#parlamentarium

[gospocki]

Parlamentarium - Brussels 🇧🇪

[nikonstudio]

Something that I missed on my last trip to the capital of the EU - Parlamentarium here in Brussels. It was an extremely short visit that got us through within an hour.

The free audio guide was just OK, considering that the overall experience was too brief in my opinion. Very superficial introduction on the formation of the european union but nevertheless, somewhat hampered by lack of anything beyond static displays. Just too unengaging if you compared to the exhibits found in Americas.

All thanks to the 1.7 aperture, no images went above ISO 1000, which was what I really like about Nikon cameras. How? By dragging the shutters beyond the law of normacy! That's how I always get to keep the higher dynamic range of each shot in darker places.

And yes, the Parlamentarium is free admission.

[fusionofhorizons]

Capital of Europe

[revemo]

[laboitepostale]

Au coeur de l'Union européenne

Bruxelles, 1 février

À la fine pointe de la technologie, dynamique et complet, le Parlamentarium,le musée du Parlement européen à Bruxelles, est un espace muséal impressionnant; à la fine pointe ce qu’on peut offrir en terme d’accessibilité. J’ai eu la chance de le visiter par un dimanche pluvieux au début février. Ouvert tous les jours, le Parlamentarium est une façon originale de découvrir les assises de la formation de l’Europe jusqu’aux défis auxquels l’Union européenne aura à faire face dans les prochaines années.

Le centre offre une incursion (gratuite!) au centre de Europe, et ce dans 24 langues différentes. Grâce à des guides multi-médias connectés à chaque installation du musée, les visiteurs peuvent avoir accès aux informations dans la langue de leur choix. Le musée propose également en ce moment, une exposition temporaire Fashion artEU où j’ai pu découvrir les œuvres de plusieurs artistes européens. La beauté des vêtements et la diversité des techniques et des matériaux utilisés m’a beaucoup impressionné. 

Crée par le Fashion Art Institute de Madrid, l'exposition propose 28 ensembles qui s'inspirent à la fois des racines culturelles de chaque État membre de l'UE et des valeurs communes de l'Europe.

Par tous ces aspects, le Parlamentarium est l’un des musées les plus accessibles que j’ai visités. Cependant l’aspect même de ces innovations rend le tout assez aseptisé. Le musée ne manque pas d’originalité et d’interactivité qui saura plaire aux petits et grands. Par contre, ce qui m’a frappée, c’était la froideur qui se dégageait de l’expérience. Les yeux rivés sur leur écran, écouteur bien vissé dans leur oreille, les visiteurs n’interagissaient pas encore eux. On se serait cru sur une ligne de métro le lundi matin 8 h 30; tous dans leur bulle, sans jamais penser à partager avec leur compagnon ou leurs enfants. Je me demande si les musées deviendront bientôt des endroits froids où le partage ne se fait plus. Une journée au musée n’est-elle pas synonyme de sociabilité? « Scotché » à nos écrans, on oublie qu’on est venu au musée avec nos amis, notre famille. Qu’est-ce qu’un musée aussi intéressant et important qu’est le Parlamentarium pourrait faire pour rendre l’expérience plus vive et humaine?

Si vous ne pouvez pas vous rendre à Bruxelles, je vous suggère de profiter des visites virtuelles du Parlamentarium que vous trouverez ici.

Laurence

[life-begins-at-21]

First full day in Brussels

After a basic continental breakfast in the hostel I headed over to the eastern part of the city.

A short walk from the Trône metro station was the Royal Palace of Brussels. Golden gates stand between the pavement and the perfectly manicured front garden. As I was taking a palace selfie a group of Boy Scouts walked past and gave me some funny looks. It could have been worse - I could have been using a selfie stick. 

Royal Palace of Brussels.

Across the ridiculously wide road in front of the palace - which I'm still not sure how I managed to cross without getting hit - is a sweet little park. I sat on a bench and checked my map while joggers and dog walkers went past. By the entrance opposite the Belgian Senate is a collection of statues which really stood out against the bare branches of the trees around them.

This was roughly the point at which I got lost. I was trying to find the Parlamentarium - the EU museum - which was supposedly a seven minute walk from the station. The way I went it definitely wasn't seven minutes. I gazed up at the huge glass buildings that house different components of the EU. The modern structures are impressive but rather soulless when you compare them to the older buildings such as the Royal Palace. 

One of the many EU buildings.

After walking past the seemingly endless number of EU buildings I got to Cinquantenaire Park. The main attraction of the park for most people is the impressive Arc de Triomphe which sits at the top of a hill and reminded me of Berlin's Brandenburg Gate. For me, however, the main attraction was an excitable Labrador who decided that jumping up at strangers and chewing sticks was the most important thing in the world. Also in the park is the Royal Museum of art and history which I didn't visit.

Arc de Triomphe.

Still lost, I wandered in the direction of the Parlamentarium which I found around twenty minutes later nestled next to the European Parliament. I found it a bit odd that a section of the Berlin wall was in front of the Parliament. I suppose it was to show how far we've come since the creation of the EU - a theme that comes up a lot in Brussels.

European Parliament and Berlin Wall segment.

The Parlamentarium itself was fantastic. Each guest gets given an audioguide (available in every official language in the EU) which is activated each time you tap on the icon next to an exhibit. The Parlamentarium is very interactive, with touch screens and activities for adults and children. My favourite part was pushing around a podium across a giant floor map to choose the part of Europe I wanted to watch a video about. All of the exhibits are highly educational and tell the story of the EU right from its origins to the present day. 

From the museum I wandered back towards the Grand Place - taking detours as something interesting caught my eye. I came across the Palais de Justice - law courts built in the 19th century. They have been under renovation for many years and one could go in past the scaffolding to what I assume is the main lobby area. The sound of teenagers on skateboards echoed through the empty space and graffiti spoiled what was undoubtedly once a beautiful building. Little light was able to enter parts of the lobby and it reminded me of a video game where you have to battle the bad guys in derelict old structures. It was all a bit eery.

From a balcony inside the Palais de Justice.

After a stroll around the Christmas markets once again (and buying some ridiculously expensive chocolate) I ended up eating in a place called 'Mannekin Frites' Being a vegetarian, kebab shops became my friend in Brussels for their falafel and chips and this one drew me in with its incredibly classy logo.

Before heading back to the hostel I just managed to catch the musical show at Saint Katherine. At set times during the festive period a dancing fairy is projected on to the Cathedral, She flits around in time to the music and I must admit it had me feeling very Christmassy.

You can just make out the fairy in the centre.

[revemo]

Choisis ta planète, Quitte tout ce que tu connais, Commence une nouvelle vie, Celle qui te plaît. Y a beaucoup de possibilités, C'est à toi de décider, Apprends à partir, Et à oublier.