TOURISM: ANTWERP AT A GLANCE

Antwerp city at night


SARAH DEVOS is a Belgian author, residing in the city of Antwerp. Her tourism book called  "200 PLACES YOU NEED TO SEE AS A TOURIST IN ANTWERP" has been published.

"Once in your lifetime, dare to deviate from your route to discover new places," suggests Sarah Devos.

The book is a collection of classic, personal interests, and favorite places for tourists to visit in Antwerp. "It is not a book for only tourists but for Belgians and the citizens of Antwerp as well", said Sarah.

"Why would you like to travel this summer, when close by there are many places of interest to discover in Antwerp?" Asks Sarah Devos.

Out of 200 places of interest to visit in Antwerp, Sarah has selected her favorite 5 to be discovered. Curiosity killed the cat; therefore, let's find out about us.

REIGERSBOS, BERENDRECHT

At first sight, the place seems to be just a normal forest, but in the end, you will come to the "Berendrecht", stretching about five hundred meters wide. 

It is the biggest loch (an arm of the sea) in the world. Coincidentally, one may suddenly see one of the giant container ships sailing past.

MUSEUM PLANTIN-MORETUS

This compulsory. One has to rent an audio guide. Surprisingly, you will find yourself back in the olden days, exploring through historical monuments dated as far as five centuries ago, with the cracking sound of the two oldest surviving machines in your ears.

CONSCIENCEPLEIN (CONSCIENCE SQUARE)

The conscience Plein is a classic square full of personal emotions, according to Sarah. "When I went there for the first time with my love, we had a wonderful day with Ice cream. Said Sarah. 

The place is also a square of history. Do you know that the place is the first car-free square in Antwerp?" Asks Sarah. Really, the square is the right romantic place for a tourist attraction or to see.

EXOTIC MARKET, THEATREPLEIN (THEATRE SQUARE)

"What better way to learn and get to know the city than with a visit to one of the exotic markets? Asks Sarah. On Saturdays, I visit the market. 

I love to see the sellers with loud voice advertising their goods and calling for customers for their olives, tapenades, and other delicious products. A perfect Saturday, I often end the day by sitting on my terrace watching passers-by". Said Sarah.

SINT-JANSKERK en OMGEVING BORGERHOUT (Saint-John's Church and the environment of Borgerhout)

According to Sarah, she lives by the church towers in Borgerhout. The St. John's church or the Pepper House is a key place amongst the top five places tourists could visit. 

"Who still assumes that Borgerhout is scum and a dejected neighborhood?" Asked Sarah, urging everyone to come and discover the truth by walking around. 

"The neighborhood is a really lively place, with both the young, old, and families living there. There are splendid cafés and restaurants. Next year starts the construction of the "Rantjes Krugerplein". Concluded Sarah.

The book 200 places you have to see when in Antwerp,
is available at the bookshops. The publisher of the book
is "Lannoo Publishers". Price per copy-9.95 euros

CULLED FROM THE MAGAZINE "THE NIEUWE ANTWERPENAAR".
Number 47. July-August 2011, edition.

POLYGAMY AND EUROPE'S ECONOMY DEMAND ONE MAN, ONE WIFE

One man, three wives, a common thing to see in Islamic polygamy

Europe is gradually becoming a polygamous continent, due to migrations and settlements by people coming from countries with their own contrasting laws and cultures.

They follow the doctrine of the Koran and enter into polygamous marriages, before migration and within Europe, without realizing that it is an offense since polygamous marriages do not conform to the European pattern.

Polygamy is very common in Muslim countries, where women do not have civil rights, no education, can't own property, can't drive, and can't even vote. It's only a few of these countries are rich; most are very poor because women are kept at home and are restricted from contributing to the economy.

In Turkey, a country that wants to join the European Union, around 187,000 women are in polygamous marriages, according to a report carried out by AFP. However, Turkey is not the only country facing the issue of polygamy. Britain, Germany, and France are experiencing the same phenomenon.

For example, if Mr. Abdullai (Not referring to any person dead or alive) migrates from Turkey to live in Germany, France, Britain, or Belgium, with three wives, amongst the women, who is to be known as Mrs. Abdullai? 

And if each of the women is to give birth to four or five children each, totaling 20, who will be responsible for their welfare apart from the man? The government.

This is the reason Polygamy shouldn't be encouraged in Europe, because it drains the national coffers of a country, and could render a country's economy totally poor. 

Polygamy could drain the taxpayers' money and destroy a booming economy. That is the reason many countries practicing those polygamous marriages are virtually poor, and their people seek greener pastures in other European countries that do not permit that.

"ONE MAN, ONE WIFE" is the slogan. Intuitively, this makes a lot of sense.

FILM: OLIVER SCHMITZ'S 'LIFE, ABOVE ALL'

African film on Aids


LIFE, ABOVE ALL, is a film by Oliver Schmitz, a White South-African residing in Germany. Oliver wants to raise awareness of the world about the AIDS epidemic in South Africa. 


The film was presented at the 2010 Cannes premiere. It's a film based on a Canadian novel and financed in Europe.

Almost six million South Africans are infected with HIV, killing thousands of people each day with AIDS. The AIDS epidemic is disastrous, silencing the dead, but the living are crying, wailing, and calling for help. 

Life, Above All" is trying to send a message of hope about an epidemic that has killed millions and will probably take millions to their untimely grave.

The film is about the difficult adolescence of Chandra, played by actress Khomoso Manyaka, in her first role in her acting career. The background of the story is sad but educational. 

Chandra has a bright future, as her school results were excellent. She has the opportunity to study further, but she has to wait.

She has other plans. Chandra has to arrange the burial for her baby sister and her junior brother. Her mother was not only sad, but the problems took their toll on her experience depression every day. It is worth for one to watch this film.

The background of the film was made with an excellent story, hoping this movie carries the message that could change the present situation in South Africa.