associations The library houses more than three million volumes.

8. Fonske (Fons Sapientiae)
In the very heart of Leuven the eternal student Fonske (officially speaking: Fons Sapientiae, Source of Wisdom) pours “science” into his head. Deservedly he has his place in the center of Leuven. Fornske was carved by the artist Jef Claerhout (1975).


What I missed to visit in Leuven:

Beguinages

Goot Begijnhof (Great Beguinages)

The origin of the name ‘begijn’ is unclear. These women only took temporary vows of chastity and obedience to the ‘mistresses’ of their choice. As opposed to the conventuals they did not have to observe the rule of poverty and were therefore able to have private property and an income. For the remainder they provided for themselves via donations made to the ‘begijnhof’. They also generated income from teaching, healthcare, manual labor like embroidery, sewing, washing, spinning.

When the ‘beginhof’ was abolished in 1795 some 198 ‘begijnen’ lived there. The more prosperous ‘begijnen’ had a private residence. The poorer ‘begijnen’ lived together in ‘convents’, community houses. An infirmary was available for the sick and poor old ‘begijnen’.

The Groot Beginhof has the appearance of a small town in the city. It is a succession of streets, squares, gardens and parks, with tens of houses and convents in traditional brick and sandstone style. This small town was restored between 1964 and 1989 by the Catholic University of Leuven who had purchased the site in 1962 from the Social Welfare Commission. Today it houses students and university staff.

On 31 March 2000, it was officially recognized by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Photo Link:

Click on the following link to view photos taken during my visit in Leuven, Belgium.

http://booleanlogic.multiply.com/photos/album/176/Visit_to_Leuven_Louvain_Belgium_October_8_2008

Suggestion: Choose the 'Slideshow' option.

Cheers,

Raffy

Travel Notes: City Sights of Brussels, Belgium

. Figure caption: A portion of Brussels' historic old city center. Source: http://www.ilotsacre.be/site/en/default_en.htm

City Sights of Brussels, Belgium

Note: I visited Brussels, Belgium on October 4 – 7, 2008.

Below are some interesting sights found in Brussels that I have visited or seen:

1. The Grand Place

The Grand Place is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Situated on former marshland, the Grand Place was a center of social, economics, and politics of Brussels from the 12th century A.D.

2. The Royal Palace

This palace is in the style of Louis XVI. Napolean Bonaparte resided in this palace and signed the Peace treaty with Russia.

3. The “Parc de Bruxelles”

This park was formerly the hunting ground of the Dukes of Brabant and was later converted into a well laid-out French garden in the 18th century. In 1830 the park was the principal battlefield where the fight between the Dutch troops and the Belgian insurgents took place.

4. The “Palais de la Nation” (Senate and House of Representatives) can be found at the northern part of the park. It was built in 1783. Originally called the Palace of the States-General in 1817 it became the Palace of the Nation after 1830.

5. The “Palais de Justice” (Law of Courts) was built from 1866 to 1883 in a mixture of Greek, Roman, and Babylonian styles. It is considered to be the biggest European building of the 19th century.

6. The “Petit Sablon” Square

This little garden situated in front of the Notre Dame des Victoires church is surrounded by wrought-iron railings. In the middle of the square stands the Egmond and Hornes’ monument – two noblemen executed by the Spaniards in 1568.

7. The Bourse (Stock Exchange)

This building was built in 1871 in a composite neoclassic and Italian Renaissance style. The French sculptor Rodin participated in the facade’s decoration.

8. Le place Royale (Royale Square)
Erected in the 18th century under the reign of Charles of Lorraine, this square is an example of “classical and proportioned urbanism.” In the middle stands the equestrian monument of Godefroid de Bouillon, first Christian King of Jerusalem. Behind the statue stands the Saint Jacques-sur-Coudenberg Church which was used as a “Temple of the Reason” during the French Revolution.

9. Manneken-Pis Fountain

This small bronze statuette called “the oldest citizen of the city” represents a young hero from the Brussels’ folklore. The Manneken-Pis owns a varied and abundant wardrobe which is kept at the Communal museum.

10. The Anneessens Tower
This remaining section of the 12th century ramparts stands next to the gate where the guild leader Francois Anneessens was imprisoned before his execution in 1719.

11. The “Mont des Artes”


12. The Church of Notre Dame du Sablon


13. St. Michael’s Cathedral
The cathedral features a beautiful gothic edifice which is a synthesis of the all ogival art’s periods from the 13th to the 16th century. Since the Middle Ages, the cathedral has witnessed some of the most historical events taking place in Brussels.

