Social Program
The social program of the DSSV-ECDA 2023 conference will include a reception and gala dinner on Wednesday July 5, 2023 at the Victor Horta Art Nouveau restaurant in the city center of Antwerp. Furthermore, the Antwerp City Council offers a reception in the Town Hall (with limited number of participants) on Thursday July 6, 2023. Find more information about the event below. You can find an overview of other restaurants and bars in the iconic city center of Antwerp here.
Reception & Gala Dinner on Wednesday July 5 2023
Reception at Horta Art Nouveau restaurant
Date: Wednesday 5th July 2023
Time: 19:00-20:00
Seated Gala Dinner at Horta Art Nouveau restaurant
Date: Wednesday 5th July 2023
Time: 20:00-23:00
Location
Venue: Horta Art Nouveau Room, Antwerp – Hopland 2, 2000 Antwerp (see Google Maps below)
Reception on Thursday July 6 2023 (limited seats)
Reception at City Hall Antwerp
Date: Thursday 6th July 2023
Time: 18:00-20:00
Location
Venue: Town Hall, Antwerp – Grote Markt 1, 2000 Antwerp
About Town Hall Antwerp
On Grote Markt, you cannot miss the Town Hall. The impressive building, along with the Brabo statue, is the focal point of the square.
The Town Hall, today the beating heart of Antwerp politics, was built in the 16th century. Architect Cornelis Floris de Vriendt chose a unique combination of traditional style with innovative elements from the Italian Renaissance. In 1936, the building was officially recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
After a thorough restoration between 2018 and 2022, the building now shines like never before, both inside and out. The exterior facade has been restored in keeping with the colour palette of a 1565 engraving. Admire the flags of the 27 countries that belong to the European Union, as well as the flags of all countries that have their consulates in Antwerp.
On the upper floors, the mayor aldermen and cabinet have their offices. There you will also find the famous Wedding Hall and Long Gallery, along with meeting rooms for the board and City Council.
About Victor Horta
Victor Horta was a Belgian architect who is considered to be one of the pioneers of Art Nouveau architecture. He was born in Ghent in 1861 and studied architecture at the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts in Brussels.
Horta is best known for his ornate and decorative buildings, which were characterized by their use of curving lines and organic forms. He was particularly interested in the integration of a building’s exterior and interior, and he often used materials such as glass, iron, and stone in innovative ways to create a seamless transition between the two.
Some of Horta’s most famous works include the Maison du Peuple in Brussels, the Hôtel Tassel in Brussels, and the Hôtel van Eetvelde in Brussels. His work had a major influence on the development of Art Nouveau architecture, and he is considered to be one of the foremost architects of this movement. Horta died in 1947, but his work continues to be admired and studied by architects and designers around the world.
