MPPDE will take place at the Department of Translation, Interpreting and Communication. All the conference papers will be hosted in the A-Building, situated at Abdisstraat 1, Ghent. An interactive map showing the location can be found on the department’s website. For general information on Ghent University (key tasks), see this publication or the website
The City of Ghent
Ghent (in Dutch: Gent) lies in the heart of Flanders, between Bruges, Antwerp and Brussels. After first evolving from a group of settlements near the confluence of the rivers Schelde and Leie, including one around the castle of the counts of Flanders, Ghent soon prospered due to the textile trade, which made it one of the largest and richest cities north of the Alps during the high and late Middle Ages. Several kings and emperors had to face down its citizens’ stubbornness and wrath as they rose up to defend their privileges and autonomy.
Throughout the ages, Ghent has been at the crossroads of the major political and economic trends and events of Western Europe. Spanish, Austrian, German, Dutch, French, English and other influences have enriched the city with a unique blend of styles, traditions, architecture, and culinary styles. Thanks to its rich medieval and post-medieval heritage, and an appealing mix combining an imposing past with a lively present, Ghent is often referred to as the historical heart of Flanders and one of the most beautiful cities of Europe. At half an hour from Brussels, and easily accessible by car or public transport, Ghent has everything your heart desires, whether you are a lover of art and culture, or come here for shopping, a good meal or a night of fun and entertainment.
A centre of the textile industry until well into the 20th century, Ghent is now an important economic hub with a modern international port, and a cultural hub due not least to its concentration of higher education institutions, which include the joint hosts of this conference, Ghent University (UGent) and University College Ghent (HoGent). Ghent nearly equals Bruges in terms of museums, canals and bars, and surpasses its neighbour and rival in terms of contemporary art, theatres and music venues. Any list of “things to see” should include the medieval port, the Gravensteen Castle, the belfry, the cathedral with the famous late-Gothic painting “The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb” by the brothers Van Eyck, the Church of Saint Nicolas, the three beguinages, the city’s award-winning history museum (STAM), several monasteries, etc. Check the city’s tourism website http://www.visitgent.be/en/home for more information.
Information on how to reach Ghent can be found on the travel page.
A map (pdf) can be downloaded here. Click here for an interactive map.