14. Museum of Ancient Art (Royal Museum of Fine Arts). Features paintings of ancient art. Consists mainly of the Flemish school of 14th to 17th century: Breughel, Rubens, Van Dijck, etc.

15. Musical Instruments Museum – MIM (Old England)
Features musical instruments of all periods and countries including 150 unique pieces in the world.

Photo Link:

Click on the following link to view photos taken during my visit in Brussels, Belgium:

http://booleanlogic.multiply.com/photos/album/172/A_Rainy_Sunday_in_Brussels_Belgium_Autumn_in_Europe_Part_2

Suggestion: Choose the 'Slideshow' option.



Cheers,


Raffy

Travel Notes: Five European Countries in Three Weeks

.Figure caption: A portion of European map showing most of the cities that I have visited during the period from October 4 - 23, 2008.

Note: While we are still on semestral break (classes in Ateneo will resume on Monday, November 10, 2008) I thought that I should upload my blog entries during my recent trip in Europe before I become busy with my classes again.

I was in Europe from October 4 - 23, 2008 for a series of meetings, conferences, and laboratory visits [including some sightseeing on the side :) ].

During this period I was able to visit several cities in five European countries (Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg, and Netherlands).

Below are some of the cities/places I have visited during this recent trip:

1. Brussels, Belgium (Oct. 4 - 7)
2. Leuven, Belgium (Oct. 7 - 9)
3. Cologne, Germany (Oct. 9)
4. Bensheim, Germany (Oct. 9 - 13)
5. Darmstadt, Germany (Oct. 10)
6. Wilhemsfeld, Germany (Oct. 11)
7. Heidelberg, Germany (Oct. 11, 13 - 20)
8. Frankfurt, Germany (Oct. 12 and 17)
9. Karsruhe, Germany (Oct. 18)
10. Strasbourg, France (Oct. 18)
11. Manheim, Germany (Oct. 18 and 19)
12. Koblenz, Germany (Oct. 19 - 20)
13. Luxembourg, Luxembourg (Oct. 20 - 21)
14. Amsterdam, Netherlands (Oct. 21 - 23)
15. Lieden, Netherlands (Oct. 22)
16. The Hauge, Netherlands (Oct. 22)
17. Ultrecht, Netherlands (Oct. 22)
18. Schipol Airport (Oct. 4, 22, 23)

In the next blog entries, I will post photos and notes of my travel in these places.

Cheers,

Raffy

EUAsiaGrid Colleagues at the SEACOOP Conference in Brussels, Belgium

. Opening Session of the 2008 Euro-Southeast Asia Cooperation Forum on ICT Research held on October 6-7, 2008 at the Radisson Royal SAS Hotel in Brussels, Belgium.

Dr. Rafael Saldaña (Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines), co-chair of Session 1 (Future Networks).

Dr. Marco Paganoni (right) of Italian National Institute of Nuclear and Particle Physics (INFN, Italy) is shown giving a presentation on the EUAsiaGrid Project (see http://www.eauasiagrid.org/)

Dr. Piyawut Srichaikul (right), Manager, Knowledge Engineering Technology Program of the National Electronics and Technology Institute (NECTEC, Thailand) is shown giving a presentation during the SEACOOP conference in Brussels, Belgium.

Dr. Rafael Saldaña (Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines) with Dr. Piyawut Srichaikul (NECTEC, Thailand)

L-R: Peter Banzon and Denis Villorente of Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI, Philippines); Dr. Suhaimi Napis, Director, InfoComm Development Centre (iDEC), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM); and Dr. Rafael Saldaña, coordinator, Ateneo Grid and High-Performance Computing Group, School of Science and Engineering, Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU, Philippines).

On October 6-7, 2008 I attended the 2008 Euro-Southeast Asia (SEACOOP) Cooperation Forum on ICT Research.

This Forum took place on October 6-7, 2008 at the Radisson SAS Royal Hotel in Brussels, under the aegis of the European Commission and of ASEAN, and with the support of the SEACOOP project. It was the first of its kind ever organized in Europe and attracted around 250 delegates, including over 100 representatives from leading Southeast Asian organisations in the ICT area.

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I chaired Session 1 (Future Networks) together with Pierre Chastanet , Scientific Officer, Unit D1, DG Information Society and Media, European Commission.

Several of my colleagues in the EUASIA Grid Project (see http://www.euasiagrid.org/) were also present during the conference in Brussels. Shown above are some photos of my EUASIAGrid colleagues and me during the SEACOP conference in Brussels, Belgium.

