As part of the temporary exhibition, “Bellum et Artes – Europe and the Thirty Years’ War”, the House of European History proudly presents three extraordinary and very different European films that represent and (re)imagine the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648). The films will be introduced in English by film curator Wouter Hessels and will be followed by a Q&A and discussion. Entrance to the screenings is free - registration in advance is mandatory. Before the screening of each film, join us at 18.15 for a 45 minute tour for a guided tour of the Bellum et Artes temporary exhibition, assessing the Thirty Years' War through the lens of different kinds of art. The tour requires registration in advance (links below), and involves an 'active participation' method, based on 'Visible Thinking Routines'. A Jester’s Tale (Bláznova kronika) - Wednesday 13/11/2024 Karel Zeman, Czechoslovakia, 1964. 81’ Original version, EN subtitles. Guided tour (18.15 - 19.00) Film screening (19.00 - 21.30) A Jester’s Tale is an anti-war, black comedy, set during the Thirty Years’ War. The film director and animator Karel Zeman (1910-1989), often called the Czech Georges Méliès, combines live action with animation, inspired by the artistic work and style of the Swiss-born, German engraver Matthäus Merian, who lived during the Thirty Years’ War. Mother Courage and Her Children (Mutter Courage und Ihre Kinder) - Wednesday 20/11/2024 Peter Palitzsch & Manfred Wekwerth, Germany, 1961, 151’, Original version, EN subtitles Guided tour (18.15 - 19.00) Film screening (19.00 - 22.00) Mutter Courage, the political masterpiece by Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956), is set in the 17th century during the Thirty Years’ War. The play follows the fortunes of Anna Fierling, nicknamed ‘Mother Courage’. She wants to make her living from the war that involved all the German states, France and Sweden. Brecht wrote the play in resistance to the rise of fascism and nazism. In 1961, the great anti-war play was adapted for the screen with Brecht’s widow, Helene Weigel in the title role. Nightwatching - Wednesday 27/11/2024 Peter Greenaway, Netherlands/UK/France/Germany/Poland/Canada, 2007, 134’ Original version Guided tour (18.15 - 19.00) Film screening (19.00 - 22.00) Nightwatching is an extravagant fiction film by painter and filmmaker Peter Greenaway (born 1942) that imagines the personal life and art of the famous Dutch Golden Age painter Rembrandt van Rijn. It focuses on the creation of the 1642 painting, “The Night Watch”. Rembrandt (1606-1669), who lived and suffered a lot during the Thirty Years’ War, is one of the greatest visual artists of all time. Rembrandt pays a flamboyant tribute to the Dutch master. About Wouter Hessels Wouter Hessels studied Romance languages & literatures, philosophy and audiovisual and dramatic arts in Antwerp and Brussels. Since 1995 he teaches film and media history at RITCS (Royal Institute for Theatre, Cinema & Sound) in Brussels and film analysis at INSAS (Institut National Supérieur des Arts du Spectacle) in Brussels and at the Royal Academy for Fine Arts in Antwerp. From 2006 to 2011, he was a visiting professor film history at the Baltic Film, Media & Arts School (Tallinn University in Estonia) and from 2020-2022 visiting professor at the ULB (Free Universtity of Brussels). He has been teaching in Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Berlin, Bologna, Prague, Istanbul, Rio de Janeiro, Capetown. In 2011-2012, he was director and curator of The Royal Belgian Film Archive (Cinematek) and now he works as a film curator for Gaasbeek Castle. He writes essays and opinion articles on art, film, media, politics and education. Wouter writes and performs poetry in Dutch, French, English and Italian. His life motto is “Long live life, love and the arts”.

This Kunstendag voor kinderen, come and follow a special art trail around the museum, complete drawing challenges and learn about European history! Have you ever been enchanted by the colourful animals of the Fables Room? Every visitor of the House of European History starts their journey of the museum through a beautiful room, carefully decorated with the animals of the fables of Jean de la Fontaine. But, oh no! Some of the animals have escaped! They want to learn more about the works of art and creative artistic techniques in our museum collection! Can you help us find them? One animal is hiding on each floor of the exhibition - they want you to take a closer look at the artwork they have chosen and try their artistic challenges. During each of the five stops, the animals invite you to look at the art in a different way. In our museum, looking from different angles and perspectives is very important, because there are many sides to a story, and many sides to history! Ask yourself different questions about the art - what shape is it? What does it represent? Does it tell a story? Why is it in a museum? At the end of the trail, come back to the Fables Room and browse through the books of La Fontaine’s Fables from Bimbi Books, a multilingual children’s bookshop based in Ixelles, and use inspiration from your visit to add your favourite object to the collaborative artwork. Are you ready to take the trail? Practical information The trail is available in English, French, Dutch and German. The museum and all activities are free of charge for everyone. This trail is suitable for the whole family from ages six to 99. No pre-registration required – just drop in and get started at the Family Kiosk! The museum is wheelchair and stroller accessible with baby changing facilities onsite and a picnic area on the ground floor. Kunstendag voor kinderen is supported by the Flemish Minister of Culture. The initiative aims to broaden support for the arts by focusing on children and families as a new audience.

Have you ever been enchanted by the colourful animals of the Fables Room? Every visitor of the House of European History starts their journey of the museum through a beautiful room, carefully decorated with the animals of the fables of Jean de la Fontaine. But, oh no! Some of the animals have escaped! They want to learn more about the works of art and creative artistic techniques in our museum collection! Can you help us find them? One animal is hiding on each floor of the exhibition - they want you to take a closer look at the artwork they have chosen and try their artistic challenges. During each of the five stops, the animals invite you to look at the art in a different way. In our museum, looking from different angles and perspectives is very important, because there are many sides to a story, and many sides to history! Ask yourself different questions about the art - what shape is it? What does it represent? Does it tell a story? Why is it in a museum? At the end of the trail, come back to the Fables Room and browse through the books of La Fontaine’s Fables from Bimbi Books, a multilingual children’s bookshop based in Ixelles, and use inspiration from your visit to add your favourite object to the collaborative artwork. Are you ready to take the trail?