17 November 2006 at 09:02 posted by Bart Van Belle 2 Comments

There's a videomessage from Tom on Youtube to support the Red Het Zeemanshuis-campaign.



2 Responses so far.

  1. Erin says:

    Very interesting, but sadly I don't speak Flemish. Is it possible for someone to briefly outline what this campaign is about?

    Thanks!

  2. Anonymous says:

    Hi Erin,

    Translated Tom Barman says:
    "When you are going to demolish something, do it in a constructive way! Save 'het Zeemanshuis' "'

    The video is part of a campaign which is about saving a modernist building from the fifties called "Zeemanshuis" in Antwerp. The building gives refuge to seamen who arrive in the port of Antwerp. Every big harbour has this obligation. Basically they are offered cheap hotel accomodation.

    But het "zeemanshuis" also has following functions:
    - low budget hotel
    - theatre
    - meeting point for the elderly
    - open green spot for the neighborhood
    - a detox clinic
    - conference & meeting rooms…


    The city councel has decided (without consulting the neighborhood) to demolish the building and build exclusive lofts and offices, enclosing the little green that is left. Because the real estate business has gone besurk in the area, the city of Antwerp is going for the cash which will result in an architectural, social and ecological disaster.

    We will try and create an English section about the project on our website soon:
    http://www.redhetzeemanshuis.be/
    which our the campaign website

    www.youtube.com/zeemanshuis
    containing the video project

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/58167082@N00/
    some nice pictures of the building

    I hope you can get the picture and spread the word!

    Tnx