Related Links:

http://www.eurosoutheastasia-ict.org/coop_forum.html

http://www.euasiagrid.org/

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Flight Details: Manila to Belgium, October 4, 2008

THIS IS THE ITINERARY AND RECEIPT FOR RAFAEL MR SALDANA.

IF UNABLE TO USE THE E-TICKET, IF TRAVEL PLANS CHANGE OR IF YOU RECEIVED THIS DOCUMENT IN ERROR, PLEASE CALL KLM AT: +63 2 886 7540

PASSENGER INFORMATION
PASSENGER NAME	E-TICKET NUMBER	NUMBER LOYALTY PROGRAM
RAFAEL MR SALDANA

ITINERARY INFORMATION
DATE	FLIGHT	DEPARTING	ARRIVING	DATE	CLASS	BAGGAGE
04OCT	KL 0804	MANILA N AQUINO	AMSTERDAM	04OCT	Q	20K
10:45		MNL	AMS	18:35

For Session Chairs, SEACOOP Conference, Brussels, Belgium

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(This email is sent to all session chairpersons)

Dear all,

Thank you again for having accepted to chair a session of the 2008 Euro-Southeast Asia Cooperation Forum on ICT Research, to be held on Oct. 6-7 in Brussels.

Beyond the “Information and guidelines for speakers and chairmen” you have already received but which I reattach for your convenience, I think it might be useful that, before each stream of 3 parallel sessions, a meeting can be organised with the 6 session chairpersons (3 European and 3 Southeast Asian chairpersons) so that the organisation of each session can be fine tuned if necessary and to address any last minute questions you may have.

I therefore propose you that we meet, 30’ before your session starts, in the Oslo room located near the registration desk (the staff on site will give you further indications on how to reach this room).

I am very happy to have the opportunity to meet you in some days from now.

Best regards
___________________________________________

Roger Torrenti
Coordinator of the SEACOOP FP7 project

URL: http://www.eurosoutheastasia-ict.org
Tel: +33 (0) 493 958 530
Mob: +33 (0) 612 322 728
Fax: +33 (0) 493 958 477

Invitation: SEACOOP Conference, Brussels, Belgium

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Mr. RAFAEL P. SALDAÑA
School of Science and Engineering
Ateneo de Manila University
PHILIPPINES

INVITATION LETTER

September 16, 2008

Dear Mr. Saldaña,

We have the pleasure to invite you to participate in the “2008 Euro-Southeast Asia Cooperation Forum on ICT research” to be held on October 6-7, 2008 in Brussels, under the aegis of the European Commission and of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

This Forum is organised with the support of the SEACOOP project, funded by the European Commission, and which we have the privilege to coordinate.

We count on your presence to allow the event fully achieving its main objective: to contribute to the development of strategic cooperation on ICT research between Europe and Southeast Asia.

Please note that all expenses related to the visit will be covered by the project budget allocated for ASTI.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for any further information you might need.

With my best regards.

Roger Torrenti
CEO
Coordinator of the SEACOOP project
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2008 Euro-Southeast Asia Cooperation Forum on ICT Research (Brussels, Belgium)

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Figure Caption: Vicinity map of the Radisson SAS Royal Hotel in Brussels, Belgium -- venue of the 2008 Euro-Southeast Asia Cooperation Forum on ICT Research.

On October 6-7, 2008 I will participate in the 2008 Euro-Southeastasia Cooperation on ICT Research to be held at the Radisson Royal SAS Hotel in Brussels, Belgium under the sponsorship of the SEACOOP project through ASTI (Advanced Science and Technology Institute of the Department of Science and Technology).

This conference event will be the first of its kind ever organised in Europe and is planned to be a key milestone in the development of EU-Southeast Asia cooperation on ICT research. Over 200 delegates, including 70 to 100 representatives from leading Southeast Asian organisations in the ICT area, are expected to participate.

Held only some weeks before the launch of an important FP7 call for proposals related to the ICT theme (Call 4), this Forum will particularly aim at thoroughly discussing the opportunities of strategic cooperation presented in the Strategic Projects section of the SEACOOP website (http://www.eurosoutheastasia-ict.org/events.html).

Dr. Rafael P. Saldaña

Coordinator

Ateneo Grid and High Performance Computing Group

School of Science and Engineering

Ateneo de Manila University

Loyola Heights, Quezon City

PHILIPPINES

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