8th of June 2023 - Flemish fortress cities cooperation started
One of the greatest RFC results is the growing number of fortress cities who are interested in the cooperation and knowledge exchange.
On the 8th of June the start of the cooperation of fortress cities in Flanders was launched in city of Herentals, in partnership with EFFORTS. European Federation of Fortified Sites.
P2 has brought all RFC deliverables, results and projects together in the publication ‘Stronger together’, presented by Wim Debaene on this event on the 8th of June.
https: //www.regionalelandschappen.be/publicaties/rfc
https://www.regionalelandschappen.be/agenda/conferentie-presentatie-van-het-overleg-van-
By the end of 2023 a new meeting will be organised in partner city Oudenaarde in East Flanders, where further steps in cooperation will be made.
Action 1: Lillo masterplan, Virtuafort
The Virtuafort project is integrated in the informative page on the masterplan of Lillo, as a slider to understand better the history and future of the unique fortress.
https://www.antwerpenmorgen.be/nl/projecten/masterplan-lillo-fort-lillo/over
At the moment the city of Antwerp is looking for further development of the product of Virtuafort with the former church in Lillo as possible location for the VR experience and starting point for touristic visits and information point on the masterplan Lillo.
The developer of the VR project has made two attempts to develop the product further into a serious game, unfortunately the applications were not approved (by Flemish Audiovisual Funding). New possibilities are investigated.
Action 2: Fortress Belts > Inter linie as supralocal project on culture with Flemish Funding
In 2023 a new project started ‘Inter linie’ as a cultural project in fortresses around Antwerp – as follow up on the cooperation of fortresses around Antwerp.
https://www.rldv.be/projecten/inter-linie
Inter_Linie, those are artists in Fortress Antwerp!
Six heritage cells are joining forces to once again draw attention to the military heritage in and around Antwerp. They work as a matchmaker and look for artists who want to be inspired by the heritage of Fortress Antwerp.
'Fortress Antwerp' is the collective name for all defense works in and around the city, from the medieval Steen to the Main Resistance Defense Line (or '20 kilometer belt') from the 20th century.
Many of the forts are still (or are again) in use or have acquired great natural value over the years, not least as a 'hostel' for bat colonies. But a number of places were given a (socio-)cultural or tourist interpretation. Over the course of 2023 and 2024, we will examine which locations are suitable for an art intervention or cultural event, and which creative minds are attracted by this.
The public section will also start from 2024. We open the creations to the public at various locations through events, open studios or walking and cycling tours.
Inter_Linie runs until December 2025 and receives the support of Flanders.
Heritage is looking for artists
'Fortress Antwerp' has a long and fascinating history, from the medieval city walls to the Antitankgracht in the Voorkempen. Of course, military heritage does not only attract historians and bats. Artists also like to be inspired by the relics in the landscape that were constructed to defend the city. Inter_Linie is a cultural project that wants to challenge creatives to do something with Antwerp's defense lines.
Are you a visual artist, theater maker, writer or poet and do you feel inspiration bubbling up? Maybe this is your chance. Be sure to let us know!
On 18th of November 2023 a starting event will take place in Fort V Edegem, where artists can get to know more about the fortresses so they can get inspired for their future projects.
Action 3: Herentals Blue Deal ‘Crown project’
In June 2023 The city of Herentals has published an invitation for contractors - Restoring Le Paige crownwork (earthworks and sewerage) - Simplified negotiation procedure with prior announcement.
Discover the fortress wall as historical walk: a city is always developing, that is no different for Herentals. How can we grow as a city while maintaining its attractiveness and quality of life? How do we deal with our changing climate? Recently, many city projects have been presented that have to do with the historic structure of the fortresses. An overarching vision is necessary if we want to preserve the remains of the fortresses and look ahead to a new future. The city is therefore drawing up a fortress plan with a vision for the experience and visibility of the fortresses. Discover the city wall yourself. Walk along our fortresses and stop at one of the 6 locations where you will receive more explanation and interesting facts.
https://www.herentals.be/historische-wandeling
